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LYR 220 Creating Lyrical Contrast
Instructor: Sara Light

Lesson Two
Contrast Using Rhyme Patterns

Lesson Objective
During this lesson you will: Lesson Introduction
As a lyricist, you must choose how and when to incorporate rhyme into each section of your lyric, thereby creating a rhyme pattern or rhyme scheme. A typical musical section (e.g., one verse or one chorus) in pop, country, R&B and other radio-friendly formats has about eight to twelve measures of music. This translates into approximately four to six lines of lyric. The rhyme pattern, therefore, is the placement of your rhymes within these four to six lines.  This lesson will focus specifically on ways to successfully incorporate rhyme patterns to help keep the lyric fresh as well as distinguish the different sections from each other.
Lesson Content
What is a rhyme pattern? A rhyme pattern is the placement of a rhyme within a section of music. Typically, we use the letters "A," "B," "C", etc., to label the lines that rhyme. Look at the following verse example and notice how the lines that are marked "A" rhyme with each other and the ones marked with "B" rhyme with each other:

You make my heart beat fast enough to race  A
A marathon in record pace   A
I get so hot when I’m with you   B
I could light a barbeque   B

The above rhyme pattern can therefore be referred to as an A-A-B-B pattern where the first two lines of the verse rhyme and the second two lines of the verse rhyme. Let’s look at an example of another rhyme pattern, taken from the song "Deep River" (Light/Ramirez):

Don't try to tame her, she follows her heart  A
She'll take you where you've never been   B
You can try to resist her, but know from the start   A
In the end you'll love giving in   B

This rhyme pattern, in which the first and third lines rhyme and the second and fourth lines rhyme, can therefore be referred to as an A-B-A-B pattern.  If the first and third lines rhyme, but the second and fourth do not, that would be called an A-B-A-C pattern.

Exercise #1:


Exercise #2:



When can we vary a rhyme pattern? It is important to note that, unlike rhyme sounds, the rhyme pattern you establish in a particular section of your song must remain the same for every similar section. In other words, if you establish an A-A-B-B pattern in the first verse, you must repeat this pattern in the second verse and all other verses. The reason for this is because the rhyme pattern is completely connected to the music that goes with it. In other words, the phrasing of the rhyme words is linked with the phrasing of the musical lines. Since every verse has by definition the same music, it must also have the same rhyme pattern.

How do we vary a rhyme pattern? It is refreshing and interesting to vary the rhyme pattern in different sections of your lyric. If, for example, you have established an A-A-B-B pattern in your verses, it is a good idea to vary that pattern in your chorus. You may choose to use an A-A-A-A pattern in the chorus, where all the lines rhyme. As you become more familiar with different kinds of rhymes, you can come up with numerous rhyme patterns. If you vary the rhyme pattern between sections you are adding variety and interest as the song progresses. If there are other distinct sections of your song (e.g., a bridge), you can use other contrasting rhyme patterns for them as well.

Exercise #3:

Also, be aware that rhyme patterns can get more intricate and interesting with the use of internal and extended rhymes (see my course on advanced rhyme).

Lesson Summary
The placement of your rhymes or rhyme pattern can be varied to create contrast between distinct sections of your song.


Putting It All Together

Try your hand at varying the rhyme pattern by finishing the chorus section of the following lyric.   The rhyme pattern of the verse is A-A-B-B.   Change the rhyme pattern in the chorus to create contrast between the verse and the chorus.   What is the contrasting rhyme pattern of your finished chorus?

Verse
Close your eyes and hold me tight
I’ll love you every day and night
Baby, no one else in the world will do
I’m totally lost in love with you

Chorus
You are the one for me
(Write at least three more lines...)

Post Your Solution (not active for sample)

End Of Lesson