Tag: form

Tip #140 – Cheat-Sheet for Optimum Places of Turnarounds

Previously, we have talked about the idea of forming and crafting a turnaround in a song. But where and when is the best place to have one? You certainly don’t want to overuse the effect of a turnaround.

Below, I have made a little cheat-sheet of what most arrangers to my knowledge consider to be the best place to put a turnaround section (depending on the form/structure of the song):

Thank you so much for taking the time to read! Feel free to comment, share, and subscribe for more daily tips below! Till next time.

Tip #139 – Checklist for a Well-Crafted Turnaround

What is a turnaround?

A turnaround is typically a part of the song that occurs in specific places in the composition (depending on the form) and uses a specific kind of progression, independent of what was already in the song, to lead into the first chord of a new section.

That being said, we can think of making one like using a checklist. Some aspects you might want to include to make a strong turnaround is having it:

  • Located where the melody is sustained or not existent
  • Use substituted progressions
  • Be independent of the “melody” (if there is one)
  • Possibly restate thematic material

With these aspects in mind, you can look over a turnaround section that you made and self-evaluate if it did the job or not. But that being said, no rules in music should be followed if you don’t want to. This is all here for you to try out with.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read! Feel free to comment, share, and subscribe for more daily tips below! Till next time.

Tip #70 – Crafting with Asymmetrical Timelined Phrases

Take a look at the example below and figure out of there are any patterns:

You may have noticed that the middle staff if a 2-bar phrase that is repeated over and over again. Also, you may have realized that the staff at the bottom is a 1-bar figure played like an ostinato.

Everything looks even enough in the typical grouping you would expect for any composition until we look at the top staff. Surprisingly, it is at 5-bar phrase that doesn’t match-up as neatly as the other grouping.

These different lengths of repeated phrases within a structure create an asymmetric timeline for when everything will repeat and land back in sync.

Experiment with different phrase lengths that don’t match exactly with one another. Also, you can use some cool phasing techniques to develop lines!


Thank you so much for taking the time to read! Feel free to comment, share, and subscribe for more daily tips below! Till next time.

Tip #52 – Framing with a 16-Bar Blues

Opposite to shortening the standard blues structure, there is also the option of lengthening it. By adding another 4 measures, you get a full 16-bar blues that has a sense of completion and symmetry more commonly found in classical-based music.

Below are some variations of the harmonic progression in a 16-bar framework that you can play around with:

Once again, this is just a beginning frame. You can most certainly experiment with substituting chords and changing other factors. Like how an artists needs a canvas to first structure their genius, so does a composer.


Thank you so much for taking the time to read! Feel free to comment, share, and subscribe for more daily tips below! Till next time.

Tip #51 – Framing with an 8-Bar Blues

Continuing with the topic of blues, there is an other option – an abridged version – of the 12-bar blues structure. In the progressive development of rock music in the 50’s and 60’s, many artists began writing songs using the commonly available blues chords and harmonic movement… but in a short 8 measure cycle.

Below are some various harmonic progressions that are commonly found in sounds that are built off of the 8-bar blues structure:

Once again, this is just a beginning frame. You can most certainly experiment with substituting chords and changing other factors. Like how an artists needs a canvas to first structure their genius, so does a composer.


Thank you so much for taking the time to read! Feel free to comment, share, and subscribe for more daily tips below! Till next time.

Tip #50 – Framing with a 12-Bar Blues

Maybe you have already heard the term “12-bar blues” before. On the other hand, maybe not. Anyways, as a little tip: you can use the 12-bar blues form as a beginning step to form the structure and harmonic progression of you musical composition.

The reason why it is called 12-bar blues is because… it takes place over 12 bars of measures and is commonly found in the blues style. Shocking, I know.

Below is the most common use form and harmonic progression of the 12-bar blues. Notice how each of the chords in the measure spaces are dominant chords, regardless as to if they are the I, IV, or V of the key.

Once again, this is just a beginning frame. You can most certainly experiment with substituting chords and changing other factors. Like how an artists needs a canvas to first structure their genius, so does a composer.


Thank you so much for taking the time to read! Feel free to comment, share, and subscribe for more daily tips below! Till next time.

Tip #26 – Three Ways to Develop your Parallel Period

For those that have a composition featuring a parallel period where the beginning section of the antecedent phrase mirrors exactly that of the start of the consequent phrase; this is your intervention. You don’t have to continue like this and repeat measures just to tell your listener that you are crafting a parallel period.

Whiling deriving the consequent phrase by exact identity to that of the antecedent is a sure way of getting a parallel period, there are other ways. Try transposing the opening subject and motifs up/down in transposition.

Another way is by extra embellishment to the lines.

Finally, the notes as well as the intervals of the figures can change, but keep the same contour, shape, and rhythm. The listener will still be able to tell the similarity from these kept variable aspects of the melodic line.


Thank you so much for taking the time to read! Feel free to comment, share, and subscribe for more daily tips below! Till next time.