Songwriting Evaluation (Sample)

 

'Song Title’

Words and Music: 'Song Writer's Name' 

 

Overall Song Rating: 6/10 (sample) 

 

- Remembering that a ‘6’ can easily become an ‘8’ with a little re-writing -

 

1. Hook               ‘A catchy melody with catchy lyrics that grab you the first time you hear it’, the kind of fish (people) that you’re trying to catch determines the kind of hook you use (write).

Rating: 7/10 (sample) 

Suggestions:

 

2. Chorus            ‘The ‘bait’ that goes on the hook, the substance, usually 4-8 lines, it uses the hook repetitively, and the melody usually sits in a higher range than the verse, and most often has more intensity’.

Rating: 7/10  (sample)                                                                    

Suggestions:

 

 

3. Verse              ‘Contains the meat, substance of the song, it must carry STRONG emotions, if you the writer don’t feel it, no one else will. The verse usually has anywhere from 4 to 16 lines or an odd number of lines if you want it to feel unstable’.

Rating: 6/10  (sample) 

Suggestions:

 

4. Pre-Chorus    ‘A different musical statement that follows the verse, usually 2 - 4 lines, that leads you or propels you into the chorus. Make sure the pre-chorus builds in intensity so much that you can’t stop there but have to sing the following chorus!’

Rating: 6/10 (sample) 

Suggestions:

 

5. Bridge             ‘A connector from the bulk of the song to the final choruses… Often its starts lower in melody then builds up, sometimes it has one or two powerful hooks that repeat over and over with different lyrics. Bridges usually employ altered chords and rhythm patterns to bring freshness to the song and again the bridge MUST force or thrust you back into the final Choruses’.

Rating: 5/10 (sample) 

Suggestions:

 

6. Lyrical Content ‘Fresh is the word! Make sure you’re attempting to use alternative words to say the same thing, your lines need substance, they need to say something and communicate to the soul, imagination and heart of the listener.       

Rating: 7/10  (sample) 

Suggestions:

 

7. Chord Structure/Arrangements ‘The type or colour of chords and rhythms that you use can make or break a song. Keep pushing the boundaries for brand new chord structures, inversions and rhythm patterns. Mix and co-write with other musicians to ensure a variety of arrangements at the same time keeping it simple enough for the average musician to play it’.

Rating:  6/10  (sample) 

Suggestions: 

 

8. Key/Pitch Range ‘Who is going to sing or lead your song? This will determine the key you select and pitch range you choose. Generally congregations can only reach as low as ‘G#’ below middle ‘C’ and as high as ‘F’ an octave and a half above middle ‘C’; these are the extremities.

Rating:  7/10  (sample) 

Suggestions: 

 

9. Dynamic Contrast ‘The melody range of the verse should vary somewhat in pitch range to the chorus. A elevating melody range always pulls people into the song.

Rating:  7/10  (sample) 

Suggestions: 

 

10. Vivid Pictures ‘Can you SEE what you are singing? If you don’t get vivid pictures when you sing –see your song, nobody else will. Do everything you can to create very dramatic pictures in your phrases and statements throughout the song. Create a story, not just abstract statements strung together’.

Rating:  6/10  (sample) 

Suggestions: 

 

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