Lyricology: Perfect Song Structure and Beat Selection! from Udemy

This course is designed to help aspiring hip-hop artists to perfect their understanding of song structure and how to pick out the best beats possible for their musical expression. This course will cover:

Counting your bars
The standard formats for a typical hip hop song
Basic concepts of rapping on beat
How to pick the best instrumentals for your sound
Feeling the music and using that to write more heartfelt music
Establishing a sound that fits the style you want to develop

This course is perfect for beginners, but I feel that ALL artists will be able to grab something from this course. My goal with this courses (and all of my courses) is to teach you these concepts, then get you to experiment with these concepts and develop your own unique style out of what you've learned. I want to pull you out of your comfort zone.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Count out beats and bars
Write perfectly structure songs
Recite lyrics perfectly to an instrumental
Select the best instrumentals for songwriting

Determine the speed of your instrumentals
Understand how to feel the music you're writing to
Find what fits you and the sound you desire

Count out beats and bars
Write perfectly structure songs
Recite lyrics perfectly to an instrumental
Select the best instrumentals for songwriting
Determine the speed of your instrumentals
Understand how to feel the music you're writing to
Find what fits you and the sound you desire

Syllabus

Course Introduction

This lecture is set to prepare you for what we'll be covering in this course.

Students will know how to understand the structure of all instrumentals through counting beats and bars in order to write better material.

This is an introduction to the upcoming lecture.

This lecture will go over how to count out beats to form complete bars in an instrumental.
Students will be able to understand how bars are structured and apply counting techniques to every type of instrumental.
Students will also learn the importance of the use of a metronome in songwriting.
Students will learn why counting bars are an important aspect of songwriting.

Students will be tested in their understanding of the lecture material.

Students will know how to structure a song by understanding the purpose and structure of Verses, Choruses, Bridges, etc.

This Lecture will go over the standard structure of hip hop music.
Students will learn the purpose of a verse, chorus, intro, outro, bridge and pre-chorus.
Students will learn the reason for using these elements in songwriting.

Students will get an introductory understanding of how to recite their lyrics to instrumentals.

This lecture will give a basic breakdown of what "flowing" is.
Students will know how to fill a bar with lyrics.
Students will know how to write full and partial bars.

This lecture will cover writing structure techniques know as couplets and quatrains.
Students will also get some small examples of future techniques that will be featured in upcoming courses.

There are 2 downloadable PDFs attached with this lecture.

Students will understand the types of instrumentals they can use for their music.

Students will understand how to determine the different types of instrumentals.
Students will learn BPMs (beats per minute)
Students will understand the speed associated with each type instrumentals.
Students will learn how the speed of an instrumental can effect their approach to songwriting.

You will be quizzed on the previously covered materials.

Students will understand how to make a connection with their instrumentals.

This lecture will go over connecting with your instrumental.
Students will learn how to feel their instrumental.
Students will understand the meaning of tone in an instrumental.
Students will learn what happens when you don't fit the tone of an instrumental.

Students will learn how to find instrumentals that fit their writing/musical style.

This lecture will go over finding the right instrumentals for your style.
Students will learn to open their mind for selecting different types of instrumentals.
Students will learn how to pick instrumentals that are GOOD for your sound.
Students will learn to find inspiration through different genres of music.

This will be a small review of the material in this course

This is review of all of the previously covered material.

You will be tested on the all of previously covered material.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches core fundamentals in songwriting for those interested in hip hop music

Devised for both aspiring and practicing hip hop artists

Emphasizes counting beats and bars, song structuring, rapping techniques, instrumental selection, and music interpretation

Provides hands-on exercises and guidance to encourage experimentation and development of unique styles

Taught by an experienced and recognized instructor in hip hop music

Requires familiarity with basic hip hop terminology and concepts

Reviews summary

Engaging lyrical strategies

According to students, this course offers an engaging look at modern music techniques with a clear focus on song structure and beat selection. Learners describe the instructor as particularly helpful and knowledgeable.

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Lyricology: Perfect Song Structure and Beat Selection! with these activities:

Organize your course notes and assignments

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Getting your digital notes and assignments in order can help you better retain the information you've learned

Browse courses on Note-Taking

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Gather all of your course notes, assignments, and other materials
Create a system for organizing your materials so that you can easily find what you need

Read up on hip hop history

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Examining the history of hip hop will paint a clearer picture of its roots and origins

View Can't Stop Won't Stop (Young Adult Edition): A... on Amazon

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Identify a book on hip hop history
Read the book and take notes on key events and figures

Collaborate with other artists

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Working with other artists can help you learn from different perspectives and styles

Browse courses on Collaboration

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Reach out to other artists in your local area or online
Set up a collaboration session to work on a song together

Three other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all six activities

Learn a new beatmaking software

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Expanding your skillset with a new software can sharpen your ability to craft beats

Browse courses on Digital Audio Workstation

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Research different beatmaking software options
Choose a software that fits your needs and budget
Watch tutorials and read documentation to learn the software's features

Participate in a rap battle or freestyle competition

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Testing your skills in a competitive environment can push you to improve

Browse courses on Stage Presence

Show steps

Find a rap battle or freestyle competition in your area
Prepare your material and practice your performance

Create a full-length mixtape or EP

Show steps

This project will allow you to synthesize everything you've learned in this course

Browse courses on Music Production

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Plan the concept and theme of your mixtape or EP
Write and record your songs
Mix and master your tracks

Career center

Learners who complete Lyricology: Perfect Song Structure and Beat Selection! will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Music Producer

Music Producers oversee the creation and production of musical content. They work with artists and musicians to bring songs to life, and they play a key role in shaping the sound and direction of an album or track. This course can help Music Producers to develop a deep understanding of song structure and beat selection, which will enable them to create more engaging and cohesive tracks. The course will also help Music Producers to work more effectively with artists and musicians, as they will be able to communicate their ideas more clearly and articulate their vision for a song.

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Songwriter

Songwriters create the lyrics and melodies for songs. They work in a variety of genres, including pop, rock, hip-hop, and country. This course can help Songwriters to develop a deep understanding of song structure and beat selection, which will enable them to write more engaging and cohesive songs. The course will also help Songwriters to find their own unique voice and style, as they will be able to experiment with different techniques and approaches.

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Recording Engineer

Recording Engineers are responsible for capturing and recording audio signals. They work in a variety of settings, including studios, concert halls, and live events. This course can help Recording Engineers to develop a strong understanding of song structure and beat selection, which will enable them to make better decisions about how to capture and record music. The course will also help Recording Engineers to work more effectively with artists and musicians, as they will be able to understand their needs and provide them with the technical support they need.

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Lyricist

Lyricists write the words for songs. They work with composers and musicians to create the lyrics that will be sung. This course can help Lyricists to develop a deep understanding of song structure and beat selection, which will enable them to write lyrics that are both meaningful and memorable. The course will also help Lyricists to find their own unique voice and style, as they will be able to experiment with different techniques and approaches.

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Musician

Musicians perform music on a variety of instruments. They work in a variety of settings, including bands, orchestras, and solo performances. This course can help Musicians to develop a deep understanding of song structure and beat selection, which will enable them to perform more effectively and expressively. The course will also help Musicians to work more effectively with other musicians, as they will be able to understand their roles and contributions.

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Singer

Singers perform songs using their voices. They work in a variety of genres, including pop, rock, hip-hop, and country. This course can help Singers to develop a deep understanding of song structure and beat selection, which will enable them to sing more effectively and expressively. The course will also help Singers to find their own unique voice and style, as they will be able to experiment with different techniques and approaches.

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Music Teacher

Music Teachers teach music to students of all ages. They work in a variety of settings, including schools, community centers, and private studios. This course can help Music Teachers to develop a deep understanding of song structure and beat selection, which will enable them to teach their students more effectively. The course will also help Music Teachers to find new and innovative ways to engage their students with music.

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Music Therapist

Music Therapists use music to help people improve their physical, mental, and emotional health. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and schools. This course can help Music Therapists to develop a deep understanding of song structure and beat selection, which will enable them to use music more effectively in their work. The course will also help Music Therapists to understand the different ways that music can be used to promote healing and well-being.

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Audio Engineer

Audio Engineers work with sound and audio equipment to create and record music. They work in a variety of settings, including studios, concert halls, and live events. This course can help Audio Engineers to develop a strong understanding of song structure and beat selection, which will enable them to make better decisions about how to record and mix music. The course will also help Audio Engineers to work more effectively with artists and musicians, as they will be able to understand their needs and provide them with the technical support they need.

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Music Journalist

Music Journalists write about music for a variety of publications, including magazines, newspapers, and websites. This course can help Music Journalists to develop a deep understanding of song structure and beat selection, which will enable them to write more informed and insightful articles about music. The course will also help Music Journalists to understand the different ways that music can be used to communicate and express ideas.

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Record Label Executive

Record Label Executives oversee the operations of record labels. They work with artists, producers, and other members of the music industry to develop and release music. This course can help Record Label Executives to develop a deep understanding of song structure and beat selection, which will enable them to make better decisions about which artists and music to sign. The course will also help Record Label Executives to understand the different ways that music can be marketed and promoted.

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Music Manager

Music Managers represent and manage the careers of musicians. They work with artists to develop their careers, book tours, and negotiate contracts. This course can help Music Managers to develop a deep understanding of song structure and beat selection, which will enable them to better understand the needs of their clients and help them to achieve their goals. The course will also help Music Managers to understand the different ways that music can be used to build a successful career.

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Music Promoter

Music Promoters promote music and events to the public. They work with artists, record labels, and venues to create and execute marketing campaigns. This course can help Music Promoters to develop a deep understanding of song structure and beat selection, which will enable them to create more effective marketing campaigns. The course will also help Music Promoters to understand the different ways that music can be used to reach and engage audiences.

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Music Librarian

Music Librarians organize and maintain music collections. They work in a variety of settings, including libraries, universities, and archives. This course can help Music Librarians to develop a deep understanding of song structure and beat selection, which will enable them to catalog and organize music collections more effectively. The course will also help Music Librarians to understand the different ways that music can be used for research and education.

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Music Archivist

Music Archivists preserve and protect music collections. They work in a variety of settings, including libraries, universities, and museums. This course can help Music Archivists to develop a deep understanding of song structure and beat selection, which will enable them to better understand the music they are preserving and protecting. The course will also help Music Archivists to learn about the different ways that music can be used to document and preserve history.

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