This performance is perfect. Jenny applies every trick in the book to improvise a funny song, and takes complete possession of the audience. She begins with “Won’t you be my koala ?” and here comes the romantic power ballad.
- The song structure is solid as can be: verse/verse/bridge/verse. No meandering whatsoever.
- “Won’t You Be My Koala?” (the thematic line) is placed at the top of each verse and left out of the bridge. This procedure is present in one of the games I teach students to play as they learn song structures.
- This thematic line is explored and heightened throughout the song, never veered away from or abandoned.
- Overall, the lyrics contain constant “relevant vocabulary” to the thematic line, which the audience finds Continue reading \”Simple Song Structure Hits Jackpot in Las Vegas\” »
This is an example of excitingly organic musical improv expertly tempered with solid technique to create a well-organized, theatrical piece. The sections are very clear:
A “preamble,” during which Lani fishes for a catchy idea that she can turn into a chorus. Then the “chorus” materializes, followed by A “spoken interlude” which launches cleanly into the recurrence of that chorus. A “bridge” section comes along and takes us climactically RIGHT back into a final section, the chorus. This time around, the chorus becomes a soaring conclusion to the song. Overall, it’s no particular “song form” or formula; it’s just
Continue reading Great Use of a Chorus in an Improvised Song
Getting Suggestions from the Audience
You need something to sing about, something to launch a song. The audience is going to give it to you. Here are sample questions you can use to get suggestions from them:
What’s a good reason to burst into song? What’s a word that begins with the letter T (any letter)? What’s the last thing you bought at a convenience store? What’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to you? How about some advice your mother gave you? Give us a natural phenomenon, like rain, or the Grand Canyon. What’s something that makes you
Continue reading That Reminds Me of a Song…
Imagine a train coming into the station-the engine is pulling a lot of cars, a lot of weight. It takes awhile for the train to come to a halt; it has to “start stopping” a certain amount of time before it actually does. This is analogous to the ending of a song. In order to bring a song comfortably and satisfyingly to a close, we need to do it gradually.
The longer the song, the longer the ending should be. A quick song can end quite abruptly and the audience doesn’t mind, as in a short children’s ditty like “London
Continue reading The Choo-Choo Train Theory
From concept to finished product, this unique guide shows the way to create lyrics that make audiences laugh. Clear, friendly style of instruction is entertaining and easy to understand.
It was written expressly for comedy writers who need to know how to build solidly-crafted lyrics that any composer can readily set to music. It also explains exactly how to proceed if you’re not already a comedy expert.
This is a cool gift for any aspiring or professional songwriter, and an unusual addition to any lyricist’s library.
Below is the table of contents and an excerpt of the book
Chapter
Continue reading How to Write Funny Lyrics: The Comedy Songwriting Manual
|
-
How to Write Funny Lyrics: The Comedy Songwriting Manual
From concept to finished product, this unique guide shows the way to create lyrics that make audiences laugh. Clear, friendly style of instruction is entertaining and easy to understand.
It was written expressly for comedy writers who need to know how to build solidly-crafted lyrics that any composer can readily set to music. It also explains exactly how to proceed if you’re not already a comedy expert.
This is a cool gift for any aspiring or professional songwriter, and an unusual addition to any lyricist’s library.
Below is the table of contents and an excerpt of the book
Chapter
Continue reading How to Write Funny Lyrics: The Comedy Songwriting Manual
|
