Originally Posted by ryantunes
Would the formulas noted here apply to most genres, or mainly Top 40 pop and country material? The reason for asking is that I have noticed in bluegrass and Americana, there are often 2 verses, then chorus. From there you might get an instrumental break, and then either back to the main verse, the chorus or a bridge into chorus.

On the length of a song, I could be wrong here, but I try to just go with the industry and 3-3:30 seems about "right" for that genre? Faster tempos might be shorter, stories longer. For those in and dealing with Nashville and/or that genre of music....would these be valid observations? Or does the 1 verse, 1 cho still apply regardless.

Thanks

Paul Ryan
www.ryantunes.com


Hi Paul

Yes they would apply to most genres especially those in popular music and main stream radio.

Bluegrass which isn't mainstream radio music of course would be different. They have there layouts as well but I can't imagine any pressure on anyone to worry about it too much. It's nice to have some liberties as well. I often take that out on my instrumentals. I know I have more freedom there. But even vocally
there is NO set rules for ANY song until you want someone else to BUY them so to speak.

Many songs will follow the same format but they don't HAVE to. That's the important thing to remember. There are only a few sensible variations anyway of course.. so finding the best one for each song is the key.

Yes any song is safe at the 3:30 mark regardless of what type.
Dance music can be longer and some rock songs can be a little longer also ballads in general are a touch longer.

I wouldn't care for a long Blue Grass song and would range them at 2- 3 minutes in general.
And I'm glad American Pie was a s long as it was lol...
Wouldn't remove one verse from that song... smile

Your safe Paul I'd make a few verse/verse/chorus/ a few
Verse/chorus/verse/chorus

If anyone is planning to market something the common sense thing to do is look at what is out there and see. If they make 6 minute songs than go six if it's 2 mins then go two.

Just try to make each song feel good,fresh to you... and fun or intriguing, challenging etc... That's the biggest thing to focus on.

Thanks!
Peace Mike
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