How do I start writing a ballad?

Start with a key phrase...

...that pops into your head,

...or strikes you when somebody says it,

...and is connected with something you feel strongly about.

 

It may be a line of melody or words, or both.

Grab a tape recorder (or your computer mike)

and save this rough fragment immediately.

Build on this phrase.

Images related to the phrase

Similar phrases

Rhyming words

A tune that fits the phrase

What rhymes with the key phrase?

Do these rhyming phrases trigger more images?

 

Construct verses.

Most usual is 4 lines, with the 2nd line rhyming with the last.

Arrange the verses into sequence.

 

Cobble together more verses to make a story.

The initial fill-in verses may be Yuk! but they give your imagination a framework.

Sing them over and over until, days (months?) later, better words come to you.

 

Keep going over the song.

Evolve the tune by chanting the verses.

Are any of those chord sequences in Lesson 1 suitable?

Rewrite the cobbled phrases; with repeated singing, natural phrases will come.

 

Do some editing.

Throw out unnecessary verses.

Add a chorus.

...or a refrain, or instrumental break.

Or turn the verse with that initial key phrase into a chorus.

The chorus gives the audience time to absorb the storyline...

...and lets them release all the emotions you have aroused in their souls.

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Q&A: Question: (1/19/2012) wat do u do if u have a very good phrase but u cannot find a suitable rhyming word????? ???? (2/2/2012)     Answer has been submitted and is awaiting approval. Question: (1/19/2012) wat is the easiest thing to write about?????? Question: (8/29/2011) how can i start my ballad Answer: (8/30/2011) read the page Question: (6/21/2011) can you give me an example of a ballad Answer: (8/12/2011) Ballad of the Triangle Fire In the heart of New York City, near Washington Square In nineteen eleven, March winds were cold and bare. A fire broke out in a building ten stories high, And a hundred and forty-six young girls in those flames did die. On the top floor of that building, ten stories in the air These young girls were working in an old sweatshop there; They were sewing shirtwaists for a very low wage. So tired and pale and worn-out! They were at a tender age. The sweatshop was a stuffy room with but a single door; The windows they were gray with dust from off that dirty floor; There were no comforts, no fresh air, no light to sew thereby, And the girls, they toiled from early morn till darkness filled the sky. Then on that fateful day — dear God, most terrible of days! When that fire broke out, it grew into a mighty blaze. In that firetrap way up there with but a single door, So many innocent working girls burned, to live no more! A hundred thousand mourners, they followed those sad biers. The streets were filled with people weeping bitter tears. Poets, writers everywhere described that awful pyre, When those young girls were trapped to die in the Triangle Fire. Question: (4/24/2011) whats a key phrase Question: (4/6/2011) What's a ballad? Answer: (5/11/2011) A ballad is a type of poem that tells what has happend in the past or what's currently happening. Answer: (5/2/2011) a poem that tells a story Answer: (4/22/2011) how to start off like an example Answer: (4/18/2011) a song likepoem Answer: (4/7/2011) a ballad is a poem that tells a story Question: (3/16/2011) how do u write the ballar and what can u write it about Answer: (1/13/2012) You can write about anything you want or pops in your head! Answer: (5/2/2011) Try something silly or sad these are always easy to think about. Answer: (4/7/2011) you can write a ballad about someone is life time Question: (3/13/2011) what format do you use to write a balled? Answer: (5/2/2011) Try using stanzas Answer: (4/7/2011) you have to stick to the rhyming scheme Answer: (3/21/2011) Ballads have 4 lines in each verse. Each line needs to have the same ammount of beats in it. A good ammount of beats per line is 10. Question: (3/13/2011) whats a ballad? Answer: (9/19/2011) Exampe of ballad Answer: (4/7/2011) a ballad is a poem that tells a story Question: (2/24/2011) help make a ballad about barney ...More Questions/Answers...		Comments: unknown (1/19/2012) this is the best website to go to for help on ballads thks :D Boo Bop (1/1/2012) Wow thanks so much! Marlene (6/30/2011) Thank you so much! The other sites weren't very helpful... And now I'll be able to write another type of poem! W!LDG00NB0! (5/3/2011) this ballad writing stuff is kinda hard makala (5/2/2011) i love this site i am so going to get a good grade in english THANKS Kira (4/6/2011) Thanks this was really helpful! now I wont fail on my work. brittany (3/16/2011) how do you write a ballrd on something that is dead and u dont know anything about highv0ltage (2/13/2011) Thnks a lot really useful now i won't fail english class. Elizabeth (5/10/2010) i love this site to! it saved me from the worst grade in my poetry class! MALLORY (2/25/2010) omg i love this site so so so much i couldn't through this without you! terrance (2/3/2010) This helped so muchh!!!! mo'nique (11/29/2009) this helps alot Jaime (6/27/2009) I thought I was going to fail... Now...Not so much...FINGERS CROSSED!!!!!! fisha (5/18/2009) this site is the best site! my teacher is going to use it for our next assignment thanks fish (5/17/2009) this site almost gave me an A+ isaiha (5/7/2009) this got me a good grade in language arts. it helps Smith (5/6/2009) That helped me a lot Ralonda (5/3/2009) Thanks..I REALLY needed your help without this i would have never knew. Shavaughn (4/5/2009) This seriously helped me! Thanks so much! Without this, I would have probably failed! Katie (4/4/2009) I wasn't sure how to write a ballad and this site really helps! Thanks