Boxes: Development Engine Flashcards
What is a main job of a songwriter?
Keep audience interested
What is the box theory of development?
Three boxes, the first is the smallest, the second is a little bigger, and the last is the biggest
What does the first box represent?
The song idea to be developed
Why are the second and third box bigger?
They contain the main idea from the first boxes, and a little bit more
What six questions are our best friends for developing inside the boxes?
Who, what, when, where, why, how— emphasis on who, when, and where
What is song form?
Verses, choruses, bridges, and pre-choruses
What is chorus function?
Reiterates the central idea — it means‘many people singing together’ — is easy to remember and sing, gathers meaning each time it is sung, and moves to a different level of reality, or a new level. It doesn’t change its words at all, or much, and doesn’t advance the story
What is bridge function?
Connects song sections, and like the chorus, moves to a different level of reality.
What is pre-chorus function?
Links verse and chorus — a mini-bridge
What is verse function?
Provides the overall story or feeling of the song, the basic information
What is the difference between a refrain and a chorus?
A refrain is a repeated line anywhere in a song; while a chorus is lines, plural, always after a verse, that moves the song to a different level of reality
