Lesson 1: SONG STRUCTURE
Duration of Days: 4
Lesson Objective
Students will identify common song structures and chord progression patterns used in contemporary music.
How are popular songs organized?
What makes a song feel complete?
How do chord progressions support song structure?
Verse, chorus, bridge, chord progression, structure, repetition, hook
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Students identify patterns, analyze structure, and explain relationships.
Students analyze song structures and common chord progression patterns.
DOK 1: Students identify sections and chord patterns within songs.
DOK 2: Students describe how song sections function within musical structure.
DOK 3: Students analyze how chord progressions and repetition support musical form.
DOK 4: Students independently apply structural concepts within original songwriting.
Popular music across genres commonly uses repeated forms and recognizable chord structures.
Students may think songwriting is completely random rather than structurally organized.
Graphic organizers, guided listening, collaborative analysis, and visual chord progression charts
DOK 1: Students identify verses, choruses, and bridges in musical examples.
DOK 2: Students describe how sections function within songs.
DOK 3: Students explain how chord progressions shape song structure.
DOK 4: Students independently apply structural ideas during songwriting activities.