skills/songtekst-schrijven/references/structuur.md

# Song structure and length

## Common forms

| Form | Sections | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| Short toast | Couplet, Refrein, Couplet, Refrein | a 1 minute surprise, a voice message, a video clip |
| Classic pop | Couplet 1, Refrein, Couplet 2, Refrein, Brug, Refrein | birthdays, weddings, farewells |
| Story song | Couplet 1, Couplet 2, Refrein, Couplet 3, Refrein, Outro | a life story, a retirement, a memorial |
| Rap | Hook, Verse 1 (8 to 16 bars), Hook, Verse 2, Hook | roasts, teams, school projects |
| Club or team chant | Refrein, Couplet, Refrein, Refrein | sports clubs, company parties |

A pre-chorus (2 lines that build up to the chorus) helps when the verse and chorus feel disconnected.

## How long will it be?

Measured on 86 finished songs: sung length is about 45 seconds plus 0.72 seconds per sung word. Section tags do not count as words.

| Sung words | Expected length |
|---|---|
| 60 | about 1:30 |
| 100 | about 2:00 |
| 150 | about 2:35 |
| 200 | about 3:10 |
| 250 | about 3:45 |

Tempo, long instrumental parts and repeated lines change this. Treat it as a planning guide.

## Line length

- Pop and ballads: 6 to 10 syllables per line is comfortable.
- Up-tempo pop and schlager: 7 to 9 syllables, very regular.
- Rap: 10 to 16 syllables per bar is normal; rhyme inside the line as well as at the end.
- Lines above 14 syllables in a sung genre are usually rushed or cut.

## Rhyme in Dutch

- Full rhyme: the last stressed vowel and everything after it sound the same ("staan" en "gaan", "dromen" en "komen").
- End consonants that sound alike count: g and ch ("dag" en "lach"), d and t ("hand" en "kant").
- Half rhyme (same vowel, different consonant: "lachen" en "wachten") works fine in pop and rap and sounds more natural than a forced full rhyme.
- Common schemes: AABB (cheerful, simple), ABAB (more song-like), XAXA (only lines 2 and 4 rhyme; the most forgiving).

## Singability checks

- Read the chorus aloud at speaking pace. If you stumble, a singer will too.
- Avoid stacks of consonants at line ends ("herfst", "ergst") on long held notes.
- Write numbers and years out the way they are sung ("negentienhonderdzestig").
- Give unusual names a pronunciation hint in a note for the user, not inside the lyrics.