Describe the structure of your song
Map the structure of your song by labeling verses, chorus, bridge, and intro; create a simple diagram and explain each part clearly.
Step-by-step guide to map the structure of your song
Step 1
Choose one song you want to map.
Step 2
Play the song all the way through once to hear the whole piece.
Step 3
Play the song again from the start.
Step 4
Clap each time you hear a new part begin like an intro verse chorus or bridge.
Step 5
Pause the music after a clap and write the exact time in minutes and seconds on a sticky note.
Step 6
Label each sticky note as Intro Verse Chorus Bridge or Outro.
Step 7
Draw a straight horizontal timeline on your paper using your ruler and pencil.
Step 8
Mark each sticky note time on the timeline and draw a block for each section showing how long it lasts.
Step 9
Color-code each block with different colors so verses chorus bridge and intro are easy to see.
Step 10
Write one short sentence under each block explaining what happens there for example melody mood or lyrics.
Step 11
Play the song again and follow your timeline to check that each label and block matches what you hear.
Step 12
Share your finished diagram and explanation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use instead of sticky notes, a ruler, or colored markers if we don't have them?
Use small squares of scrap paper taped to the page for sticky notes, a straight edge like a book or the edge of a cereal box for the ruler when drawing the timeline, and swap markers for crayons or colored pencils to color-code each block after you write the minute:second times.
I keep missing the exact moment a new part starts when I clap—how can I fix that?
If the change is easy to miss, pause and rewind a few seconds after you clap, listen again to confirm the transition, then write the exact minute:second time on your sticky note before marking it on the timeline.
How can I change the activity for younger or older kids?
For younger kids, simplify by just clapping, color-blocking the timeline, and labeling Intro/Verse/Chorus without writing minute:second times, while older kids can add precise timestamps, a one-sentence description under each block about melody or lyrics, and compare structures of two songs.
What are some ways to extend or personalize the song structure diagram?
Enhance the project by drawing small icons or pasting lyric snippets under each colored block, recording yourself clapping at each change and attaching the audio to your DIY.org post, or mapping a second song beneath the first to compare their structures visually.
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Facts about songwriting for kids
⏱️ Hit pop songs typically run about 3–4 minutes, influencing how long each section usually lasts.
🎸 Bridges introduce a new melody or chord change to add contrast before the final chorus.
🎵 Most modern pop songs follow a Verse–Chorus–Verse–Chorus–Bridge–Chorus layout, which keeps listeners engaged.
🔁 Repetition—especially of the chorus—helps listeners learn and sing along with a song.
🎤 The chorus often contains the song's title and the catchiest hook so people remember it quickly.
How do I map the structure of my song and label intro, verses, chorus and bridge?
What materials do I need to create a simple song-structure diagram?
What ages is mapping a song's structure suitable for?
What are the benefits and fun variations of mapping a song's structure?
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