WORKSHOP

Writing in a Musical Theatre Style / Lyrics

Writing in a Musical Theatre Style
Two real uses:
Telling a story through music. Listen to the 1. Schmuel song from the musical
the Last Five Years. It is a song that simply tells a story. What is happening in
the music?
Conveying emotion through music. Some songs in musical theatre do nothing
to advance the plot, theyre literally there just to make you feel what the actor
is feeling. 2. With You from Ghost is the perfect example of grief. 3. What is
this feeling shows humour. 4. Can you feel a brand new day from the Wiz is
all about joy.
11 OClock Number
Either a huge chorus number or a big solo number. Something to stop the
audience from getting bored. Something that the audiences will remember.
Watch the following two examples to see what their role is.
- 5. Roses Turn
- 6. Brotherhood of Man
- 7. The Life Ive Never Led (Reprise)

Stresses / Melisma / Opposite of Melisma / Rhyme Scheme

Stresses
Read the following blocks of lyrics. Where do the natural stresses of the
sentences go? In the case of monosyllabic words, which syllable has the
stress? UNDERLINE which parts of the sentence have the stresses.
You gotta go and get angry at all of my honesty
You know I try but I don't do too well with apologies
I hope I don't run out of time, could someone call the referee?
'Cause I just need one more shot at forgiveness
I know you know that I made those mistakes maybe once or twice
And by once or twice I mean maybe a couple a hundred times
So let me, oh let me redeem, oh redeem, oh myself tonight
'Cause I just need one more shot, second chances

Is it too late now to say sorry?

'Cause I'm missing more than just your body, oh
Is it too late now to say sorry?
Yeah, I know that I let you down
Is it too late to say I'm sorry now?
Hello, it's me
I was wondering if after all these years you'd like to meet
To go over everything
They say that time's supposed to heal ya
But I ain't done much healing
Hello, can you hear me
I'm in California dreaming about who we used to be
When we were younger and free
I've forgotten how it felt before the world fell at our feet
There's such a difference between us
And a million miles
Hello from the other side
I must have called a thousand times
To tell you I'm sorry for everything that I've done
But when I call you never seem to be home

When I am down and, oh, my soul, so weary;

When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up to more than I can be.

Listen to the songs (8, 9 & 10) that you just underlined. Did the songs
stress the same words as you? Why do you think that they decided to
stress different words?
Listen to the song 11. Unconditionally. Circle all of the times that the
words sound weird or when the stresses are on the wrong part of the
word, or the wrong part of the sentence.
Oh no, did I get too close?
Oh, did I almost see what's really on the inside?
All your insecurities
All the dirty laundry
Never made me blink one time
Unconditional, unconditionally
I will love you unconditionally
There is no fear now
Let go and just be free
I will love you unconditionally
Come just as you are to me
Don't need apologies
Know that you are worthy
I'll take your bad days with your good
Walk through the storm I would
I do it all because I love you, I love you
Unconditional, unconditionally
I will love you unconditionally
There is no fear now
Let go and just be free
I will love you unconditionally
So open up your heart and just let it begin
Open up your heart and just let it begin
Open up your heart and just let it begin
Open up your heart
Acceptance is the key to be
To be truly free
Will you do the same for me?
Unconditional, unconditionally
I will love you unconditionally
And there is no fear now
Let go and just be free
'Cause I will love you unconditionally (oh yeah)
I will love you (unconditionally)
I will love you

I will love you unconditionally

Do you like how it sounds? Do the strange stressing make
you feel something?
Sibelius Worksheet. Read the sentences. Wheres the
stresses? Which example A or B fits where your stresses
go? Do it the other way using the example. Does it work?
Write the words under the right notes.

Melisma
Circle the words that have more than one note.
12. If I should stay, I'll only be in your way
So I'll go, but I know I'll
Think of you every step of the way
And I will always love you
I will always love you
You, my darling you, hmmm,
13. Flowers fade, the fruit of summer fade
They have their seasons, so do we
But please promise me that sometimes
You will think
Ah Ah Ah Ah
Ah Ah Ah Ah
Of me!
Do you think that melisma adds anything to the song? Does it detract?
Do you like it?

Opposite of Melisma
This is very common in musical theatre. Lots of words and lots of notes.
Look at the example from Joseph. 14. Is it easy to read? Is it easy to
understand?
Have a listen to it and follow along. Where are the stresses? Does the
composer do anything to try and minimize the monotony of the rhythm?
Rhyme Schemes
ABAB
ABAB is a classic, often-used rhyme scheme with interlocking rhymes. Its
sometimes called alternate rhyme.
To write in the ABAB rhyme scheme:

Rhyme line 1 with line 3

Rhyme line 2 with line 4
Heres an example of ABAB in action, as written by William Shakespeare:
A
B
A
B

O, if I say, you look upon this verse,

When I, perhaps, compounded am with clay,
Do not so much as my poor name rehearse,
But let your love even with my life decay

This ABAB rhyme scheme is built into the famous poetic form called the
Shakespearean sonnet.
XAXA
This schemes a little unpredictable, because it has two lines that dont rhyme
with anything. This allows the writer (thats you!) a little more creative
freedom. The two non-rhymed lines allow you to focus on what you really
mean to say in your lyric.
To write in the XAXA rhyme scheme:
Rhyme line 2 with line 4
Make sure that lines 1 and 3 dont rhyme with each other or with any other
line
XAXA is the rhyme scheme followed by a traditional poetic form called the
ghazal.
AABB
This scheme divides a section of four lines into two rhymed couplets, each of
which sounds kind of complete in itself.
AAAA
This ones tough to pull off. To relieve monotony, you might try making some
of the lines much shorter than the othersvarying line length will make it
sound less predictable.
AXAA, or AAXA
One of the lines in each of these schemes is left hanging. This scheme
contains a bit of tension try it and see.
AAXA is found in the Persian poetic form called the rubai.
ABBA
A rhyming pair sandwiched inside of another rhyming pair. This schemes also
known as enclosed rhyme.
The AABA rhyme scheme is found in the poetic form called the Petrarchan
sonnet.
AXXA

Like XAXA above, AXXA allows the writer some extra creative freedom. The
two middle lines are unpredictable; they dont rhyme with each other or any
other line in the stanza.
This ones a personal favorite of mine; I like the way those two middle lines
keep the audience in suspense until the last line finally releases the tension.

TASK
Come up with lyrics and a melody for a song from a given chord
sequence. Lyrics should follow one of the rhyme schemes that
weve gone through. The stresses of the lyrics should make sense.
You can choose to use (check out the rhyme there) melisma if
you want or just use one note per syllable.