Q&A for How to Write a Ballad

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How long should a ballad be?

Jelke de Jong

Community Answer

Usually you can stick to 3-5 minutes as a good estimate, but as with most things in music, you can make it as extreme as you want to, so if it's your aspiration to write a 15 minutes long ballad, go ahead!

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Question

What are some good topics for a ballad?

Community Answer

Love is the topic that seems to make the best ballads. Consider these ballads: Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You, Bryan Adams' (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, and Céline Dion's My Heart Will Go On. They are all about love and all number one hits.

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Question

How many stanzas can you have in a ballad?

Community Answer

Usually, four or eight stanzas are in a ballad, including the refrain/chorus. However, there are no set rules. You can have as few or as many as you like.

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Question

Do ballads follow syllabic rules?

Community Answer

Generally, ballads follow a simple syllabic pattern. You will know when your ballad doesn't follow your specific syllabic pattern, as it will sound out of time and not flow. You should be able to say your ballad with ease.

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Question

Do you have any tips for beginning a ballad about murder?

Community Answer

You have to have a good story line and then go to a rhyming dictionary and just write a rhyming story.

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Question

Why do I need a guitar?

Community Answer

You don't need a guitar. You just need your voice to sing it. You can use other instruments aside from guitar. Experiment and find out what's best for you.

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Question

What instrument do you play for the ballad?

Community Answer

Any instrument you want that is not electronic (with exceptions). Unless you are playing in the backup band, you would need to play an instrument you can play while singing at the same time. An acoustic guitar is the most common, but a mandolin or squeezebox is another popular option.

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Question

Can a ballad be in a pop or indie style, or does it have to be in a country/folk style?

RandoFactWiz

Community Answer

A ballad is quite versatile and can be composed in any style. You can incorporate dramatic synths, common pop chord arrangements, or experiment with elements from other types of music.

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Question

What is the rhyme scheme for a ballad?

Caitlyn Barden

Community Answer

Most ballads are written in an ABAB rhyme scheme, meaning lines one and three rhyme, and lines two and four rhyme.

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Question

Can I write a 19-minute metal ballad that sounds like two different songs overlapping?

Community Answer

If it still sounds like a coherent song, go for it! That could be a very unique and cool approach.

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Question

What is the main idea of a ballad?

Caitlyn Barden

Community Answer

Ballads are narrative poems that tell stories, unlike lyric poems, which focus on the emotions of the speaker.

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Question

How do I prevent my ballad from becoming boring or uninteresting?

RandoFactWiz

Community Answer

Experiment by adding new instruments, changing the vocal melody, or incorporating an instrument solo. Solos can be powerful in ballads. Adding a bridge can also make your ballad more interesting.

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