Rhythm This is an essential component to any song, and it’s important that you choose the right rhythm for yours. Many beats use a 4/4 time signature, which means that there are four beats per measure and each one lasts four seconds. Other time signatures include 2/4 and 3/4. Some musical genres, such as reggae, use beats that are deliberately played off rhythm. The chart below provides some common time signatures and examples of songs that use them: Time signature Example song 3/4 “Drift Off To Dream” by Travis Tritt 4/4 “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift 6/8 “We Are The Champions” by Queen Melody The other essential component of a pop song is its melody. Pick a musical key, such as C, G, or A, and begin composing scales in both major and minor. Generally, songs in a major key are considered to be happier, more hopeful, or more upbeat, while minor songs are sadder or more contemplative. Your melody should align with the lyrics and general message of your song. However, many songwriters choose to alternate between major and minor keys for an interesting effect. Title The title of your song should be short and should give a general sense of what your song is about. Come up with a list of questions suggested by your title, and then see whether or not your lyrics them. For instance, if your title is a name—”Cathy Rae”—some questions might be: * Who is Cathy Rae? * What is she like? * What did she do? * Why is she important? * How does the singer know her?