Songwriting Structure Template — Verse / Chorus / Bridge Bar Counts PDF
Section-by-section songwriting template — bar counts, lyric line counts, rhyme scheme, chord progression, and hook ideas for verse / pre-chorus / chorus / bridge form. Free printable.
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Write the form first, write the words later — bars and rhymes are scaffolding
Songwriting stalls when writers try to start with *the perfect lyric*. Working songwriters do the opposite: they pick a form (intro / verse / pre-chorus / chorus / verse / pre-chorus / chorus / bridge / chorus is a Top-40 default), set the bar counts (8/4/8 is the most-played pop ratio), pick the rhyme scheme per section (ABAB verse / DEDE chorus is durable), and only then start filling in lyrics.
This template does the scaffolding for you. The default rows give a 12-section template (intro through tag) that matches a typical 3-minute radio single; the row count is editable up or down for ballads, ad jingles, or instrumental cues.
Rhyme scheme column captures the *shape* of the rhyme without forcing words: ABAB means lines 1+3 rhyme and lines 2+4 rhyme, A'B'A'B' (in verse 2) signals the same scheme but different rhymes. Chord progression uses Roman numerals or chord symbols — your call.
Lyric idea / hook / payoff is the place for fragments: one image, one rhyme, one melodic motif. Pair with /paper/lyrics-writing-sheet for line-by-line drafting and the Music Practice Log to track demoing time.