By dividing a melody into sections, we can rearrange and repeat certain parts to create something new and exciting. Of course, not all songs include every type of section. But the following outlines the most popular ones you’ll often hear:

Like the rooms in a building or the acts in a play, each section is a small, contained unit. Just little snippets of melody that flow into each other. And when the melody lines in each section are strung together, they join to form a complete and seamless song.

The easiest way to tell each section apart is to focus on the lyrics. Most songs (like the example above) include most “verse” and “chorus” sections. Typically, each verse tells a short story, while eachchorus repeats its own separate melody and simple lyrics.

To see what I mean, try playing the next song—“Waltzing Matilda,” which is a traditional tune from Australia. We sing the top line of lyrics in the first verse … followed by the first chorus. The end repeat sign in the last measure then directs us back to the beginning, where we continue into the second verse … followed by the second (and finale) chorus.

Using repeat signs and song sections, we can give our music some real structure. Which sounds great. The only thing that would make our melodies and progressions even better would be to add a little more form. And, as you might have guessed, musicians use several “song forms” or designs that are especially popular.