Download my FREE songwriting blueprint and connect online: https://linktr.ee/songwritingready Show notes - A 3 act song structure consists of

1. The Setup
2. Development
3. Resolution

What is The Set-Up?

The setup gives us the information we need to get our song started.  The purpose of the set-up is to create the spine or direction or our story.  This is where we build our story line.  The set - up paints a picture for the listener.  We need to begin with an image, feeling, or sense of what’s going on.  The goal is to try to paint with words and create a mood for the listener. 

3 Types of Song Plots

Situational - A series of events adds up over time to move us through the story.  Think of “Don’t take the Girl.” 

Story (action) Songs - Story songs have a beginning, middle, and end.  Think of “Coward of the County.”

Emotional - Emotional songs focus on a single emotion or mood - Think of the country song “Amazed.”

Character Development
Who are the characters in your song?  It’s it you?  Is it a fictional character, a lover or friend?  Characters have a lot of influence in your song.  There’s something the characters in your story are after.  This character aspect gives direction to your song.  Let’s look at the character development in you songs

Motivation — Motivation pushes your character ahead in the song.  A physical action, emotion, or conversation might be motivation for the character.  Some ways a motivation might show up to create action would be a memory or flashback, an escape, or a breakup.  The motivation needs to be clear and thought out to give your song the right push. 

The Goal - Depending on the motivation you choose, the character begins to look for a goal.  Is it returning to a lover?  Is it going back home?  What does your character want?  The goal ties the character to the spine of the story.  The story is resolved by the character going after the goal and achieving it. 

Let’s look at how our goal can resolve.

What’s at stake in the story?  What is lost if the main character doesn’t get to the goal?

What’s in the way of the character achieving the goal?

Is the goal set up in such a way that it creates courage, resourcefulness, or determination within the character

Think of “The Cape” by Guy Clark

Action - How does the character achieve the goal?  How to you create strength and stability within your characters?  Your characters have to face adversity and vulnerability so they can build credibility with your listener.  The more your character has to struggle, the stronger the actions.  The more difficult the actions, the stronger the character. 

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