It depends on the line in the stanza.
This means that the longer the line, the slower the tempo. Simply because a long line has more elements to play with. After all, if you set a high tempo for a long line, the words will be illegible. If you set a tempo too slow, the words will become drawn-out.
So how do you determine what tempo to set?
It’s very simple; you just need to understand that the right tempo can help the lyrics come to life, while an incorrect one can ruin your original idea.
Let’s say the song lyrics consist of two verses. The verses also have a pre-chorus and a chorus. The verse has two stanzas and the line of poetry in each consists of 7-8 words. Then it is necessary to select the tempo for this refrain so that every word is understood when singing.
For example:
Let’s take a classic writer, William Shakespeare. His greatest work is Romeo and Juliet.
Prologue
Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-crossed lovers take their lives;
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Do with their death bury their parents’ strife.
If you decide to set a melody to these lines, you should know the following:
- Determine the average number of words per line: 4 to 9 words.
- Read the lines aloud, slowly and measuredly.
- Record how many seconds you spent on each line (I got 10 seconds).
Note: You can stretch or shorten the pronunciation of the words, increase or decrease the pauses, or pronounce all the words without pauses. You
need to “hear” YOUR tempo when finding your own.
So don’t pay attention to the rules and create your own pace.
- Now count the seconds in the stanza and throughout the passage.
I only got 80 seconds in this verse, which corresponds to a tempo of 60 BPM. This tempo is between adagio and andante. It matches the leisurely pace, which, in my opinion, is perfectly suited to the chosen excerpt from William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
Now you need to apply what you’ve learned to your own lyrics or practice setting the tempo to other pieces. Depending on your plans.
The only thing to remember is that depending on the line, the tempo in the same piece can change. Let’s say the tempo was 60 in the verse, but in the chorus it becomes 80 or 100. This needs to be taken into account.
So, dear musicians, find your tempo!
How have you determined your writing pace in the past? Share your experiences in the comments!
There’s a whole methodology for determining the right tempo. Want to learn it? Subscribe!
