How to compose a ballad: basic guidelines

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

If at least once in your life you caught yourself thinking that you want to compose your own ballad, then before you start writing it, you need to know what its structure is and how to compose it correctly. Get ready not only to write about something real, but also to fantasize as it should - and then your ballad will be the real one! And remember, everything can be learned!

What to write about?

How to compose a ballad? Before you start writing a ballad, you need to figure out what you will be talking about. Imagine the hero of the future ballad, imagine the plot, fairy-tale characters that will be present in it. Remember that the ballad does not have to be based on real events, you can fantasize the truth.

Decide on whose behalf the ballad will be told: on behalf of the author or on behalf of the hero. Remember that always in this story the main character is a brave and fearless warrior. The composed ballad very colorfully and vividly describesthe events that take place and the actions that take place in it. Don't forget the rhyme - it's very important for a ballad! Feel free to refer to rhyming dictionaries, they are very helpful when writing.

What will it be, your ballad?

Whatever the goal is for you, you can, by adding a little imagination and your talent, compose a ballad in literature, write a congratulation to a friend in this form, come up with a ballad song. First you need to determine what it will be, your ballad. Now German, French and English examples are gaining popularity, and it's not difficult to find collections of such ballads in translation in order to be inspired by them.

There are differences in all three types that every person who once wondered how to compose a ballad should understand.

The French ballad does not have a plot as such, but it requires a talent for rhyming and understanding the structure of the text: three through rhymes and a repeating refrain at the end of each stanza. At the end - a mandatory premise, a summary.

The English ballad is different in that it has lines that are repeated in each verse and at the same time change the meaning of what was said in subsequent lines to the opposite.

German ballads are dark and mostly gothic.

How to compose?

How to compose a ballad? First, define an event. For example, you have chosen the distant past, while the heroes do not have to bereal. You can add some supernatural forces to such a ballad that will help your hero or, on the contrary, interfere with him. However, do not forget that mythical and fabulous creatures must correspond to the era you are writing about.

Next, decide who will lead the narration - a hero who is directly involved in the events, or a singer who tells this ballad to the audience. Think over the plot, designate the character of the characters, determine the events that will be played out in the ballad. You can choose any form and poetic size, but be sure to follow the structure: the beginning, the main part with a climax and the denouement. Do not forget about rhyming, avoid single-root and grammatical rhymes. Play with the rhyme, trying to make it poetic and graceful. Remember that since the thought “how to compose a ballad?” slipped into your head, then, provided that you make an effort for this, you will succeed.

Try and you will succeed

Don't despair if you can't write a ballad the first time. However, do not quit your job, and your work will be crowned with success! Try giving your creation a vintage feel to make it sound special. In order to achieve a similar effect, it will not be superfluous to use old Russian words. Composing ballads is not an easy task, but once you learn how to do it, you can flaunt this skill and your literary talent in front of your friends.

So how do you compose a ballad? Do not forget about the dynamic plot,landscape sketches, dramatic dialogues, as well as his own assessment of the events taking place in the ballad. Bring out mystical, mysterious characters - mermaids, sea princesses, the forest king, kikimora and other fabulous creatures. Thicken the colors! Transfer the action of the ballad to a dilapidated castle, to the river bank, to the forest with monsters. Write a ballad about death, predictions, fatal love, battles - the choice of subjects is simply limitless!