Exercise

Step 1: Determine whether the song section you are writing should sound stable or unstable. Since rhyme schemes are one of the factors that determine the motion in a song, it is important to choose a rhyme scheme that matches the stability or instability of the song. Does the song section have a stable or unstable message?

 

Step 2: Choose a rhyme scheme that matches the level of stability in the song. As a general rule: for instability, use less rhyme and an odd number of lines; for stability, use more rhyme and an even number of lines. The rhyme schemes available to you are:

• Two sentences: AA, AB

• Three sentences: AAA, ABB, XXX, AAB, ABA

• Four sentences: AAAA, AABB, ABAB, XAXA, AXXA, ABAA, XXAA, XAAA, AXAA, AAXA, AABA, ABBA, AAAX, AXAX, XAAX, XXXX

• Five sentences: AAAAA, XAAAA, XXAAA, XAXAA, XXXAA, XXAXA, AAAAX, ABABB, ABAAB, ABBAA, ABBAB, ABAAA, ABABA, AABBA, AABBB, AAABB, ABCAC, ABCBC, ABCBB, ABCAA, ABCAB 

• Six sentences: ABCABC, ABABAA, ABABCC, AABAAB, AACBBC, ABABAB, ABBABB, ABABBA

You can optionally pair your rhyme scheme with a toggling scheme that follows the rhyme scheme. A toggling scheme alternates between lyrics that tell and lyrics that show. For example: XXAXXA → show, show, tell, show, show, tell.

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Step 3: Once you have written a lyric using the rhyme scheme, assess whether it conveys the right amount of stability through its emotional impact. If not, experiment with the different elements of motion or adjust the rhyme scheme.

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Theory

"Rhyme schemes define the patterns you use throughout your songs for your end-of-line rhymes" (Reynolds, 2021). The rhyme scheme you choose ultimately depends on the message and emotions conveyed throughout your song. "If the lyric’s emotion deals with uncertainty or loss (unstable), keep it looser. If its ideas are more factual or resolved (stable), tighten it up. Make your structure reflect the emotion of the lyric" (Pattison, 2009, p. 171). Pattison (2009, p. 176) adds, that: "Interesting structure isn’t something that just happens. You create it. And usually out of the simplest of starting places: matched couplets and/or common meter. None of these techniques are difficult to use – you can create wonderful partnerships any time you choose to".

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Sources

• Pattison, P. (2009) Writing Better Lyrics: The Essential Guide to Powerful Songwriting. 2nd edn. Cincinnati: Writer’s Digest Books.

• Reynolds, J. (2021) Rhyme Schemes for Songwriters. Available at: https://www.ascap.com/help/career-development/15-rhyme-schemes-jordan-reynolds (Accessed: 22 April 2026).