whats the definition of a bar

[jamesborn54]

hey guys whats a bar when writining a song how much do I write or what ever is ther a guide line or something

[fraserhutch]

A bar is something two guys usually turn into :0

Seriously, a bar is a logial subdivision of music, defined as n notes of m type (I hesistate to say duration here), where type is a 16th, 8th, quarter, half note, etc.

Typically in rock a bar is 4 beats in length, where the type is a quarter note.

Beyond that, this is pretty much music 101.

Now as to length of a song, no one gets paid by number of bars or the number of notes they write. Songs are usually 3 minutes or so in the modern format (someone correct me if this has changed). Used to be bands could get by with 10 minute works, but I guess the fear is that the attention span recent generations couldn't handle that...

Originally Posted by jamesborn54

hey guys whats a bar when writining a song how much do I write or what ever is ther a guide line or something

[up-fiddler]

Originally Posted by jamesborn54

how much do I write or what ever is ther a guide line or something

Write as succinctly as possible but use enough lyric to tell your story. Good luck.

[andyhix]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Measure_%28music%29

Basically, tap your foot comfortably to your song, counting 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4... every group of 4 is a bar. Unless you are writing a waltz or 3/4 beat, which would be 1-2-3-1-2-3.

[Jahn]

i highly recommend the 12-Bar Blues as a starting point for songwriting too - you have 12 bars to play around with, and easy chord progressions, and you can fit a million lyrics in there too, and a set structure. have fun!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12_bar_blues

[mikeh]

12 bar blues should be part of songwriting 101 - for sure!