Cleveland County Artists

 

Jefferson Elementary 4th grader, Sara Mac Wood was inspired to write a song.  The descriptive lyrics are inspired by something she saw on the news.  After challenging her musical abilities to write a song, she came to me already knowing the melody and the words by heart, so we discovered she was singing in the key of C, and tried some chord progressions.

 

Chord progressions are the order of chords that are used to harmonize a melody.  Since Sara Mac's melody was already so polished, putting chords to it were easy.  The chord progression is a little reminiscent of J Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers, "Last Kiss," also covered by Pearl Jam in 1999.

 

Normally a song form involves verses (A), chorus (B), and a bridge (C).  In other words, three different parts that can contrast to help one tell a story in the art of songwriting.  A simple song form can be ABABCB, or Verse 1, Chorus, Verse 2, Chorus, Bridge, and a final Chorus.  Additional verses can be added at the songwriter's will. Sometimes a song will change keys near the end to increase expression or to create an emotional effect.

 

  Sara Mac cites Taylor Swift as a major musical influence.  You can go to www.shelbyinfo.com/music to watch Sara Mac sing her original song.