Rappin' to Learn

Writing Raps
Download GarageBand Instructions - Pdf

1. Begin by listening to some raps to understand the format.

What about raps that are written in story books? Bruce Lansky tells the story of a teacher with a challenging students. “She tried everything to motivate him to "get with the program," but nothing worked-until she handed him a copy of No More Homework! No More Tests! It was the only book he would read. His favorite poem was "School Daze Rap" by Carol Diggory Shields. Apparently, he read it over and over.”http://www.poetryteachers.com/poetclass/lessons/raplyrics.html

2. Write/rap about what you know. Could be school, friends or family, or any curriculum content. The rap must have a positive message. A rap is a song with talking rather than singing.
Begin by brainstorming the content of the rap such as main ideas and key vocabulary. Don't worry about writing out the rap just yet.

3. Since you will write your lyrics to match a beat, select a beat in GarageBand.
Think about the pattern for the beat, clap it and even write out the beat : da - dada- da - dada - dadada (4 count beat)

4. Now it is time to think about the lyrics.
Most raps rhyme in 'couplets’ or in 2-line rhyming pairs. Lines one and two rhyme with each other, but not with the other lines. Lines 3 and 4 rhyme with each other, but not with the other lines. And so on. The two lines that rhyme together are a "Couplet."

5. Structure the rap lyrics: Introduction, verse, chorus, verse, chorus.
A chorus should have a catchy punch line - the kind that sticks in your head!

6. You can put the whole rap together in many different ways. Here is one approach:
- In GarageBand let the beat provide an introduction. Then fade the beat so that it is less audible but still allows you to hear and follow.
- Record your rap leaving "beat" only spaces between verse and chorus.
- Listen to your recording and make sure beat and lyrics work together.
-When done, add other music components if you wish - bass, guitar etc. These elements should be faded somewhat when the lyrics are being featured but increase volume between verse and chorus.

Resources

How to Write a Rap	Biodiversity Rap
Write a Rap Song Lesson	Rap Samples
Seven Traits Plus Rap
Write a Rap Rap from Scholastic