The hook line may be part of the chorus, or it may be part of the verse. It may be sung 4 times, or it may be sung 40 times. It just needs to be memorable. How do you make it memorable?
- It should be concise.
- It should be repeated.
- It should summarize the theme of the song.
Let's look at some examples from past Wünderstudies shows. Watch the following clip and try to identify the hook line for yourself. (The song begins at 1:50.)
It's really hard to miss the hook line in this song. The phrase "good enough" starts the song and is repeated over and over again in both the verses and the chorus. Most of the song consists of just these two words with slight changes in melody and harmony. This makes the song very simple and repetitive, but it is also exactly what makes this such a strong memorable moment in the show, clearly expressing the first mate's desire to live up to the captain's expectations. I can still recall this hook line by memory nearly two years later.
Here's another example. (The song begins at 2:45.)
This song begins with words spoken to rhythm and no clear hook line. Note that if it had continued this way, this would have remained a jumbled and difficult-to-remember song. However, once that hook line appears as "robots in the workplace," the song suddenly becomes catchy and memorable. The hook line is a simple four word phrase, repeated many times by every member of the group, and it clearly summarizes the theme of the song, which is the maniacal plan to replace human office workers with robots.
How can you use hook lines like this in your own improvised songs? In a musical improv scene, you should already have a character and a motivation by the time a song is initiated by the accompanist. When it becomes clear that you are about to start a new song, ask yourself the following questions:
It's really hard to miss the hook line in this song. The phrase "good enough" starts the song and is repeated over and over again in both the verses and the chorus. Most of the song consists of just these two words with slight changes in melody and harmony. This makes the song very simple and repetitive, but it is also exactly what makes this such a strong memorable moment in the show, clearly expressing the first mate's desire to live up to the captain's expectations. I can still recall this hook line by memory nearly two years later.
Here's another example. (The song begins at 2:45.)
This song begins with words spoken to rhythm and no clear hook line. Note that if it had continued this way, this would have remained a jumbled and difficult-to-remember song. However, once that hook line appears as "robots in the workplace," the song suddenly becomes catchy and memorable. The hook line is a simple four word phrase, repeated many times by every member of the group, and it clearly summarizes the theme of the song, which is the maniacal plan to replace human office workers with robots.
How can you use hook lines like this in your own improvised songs? In a musical improv scene, you should already have a character and a motivation by the time a song is initiated by the accompanist. When it becomes clear that you are about to start a new song, ask yourself the following questions:
- What does my character really need to express right now?
- How can I summarize that in 5 words or less?
You're a bumbling rookie cop who doubts that he will ever succeed? Hook line: "not meant to be a cop." You're the head of a crappy orphanage who truly believes that she gave the orphans a comfortable life? Hook line: "they got it easy." You're a hopeless romantic who has been rejected by his true love because he just grew a mutant second head? Hook line: "two heads are better than one."
Once you have that phrase, just repeat it many times throughout the song, wherever it makes sense. As a side benefit, this should relieve much of the pressure of coming up with more lyrics. Don't know what lyrics to sing? Just start repeating the hook line, and play with the melody instead!
With enough practice, this should become second nature, so you don't have to ask yourself these questions explicitly during a show. You'll naturally identify hook lines in the moment, and they will lead you through the song with ease.
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