Breakdown your favourite song
Listen to your favourite song, identify verse, chorus, bridge, tempo, instruments, and mood, then create a simple chart showing its structure and feelings.
Step-by-step guide to break down a favourite song
Step 1
Pick your favorite song to study.
Step 2
Go to a quiet spot where you can listen without interruptions.
Step 3
Play the song once all the way through and listen without writing anything.
Step 4
Play the song again and tap your foot or clap to feel the beat.
Step 5
Tap for 15 seconds while counting beats then multiply by 4 to find the beats per minute (BPM).
Step 6
Play the song and put a sticky note each time a new section starts (verse chorus bridge).
Step 7
Draw a long rectangle on your paper and divide it into parts that match the sticky-note marks.
Step 8
Label each part with the section name you heard (Verse Chorus Bridge etc.).
Step 9
Write the main instrument or sounds you hear in each section.
Step 10
Write one word that describes the mood or feeling of each section.
Step 11
Use colours or small drawings to show the mood for each section.
Step 12
Write the BPM number at the top of your chart.
Step 13
Add the song title and your name on the chart.
Step 14
Take a clear photo or scan of your finished chart.
Step 15
Share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have sticky notes, coloured pencils, or a camera to follow the activity?
If you don't have sticky notes use small pieces of tape or index cards to mark section starts, swap coloured pencils for crayons or markers to show mood, and ask an adult to use a phone to take the clear photo or scan of your finished chart.
I'm losing count while tapping for 15 seconds and my BPM keeps changing—what should I do?
If you lose count while tapping for 15 seconds, use a phone timer and a metronome app or record a 15-second clip and replay it slowly to count beats accurately before multiplying by 4 for the BPM.
How can this activity be changed for younger or older kids?
For younger kids simplify by only marking Verse and Chorus with big stickers and drawing moods with crayons, while older kids can label each part with instruments and moods, note dynamics per section, and write the BPM and song title precisely on the chart.
How can we extend or personalize the chart after finishing the basic steps?
To extend the activity, color-code each section with a key, add a short lyric line or note about the main instrument under each labeled part, compare BPMs with another song on the same paper, then photograph the updated chart to share on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to break down a favourite song
The Noun Song
4 Videos
The Noun Song
Identify & Learn Music Genres: How To Know The Genre Of A Song (Really, Really Well)
Boundaries Songs for Kids | Help Kids Express Themselves through Song | Preschool | Kindergarten
How to read music - Tim Hansen
Facts about music analysis for kids
🧩 A bridge usually appears once and gives a contrasting section that spices up the song before the final chorus.
🎹 Instruments shape mood: pianos and strings often feel warm or sad, while synths and electric guitars can feel bright or energetic.
🔁 Many hit songs repeat the chorus 3–5 times so it sticks in your head after just one listen.
🎚️ Tempo is measured in beats per minute (BPM); most pop songs sit between 90–120 BPM.
🎧 The average pop song is about 3 minutes and 30 seconds long — shorter songs often get replayed more!
How do I guide my child to break down their favourite song?
What materials do I need to break down a favourite song with my child?
What ages is this song breakdown activity suitable for?
What are the benefits of breaking down a song with my child?
One subscription, many ways to play and learn.
Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required