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What constitutes the definition of a "song"?

It can't be classical
It has to have words
It has to follow a generic format, e.g. ABACA
It can be anything musical
Other

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Topic: Piece vs. Song  (Read 2882 times)

Offline transitional

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Piece vs. Song
on: September 29, 2023, 08:20:25 PM
You have to put text in this box for some reason.
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Offline lelle

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Re: Piece vs. Song
Reply #1 on: September 29, 2023, 09:27:31 PM
I'd call anything written by a group who defines themselves as a "band" in the modern sense of the world, including a solo artist, a "song", regardless if it's a singer on it or just instrumental.

Anything written by someone defining themselves as a "composer" I would consider a "piece" or a "composition" unless it has a singer who sings lyrics on it, then it's also a "song".

Intuitively it feels pretty clear cut, but I'm sure there are edge cases. I would leave it up to the creator to decide how they want their music labelled.
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Offline quantum

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Re: Piece vs. Song
Reply #2 on: September 30, 2023, 11:07:52 PM
Quote from: transitional on September 29, 2023, 08:20:25 PM
You have to put text in this box for some reason.

Are you saying then, your post could be considered a song?  :D  ::)
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Offline quantum

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Re: Piece vs. Song
Reply #3 on: September 30, 2023, 11:23:33 PM
Quote from: lelle on September 29, 2023, 09:27:31 PM
I would leave it up to the creator to decide how they want their music labelled.

I'd agree with that.

The word "song" is used very loosely today.  Even with music production software, many things are referenced to the term song.  One creates a new file for a project, the software insists that it labelled as a song. 
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Offline lostinidlewonder

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Re: Piece vs. Song
Reply #4 on: October 01, 2023, 12:27:14 PM
What about "Songs without words"?  ;)

Anything that is meant to be sung with a voice I'm assuming is a "song". Whether that be a human or animal voice, birds don't sing pieces.

Instrumental works are "pieces".
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