Song Structure Template
A free visual tool for planning your compositions. Whether you’re sketching ideas at the piano or mapping out a full arrangement, drag and drop sections, set your tempo, and export as a MIDI file directly to your DAW.
Why Use a Song Structure Template?
Sometimes the best ideas come when you step away from the screen. As a composer, I often find that my most creative work happens at the piano, not staring at a DAW timeline. There’s something about working with pen and paper, or simply playing through ideas without the distraction of plugins and settings, that lets the music breathe.
But there’s always been a gap. You sketch out a verse-chorus structure, work out how many bars feel right for each section, maybe note down some key changes or dynamic shifts. Then you sit down at your computer and have to recreate all of that from memory, manually placing markers and counting bars.
That’s why I built this Song Structure Template. It bridges the gap between analog creativity and digital production. Unlike random song structure generators that spit out arbitrary arrangements, this tool lets you plan your song arrangement intentionally. You see the proportions, the timing, the flow. Then you export it and get straight to work in your DAW.
How It Works
A visual canvas for your composition. Plan your arrangement in minutes, not hours.
Choose Your Starting Point
Select from built-in templates like Verse-Chorus, AABA, Sonata Form, or Rondo. Or start with a blank canvas and build your own structure from scratch.
Shape Your Arrangement
Drag sections to reorder them. Adjust bar counts for each part. Set your tempo and time signature to see accurate timings. The visual timeline shows you the proportions at a glance.
Export and Create
Export as CSV, Reaper markers, or MIDI file with section markers. The MIDI export works with Reaper, Logic, Cubase, Pro Tools, and more. Your structure is ready – now focus on the music.
Features
Everything you need to plan your song arrangement, from classical forms to modern pop structures.
Built-in Templates
Start with Verse-Chorus, AABA, 12-Bar Blues, Sonata Form, Rondo, and more. Both pop and classical structures at your fingertips.
Drag-and-Drop Interface
Reorder sections intuitively. Add, duplicate, or remove sections with a single click. Your arrangement, your way.
Visual Timeline
See your song structure at a glance with a colour-coded timeline showing proportions and duration for each section.
Tempo and Timing
Set your BPM and time signature. The tool calculates accurate bar counts and total duration automatically.
MIDI & DAW Export
Export as CSV, Reaper markers, or standard MIDI file with tempo, time signature, and section markers. Works with Reaper, Logic, Cubase, Pro Tools, and more.
Completely Free
No sign-up required. No limitations. Use it as often as you like, directly in your browser.
Built-in Templates
Choose from templates for both contemporary songwriting and classical composition. Pick your starting point and customise from there.
Verse-Chorus
Classic pop/rock structure
Verse-Pre-Chorus-Chorus
Modern pop with lift
AABA (32-Bar)
Jazz standard form
12-Bar Blues
Classic blues progression
Ternary (ABA)
Statement, contrast, return
Sonata Form
Exposition, development, recap
Rondo (ABACA)
Recurring refrain with episodes
Start Blank
Build your own from scratch
Who Is This For?
Whether you’re writing your first song or your hundredth score, this tool helps you work smarter.
Songwriters
Plan your song’s emotional journey before you write a single lyric. Visualise the arc and pacing of your arrangement before you begin.
Composers
Work out your ideas at the piano, then capture the form before you move to the computer. Bridge analog creativity with digital workflow.
Students
Study musical form interactively. The Song Structure Template is a music form planner that helps you understand how verse-chorus differs from AABA, or how sonata form unfolds.
Teachers
Demonstrate song structures visually in class. Export examples for students to analyse and discuss.
Producers
Set up your DAW session in seconds. Export a MIDI file with markers so your structure is ready before you record a single note.
Media Composers
Planning a cue? Map out your three-act structure, builds, and hits before you open your sequencer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a song structure template?
A song structure template is a blueprint for organising the sections of your composition – intro, verses, choruses, bridge, outro, and beyond. The Song Structure Template tool takes this concept further by giving you a visual, interactive canvas where you can drag and drop sections, set timings, and export your plan directly to your DAW.
Is this tool really free?
Yes, the Song Structure Template is completely free. There’s no account required, no watermarks, and no limitations. Use it as often as you like, directly in your browser, for any project – personal or commercial.
Can I use the exports in any DAW?
The Song Structure Template exports to three formats: CSV (for spreadsheets and reference), Reaper region markers, and standard MIDI file. The MIDI export includes tempo, time signature, and section markers that work in Reaper, Logic, Cubase, Pro Tools, Ableton, and virtually any DAW that imports MIDI.
What’s the difference between song forms and classical forms?
The Song Structure Template includes both contemporary and classical forms. Song forms like Verse-Chorus are used in pop, rock, and contemporary music. Classical forms like Sonata and Rondo come from the orchestral and piano repertoire. You can explore both traditions and even combine elements to create hybrid structures.
Can I save my work?
The Song Structure Template runs entirely in your browser and doesn’t require a server or account. To keep a record of your work, export your structure to CSV. You can also bookmark the page to return quickly. It’s designed to be fast and frictionless – open it, plan your structure, export, and get to work.
How is this different from a random song structure generator?
Random song structure generators simply output an arbitrary sequence of sections. The Song Structure Template is a planning tool – you make intentional choices about your arrangement, see the proportions visually, adjust timings, and export a structure that reflects your creative vision. It puts you in control.
Ready to Plan Your Next Composition?
Open the Song Structure Template and bridge the gap between your creative sketches and your DAW session. Plan intentionally, export instantly, create freely.
