How to Write a 16-Bar Verse | Rap Music

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Alright. So, for all of the up and coming rappers out there who may be wondering how to write a 16-bar verse, here is how you do it.

For the most part when you write a line across the page, when you write a line across the page, more often than not, according to how big you write, most rappers, I've done this many years, most rappers, when they write a line across the page that usually equates to one bar.

That equates to one bar. So, if you said "I'm the illest rapper alive. Watch me do my thing." That's usually one bar. So, 16 lines down the paper will equal to 16 bars. And to double check, what you usually do is you find the section of the song, of an instrumental, that is the same amount of time as a regular 16 bar verse. And once you finish writing your 16 lines, you measure it by rhyming, or rapping, your verse along that same time period. If it goes over than you know it's over. But, more often than not, 16 lines on a paper will lead you into 16-bar verses.

[Bigcrusha]

A bar is a musical measure, not a line. 4 beats "a.k.a" bob your head 4 times = 1 bar. 

A guideline to flowing words over a bar is by is counting syllables. In 1 bar (4 beats), you can fit:

4 syllables (a quarter note or beat) = slow flow

8 syllables (8th note) = faster but hippy hoppy like a nursery rhyme, Biggie likes to rap like this

16 syllables (16th note) =  closest to regular speech speed, most rappers sit at this tempo

32 syllables (32nd note) = very fast, almost impossible to hear or understand on faster songs, busta rhymes and tech n9ne like to rap in that zone.

The rule is often to put your "rhyme" word or syllable(s) at the end of the bar (4th beat), You can sketch a unique flow by mixing 8ths, 16ths and 32nd syllable notes sporadically in bars. Mastering that craft will allow you to create an authentic pattern flow that still sounds good to the ear and gives you identity.

[atomicpaw]

To write a 16 bar verse, write an 8 bar verse. Then do it again.

[TheSprintingmonkey]

"How to write a 16-bar verse"
"Just write a 16-bar verse"

[shawnmartian]

so he basically said that 16 lines is 16 bars
nah bruh

[jciq]

fk...after this vid i be writing like nas just bout to drop illmatic

[josezamora]

his hairline look like they need a 16 bar verse

[justjoshn]

if you tryna make a song you gotta really know the beat and listen to how long you got before the hook drops again. my style is story telling so if i go over, its easier for me to just edit my verse and pick up where i left off.

[PuffQueenKayla]

This was more informative than the 12 minutes I just wasted watching another video. Thanks 😎💯

[aefaGEwewg]

This is not explaining how to write a 16-bar verse, this is explaining what a bar is.

[akekestory]

like I write raps all the time but I just write em so its good to know what bars actually are

[liljuice]

i thought a bar is 2 lines like
hey the names ron
im like hey thats my mom
isnt that a bar? 😥

[احمدالصالحي-فخ]

it's not that hard..
for example these lyrics are from a biggie song:
Today's agenda, got the suitcase up in the Sentra Go to room 112, tell them Blanco sent ya

now that line is 2 bars "Today's agenda, got the suitcase up in the Sentra" that's the first bar
"Go to room 112, tell them Blanco sent ya" that is the second bar.

[UnplannedMaterial]

2 bars: (Almost quoted Canibus' lyrics 4, 3, 2, 1 remix)
"I'm the illest rapper alive watch me prove it/
I'll snatch your crown with your head still attached to it"

For those just starting study some Canibus. Dude was the 'illest' in his day..

[president.z]

Thank you howcast, on my way to become a rapper!

[greencyy]

BOUTTA DROP THE LITTIEST MIXTAPE OF YO LIFE

[ericnicholson]

Good simple advice! I'm trying a ten beat line.

[byrondadon]

It was simpler than I thought, although I do say alot in a short period of time so I have to balance it

[cbwavy]

Sounds like he didn't prepare for this video

[lmaon]

SUPER HELPFUL TIP: just say Gucci gang YOU WILL REACH THERE BEFORE YOU KNOW!

[MisterAllDayEveryDay]

I rap through my life leave haters twined
I try hard, i try my best
I puff my chest wide breast
Don't mess wit my crew unless you got a tuck
Ain't one to f***, but b**** don't press ya luck