A ballad is a type of song that tells a story, usually with a melancholic or sentimental tone. It’s one of the most popular and distinctive forms of musical theatre, and it has been around for centuries. Ballads typically feature an engaging narrative with characters that the audience can relate to, making them an ideal choice for musical theatre.
The term “ballad” comes from the Old French word “balade,” which was used to describe any poem or song accompanied by music. Ballads have been popular in many cultures throughout history, but they are most closely associated with folk music from the British Isles. In these cultures, ballads often told stories of love, loss, courage and adventure.
Ballads in musical theatre are typically songs that tell a story about a character or situation in the show. They are usually slower-paced than other songs in the show and may feature solos or duets between two characters. The lyrics often provide insight into a character’s motivations and feelings, while the melody helps to draw out emotion from both performers and audience members alike.
Musical theatre ballads typically follow a standard structure, including an introduction (or “verse”), chorus (or “refrain”), bridge (or “middle eight”) and conclusion (or “outro”). This structure helps to create a clear arc to the story being told in the song, while also making it easier for performers to remember all of their lines.
In more modern musical theatre shows, ballads may take on different forms than traditional folk ballads. For example, some contemporary shows may include pop-style ballads that feature upbeat rhythms and catchy melodies. Other types of ballads may be more experimental in nature, incorporating elements such as rap or spoken word into the lyrics.
What Is Ballad in Musical Theatre?
A ballad is one of the most popular forms of musical theatre and is defined as a type of song that tells a story with characters that audiences can relate to. Ballads typically follow a standard structure including an introduction (verse), chorus (refrain), bridge (middle eight) and conclusion (outro). While traditionally associated with folk music from Britain and Ireland, modern musical theatre shows may include other styles such as pop-style or experimental ballads featuring rap or spoken word lyrics.