Originally Posted By: lambada
If you are trying to work out stresses in speech, a linguist friend showed me a great trick. As you read your lyrics, use 'uh' or 'um'. I use it when training my Chinese students in poetry. You can here the major and minor stresses very easily.

Mary had a little lamb
Mm m(M) m Mm M

Bold = main stress
M = minor stress.

There are regional variations (and I'm English)

Another quick trick is to see what words are needed to make sense
Mary had little lamb.

The dog is big
m M m M
dog big.


Hi lambada,

That's a great idea! I've never thought of anything like that. I'll give it a try next time I deconstruct something. Thanks for the idea!

Regards,
Noel

MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2024