How to Write Compas Songs

You want a compas song that makes people dance until their shoes need a new life. You want the groove to hit the chest, the chorus to sing out like a street parade, and the lyrics to feel like gossip you tell your best friend at midnight. Compas, also spelled kompa, is Haiti's proud, sexy, and relentless dance music. It rewards pocketed rhythm, small melodic hooks, and lyrics that can be playful or knife sharp.

Everything here is written for busy artists who want real results. You will get the history and DNA of compas, step by step tools for crafting groove oriented songs, melody and lyric strategies, arrangement and production tricks, and practical exercises you can use today. If you plan to write a compas banger for the club or a tender kompa slow jam for a wedding, this is your playbook.

What Is Compas

Compas is a Haitian music genre that started in the middle of the 20th century. The modern form was popularized by Nemours Jean Baptiste in the 1950s. You might also see it spelled kompa. The word compas originally suggests a steady pulse or rhythm. Musically compas is built on a steady 4 4 time feel with a strong emphasis on groove, syncopated guitar or keyboard parts, driving bass lines, and often horn or synth accents. It is a music of parties, long nights, and bright shoes.

Real life example

• Imagine you walk into a Haitian wedding. The band starts a compas tune. The couple starts a choreographed first dance. People who have never danced before find the pocket and move like they do this every weekend.

Core Elements of a Compas Song

Compas has a handful of signatures you should know and use. Think of them as the recipe. Break the recipe at your own risk. Or do so very intentionally.

• Groove first. The pocket is the religion. The groove is often mid tempo to slightly fast. It invites stepping and swaying.
• Steady pulse. Compas generally sits in 4 4 time. The rhythm feels even across the bar with small syncopations that make it bounce.
• Lead melodic hook. A short repeated melodic tag often lives on keyboards or horn lines.
• Clarity in the chorus. The chorus is a sung slogan. People should be able to sing it after one play.
• Instrumental interplay. Guitar, bass, keys, percussion, and horns talk to each other. Leave room for call and response between voice and instruments.

Terminology and Acronyms You Need

We will use some music shorthand. If you see one of these acronyms you must not panic. Here is the key.

• BPM means beats per minute. It is how we measure tempo. A typical compas groove often sits between 100 and 120 BPM depending on the song mood. Faster for dance party. Slower for love slow jam.
• DAW means digital audio workstation. This is the software where you record and arrange music. Examples include Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and FL Studio.
• MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. It is a way to send performance data from a keyboard or controller to virtual instruments inside your DAW.
• Pocket is a slang term for the perfect rhythmic placement of notes so they feel right with the groove. When something is in the pocket it feels effortless and heavy at the same time.

The Rhythm and Groove: What Makes Compas Move

Good compas grooves feel simple and complicated at the same time. The secret is a steady pulse plus tasteful syncopation. Here is how to build that pocket.

Bass Drum and Snare

The drum kit drives compas with an even hi hat pattern and a bass drum that pulls the track forward. The snare or rimshot often plays on beats two and four but with small syncopations and ghost notes to add flavor.

Real life scenario

Your drummer plays a two and four snare but adds a ghosted rimshot between the second and third beat. The dancers suddenly find a new small step. That ghost note is your secret handshake.

Hi Hat and Ride Patterns

Use steady eighth notes on hats for body. Add slight accents at the end of phrases. Open hats on the chorus downbeat can give the section lift. If you program drums use slight timing variations and velocity changes. Humanize your hats so they do not sound robotic.

Percussion

Compas frequently uses hand percussion like congas, cowbell, shakers, and timbales. The cowbell can play an ostinato pattern that the whole band locks to. Conga patterns are often simple but they fill the groove with body. Percussion should never fight the pocket. It should breathe with it.

Guitar and Keyboard Rhythms

Guitar in compas often plays short rhythmic chords or single note motifs that accent the off beats. Keyboards sometimes take that role too with bright stabs. Muted strums and percussive attacks are common. The goal is to create a forward moving pulse without clutter.

Harmony and Chord Choices

Compas does not require complex jazz harmony to sound good. Often four chord cycles do the job. The point is to make chords support the melody while giving pockets for rhythmic riffs.

• Common keys include major keys for party songs and minor keys for more melancholy tunes.
• Use simple progressions such as I V vi IV and similar loops. Add one borrowed chord for color. Borrowing means using a chord from the parallel key for a momentary lift. For example if your song is in C major you might borrow A minor or A major depending on the color you want.
• Turnaround chords at the end of a phrase help the groove repeat without feeling stagnant. A short IV V I loop can act as a reentry into the chorus.

Real life example

You write a verse in G major using G D Em C. For the chorus you briefly borrow a B minor to give a slightly darker color. It punches the chorus emotion and then returns to the bright G when the horns come in.

Melody and Topline Tips

Compas melodies often sit in a comfortable vocal range and use short motifs that repeat. The melody should be dance friendly and singable by people on the street. Your chorus needs a clear, repeatable hook.

Start with the groove

Before writing words sing on vowels over the rhythm. Find one or two short melodic gestures that the ear can latch onto. Repeat them and refine. Put the strongest gesture in the chorus. Keep verses conversational.

Phrase lengths

Short phrases work better because they allow the band to breathe and the audience to sing. Use space as an instrument. Silence before a hook can create tension and make the hook land harder.

Melodic contour

Think small leaps with stepwise motion. Save big jumps for emotional moments in the chorus or the end of a phrase. Use a call and response between the lead vocal and an instrument. That returns the listener to the groove and gives the singer room to breathe.

Lyrics That Land in Compas

Compas lyrics range from playful flirtation to social commentary. The language can be Haitian Creole, French, English, or a mix. Specificity wins. Tell a moment that shows the feeling rather than telling the feeling outright.

Write like you tell a story at a bar

Imagine you are telling a close friend about a wild night. Use short lines, repeat a memorable phrase, and add a single surprise image that makes people laugh or wince. Use call and response elements to invite the crowd to sing back.

Real life scenario

You write about a girl named Marie who steals a radio and refuses to dance alone. The chorus is a chant that repeats Marie's name and a small command like Come closer. The crowd sings her name and follows the command as if they know her personally.

Language mixing

Mixing languages can increase appeal. Keep the chorus in the language that is easiest to chant. Use verses to add local color and details. Explain any local slang in the liner notes or in an Instagram caption so new listeners can connect.

Song Structure and Arrangement

Compas songs favor structures that allow grooves to breathe and extend. Think of sections as dance floors. You want people to stay on the floor and not check their phones.

Reliable structure

Intro, verse, pre chorus, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus outro works well. The intro can be instrumental and should establish the groove. The pre chorus can build energy with added percussion or a rising vocal line. The bridge is a chance for a breakdown or a horn feature.

Instrumental breaks

Give musicians space to shine. A short guitar solo or a horn riff that repeats over a vamp makes the band look alive and gives dancers a moment to show off. Keep instrumental breaks tight so the energy does not drop.

Dynamic automation

Build energy by adding and subtracting elements across sections. The first chorus may be lighter than the final chorus. Add harmony vocals or extra horn stabs later to create lift. Use filters or reverb to create contrast between sections in a tasteful way.

Signature Sounds in Compas Production

Producers can make a compas track feel classic or modern. Pick a signature color and lean into it. It can be a particular horn tone, a synth pad, or a percussion texture. That signature becomes the ear pendant people remember.

Horn arrangements

Horns can provide melody hooks and big hits. Arrange short stabs that answer the vocal line. Layer trumpet and sax with different articulations. When arranging keep space so each note sings.

Keyboard textures

Bright electric piano or clavinet style sounds give compas its funk. A warm organ under the chorus can add body. Use subtle chorus or tremolo effects to create motion. Avoid heavy distortion unless you are making an intentional fusion track.

Bass tone

Bass is the engine. Pick a tone that can cut through a crowded band. Slight compression can keep the bass consistent. Play simple repetitive lines that emphasize groove. Add small fills to create movement without stealing attention.

Band Chemistry and Live Performance

Compas is built for live environments. A recorded compas song must translate to a band. Think about musicians who will play your song and write parts that are playable and fun to perform.

• Leave space. Do not stack sounds so densely that the live band cannot reproduce them.
• Use cues. Write instrumental cues in your chart so musicians know when to add fills or when to pull back.
• Make room for dancers. Live arrangements should let the rhythm breathe and create pockets where dancers can improvise.

Practical Step by Step Workflow to Write a Compas Song

This is a practical workflow you can run in a single session. Time it for three to six hours depending on how fast you write.

1. Set the tempo. Choose a BPM between 100 and 120 for a classic vibe. Use your phone metronome or your DAW.
2. Create a rhythm bed. Program a drum pattern with steady hats, snare on two and four with ghost notes, and a bass drum that supports the forward motion. Add one percussion loop like congas or cowbell.
3. Add a bassline. Play a simple repeating bass riff that outlines the chord changes and grooves with the drum pattern.
4. Find a guitar or keyboard motif. Play rhythmic stabs or a small melodic hook that repeats every bar or two.
5. Vocal melody pass. Sing on vowels over the groove. Find two short melodic gestures. Make one the chorus hook.
6. Write the chorus lyrics. Keep it short. Use a name, a command, or a memorable phrase. Repeat it. Make it easy for a crowd to sing.
7. Draft verses. Add specific details and a time or place crumb. Let the verse show scenes and the chorus state the promise or the chant.
8. Arrange. Build intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus. Decide where horns and instrumental breaks live.
9. Record a rough demo. Use your DAW and basic takes. Send to a drummer or band member for feedback. Make small changes.
10. Polish. Tighten timing, add harmony vocals, finalize horn lines, and do a quick mix so the groove feels alive.

Songwriting Exercises for Compas Writers

The Pocket Drill

Set your metronome to 110 BPM. Program a basic drum groove with cowbell. Record a 60 second bassline that repeats. Play it back and clap on beats one and three while you sing nonsense syllables. Replace syllables with a name or phrase you like. Repeat until one phrase sticks.

Name Game

Write a list of five names. For each name list three small actions that person might do on a Friday night. Pick the most vivid pairing and write a chorus around it. Keep the chorus to four to six words repeated.

Instrumental Tag

Write a four bar hook on keyboard or horn. Repeat it four times. On the third repeat change one note to create a twist. This becomes your signature tag. Build the chorus around that tag.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

• Too many ideas. Fix by committing to one image or one small story per verse. Let other lines orbit that idea.
• Cluttered arrangement. Fix by removing one element at a time until the groove feels stronger. Less can help the pocket breathe.
• Chorus that is too wordy. Fix by cutting to the essential phrase. A chant style chorus often hits harder.
• Melody out of range. Fix by moving the melody down an octave or rewriting the phrase to fit the singer's comfortable range.
• Wrong tempo. Fix by testing a few variants. If people cannot find the step even in the room test at slightly faster or slightly slower BPM.

Case Study: Building a Compas Chorus

Example brief

Theme: A backyard party where everyone knows your ex and still dances anyway.

1. Core phrase: Everybody clap for Claire
2. Hook melody: Short rising minor third then step down then repeat. Easy to sing and repeat.
3. Chords: C minor to Bb to Ab to Bb. Very simple and cyclical.
4. Groove: 108 BPM with steady hat pattern, rimshot backbeat, cowbell ostinato.
5. Instrumentation: Bass groove, muted guitar stabs on off beats, horn answering the vocal line with two note stabs.

Chorus draft

Everybody clap for Claire

Everybody clap for Claire

She do it like she do not care

Why this works

• Short repeated phrase is easy for a crowd.
• Melody sits in a comfortable range.
• Instrumentation supports the chant without stealing it.

Collaborating With Producers and Bands

Bring a clear demo that shows your groove and chorus. If you are working with a producer send a demo with tempo and a simple click track. If the band will perform take time to rehearse transitions so the drummer and guitarist lock the pocket. Communication is the grown up part of art. Practice it.

Giving direction to the band

Describe the groove using dance language that the band understands. Say things like make the snare lighter here, or let the guitar breathe in the verse. Show examples of compas songs you love. Point to specific moments and ask for the same energy.

Modern Fusion and Experimentation

Compas is a living genre. Fusion with electronic elements, trap percussion, or R B flavor can produce hits. Keep the compas core intact by preserving the pocket and the call and response feel. Use modern textures as decoration not the foundation unless you plan to create a new hybrid style.

Real life scenario

You want a compas song with a trap hi hat. Keep the compas bass and guitar parts intact. Use trap hi hat rolls as a glossy top layer in the chorus. The dancers feel the compas heart and appreciate the modern sprinkle.

How to Finish and Release a Compas Song

1. Test live. Play the song for a small crowd or a rehearsal. See where people move and what hooks they chant back.
2. Refine. Adjust tempo or groove elements based on real world reaction. If people stand still add a more pronounced cowbell or horn punch.
3. Record properly. Use a good engineer who understands Caribbean rhythms. Mic choices and room feel matter for percussion and horns.
4. Mix for the dance floor. Keep low end tight and present. Make sure the kick and bass do not fight. Give vocal a clear place so the chorus can be heard through club systems.
5. Promote with visuals. Compas thrives with video. Show people dancing and name check locations. Short clips on social platforms help songs find rhythm with listeners.

Compas Songwriting FAQ

What tempo should a compas song be

Most compas tracks sit between 100 and 120 BPM. Choose slower for romantic slow jams and slightly faster for party songs. If the dancers cannot find the step test small changes up or down by five BPM and see what lands better with people in the room.

Do I need to sing in Creole to make an authentic compas song

No. You can write compas in English, French, Creole, or any mix. Singing in Creole adds local authenticity and can connect deeply with Haitian listeners. If you sing in another language explain any slang in your social posts to help new fans connect.

How do I make the groove feel real in a DAW

Humanize velocities and timing slightly. Add swing if necessary. Record a live percussionist if you can. Programming should mimic human imperfections so the groove breathes and does not sound robotic.

What instruments are essential for compas

Drums, bass, guitar or keyboard for the rhythmic motif, and horns or synth lead for melodic accents are the core. Percussion like congas and cowbell are very common and add essential flavor.

Can compas work with electronic production

Absolutely. Modern compas often blends electronic sounds with live instrumentation. Keep the pocket and the call and response structure as anchors. Use electronic elements to modernize without erasing the core identity.

How do I write a chorus that a crowd will sing back

Keep it short, repeat a name or phrase, and place it on a comfortable melody. Use strong vowels that carry in a crowd. Repeat the phrase twice to make it stick. Add a call and response element to invite participation.

How do I create a horn line that supports the vocal

Write short stabs that answer the vocal phrase. Keep the horn pattern repetitive with small variations on repeat sections. Let the vocal lead the phrasing and use horns to punctuate punchlines.

Should I notate parts for the band

If you plan to work with session musicians or a band write clear charts. Notation can be simple chord charts with rhythmic indications. Add small notes about feel and dynamics. Clarity in rehearsal saves time and tension.

How can I keep my compas song from sounding generic

Add one vivid personal detail in the lyrics and one signature instrumental tag in the arrangement. A small unexpected chord or a unique percussion sound can act as your fingerprint. Familiar structure plus a personal twist is the answer.