Songwriter Forum > The Writing Process
Some advice on writing an intro for a song
jonel:
Hi All,
I just about getting to grips with composing verse and chorus of a song. I am now at the stage where I would like to have a dabble at writing an intro. Has anybody got any tips on how best to proceed please?
Jonel
tone:
Hi Jonel
There are a couple of good techniques to get you started. Grab the chords to your verse or your chorus and play them before verse 1. Add an instrumental melody if it sounds appropriate. This could be a new melody or just the vocal melody for the verse or chorus played on an instrument. 8 or so bars is probably enough - your intro is there to set up the song, not to delay it. Don't give the listener a chance to get bored, especially if you're writing pop.
Hope that helps
Tone
The S:
Hi Jonel!
What Tone said, and I'd like to add, just plain old listening. Pick your favourite, idk, 20-50 songs, and just listen to them, what do they do? How do they start their songs and why?!! Use what's out there is my best suggestion.
Make a new playlist on Spotify, save your preferable number of favourite songs and just have a go and listen to intros.
Hope it helps!
Peter
Boydie:
Great advice given so far
The first question to ask for me is does your song NEED an intro at all - how would it sound just getting straight to it and start with the 1st verse, not all songs need an intro
I personally like a very SHORT intro (don't fall in to the trap of crafting a long intro)
For me an intro should "set up" the song, which IMHO experience can be distilled into 2 main approaches:
1 - Ballads and "softer" songs
A gentle intro that eases the listener in to the song - a short pause, breath, between the intro and the first verse is usually really effective and then the 1st verse picks up where the intro left off
2 - Rock and "harder" songs
The intro crashes in at around 80-90% power (saving 100% for the choruses at the end of the song) to create a dramatic impact and the power really drops down to a softer first verse to create a wonderful dynamic - e.g. Have loud powerful guitars for the intro, which then drop to palm muted vamping chords
These 2 approaches will definitely set you off on the right track whilst you explore variations and other approaches
Girawuth:
I'm looking for advice like this.
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