The intro is the opening section placed at the start of a song. Before the vocal or the main theme begins, it conveys the tempo, tone, rhythm, and atmosphere to the listener. Intros range from a single short sound to long passages built on a memorable phrase.
What an intro does
The intro is where you hint at what kind of song is about to begin. Presenting the BPM and the rhythm first makes it easy to settle in, while leading with chords and tone establishes the world of the song. In songs where the vocal starts immediately, momentum sometimes takes priority over extra information.
Common approaches
Typical methods include showing a small piece of the chorus melody or a memorable short phrase up front, playing a simplified version of the verse’s chord progression, and building anticipation with drums or sound effects. Choosing one central element keeps the intro from becoming cluttered.
Judging the length
The right length depends on the tempo and the purpose. Keep it short when the first impression on streaming matters, or make it longer when you are setting a mood for video or a live show. Working in bars, trying 8 or 16, makes it easier to organize.
Tips for building it in your DAW
Writing the main body of the song first and then thinning out its parts to make the intro is quick and reliable. Adding changes such as narrowing the sound with a filter, bringing the drums in later, or raising the volume gradually creates a doorway into the main song.
Connecting to the next section
It matters that the end of the intro leads naturally into the verse or the chorus. Try preparing a cue that the next part is starting, such as resting the last beat, adding a fill, or resolving the chord.
