Most of my *pop* tunes have really abrupt intros. I try to imagine how they might fit in to a random playlist playing in the back ground and so I like to get them kicked off and full bore ASAP.

I hear many songs here at the songs forum with long and intricate intros, and frankly, I get envious some times. It seems to make the songs feel more serious while also seeming more entertaining or interesting when I am listening with full attention.

I wonder about the what/how/why other people think about good ways to introduce a song.




best regards,
mike

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y15iusA4ylc

Intro rules for me:

1. Keep the intro under 13 seconds. (it's the average country song intro length)

2. Don't use an intro at all, get right into the song. (film & TV cues)

'ello  is always a good start to a tune.


Long or short, soft or loud, gentle build up or bang straight in.  All depends on the atmosphere you're trying to create and your target audience.
You'll set the tone for the song in the first 5 seconds, and the average AnR guy with a stack of CDs from floor to ceiling may only listen to the first 10 - 20 seconds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-DkkpGk5h0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8l37utZxMQ

I've been thinking about using my wife's piano for the beginning of a minimalistic piece here..then building it up from there...adding things that way seems the way to go with this one... 

the intro:a.k.a-"the hand shake"
to some the most critical part of the song,
weather it be a dynamicaly inclined opening or a slap in the face.
either way you lok at it visual every opening to your songs as a curtain droping and an explostion of feeling.

its really the finest line of having someone clutched by ear or using their hand to turn off your song.
intros to me are like a  funny story,if you fail to catch someones intrest with the biggining of a joke,you best get to the punch line asap.

Karyn


'ello  is always a good start to a tune.


Long or short, soft or loud, gentle build up or bang straight in.  All depends on the atmosphere you're trying to create and your target audience.
You'll set the tone for the song in the first 5 seconds, and the average AnR guy with a stack of CDs from floor to ceiling may only listen to the first 10 - 20 seconds.

Spot on Karyn

One of my prog rock pieces has an intro of about 5 minutes before you hear any singing

If you can't be self-indulgent in Prog Rock then when can you?

Bristol_Jonesey

Karyn


'ello  is always a good start to a tune.


Long or short, soft or loud, gentle build up or bang straight in.  All depends on the atmosphere you're trying to create and your target audience.
You'll set the tone for the song in the first 5 seconds, and the average AnR guy with a stack of CDs from floor to ceiling may only listen to the first 10 - 20 seconds.

Spot on Karyn

One of my prog rock pieces has an intro of about 5 minutes before you hear any singing

If you can't be self-indulgent in Prog Rock then when can you?

Jazz?? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nice