These days, the introduction (or ‘intro’) is usually a short instrumental phrase or riff that opens a song. It’s a kind of catchy melodic hook that is meant to have an immediate impact and is usually about four bars long. Its purpose is to get people interested in the song—like a sign in a shop window saying: “Come inside, we’ve got just what you’re looking for”.
However, many new writers waste this golden opportunity to invite listeners to step inside their song. They create self-indulgent intros that are way too long and much too complicated to make listeners sit up and take notice.
Music publishers, A&R reps and record producers don’t have the time or patience to sit through long boring intros. They may give up before your song even gets to the first verse. What they want to hear is a dynamic, memorable intro that quickly establishes the vibe, tempo and home key of the song and prepares them for the first verse.
An intro can be based on an important musical phrase from the main body of the song. Or it can be a catchy, stand-alone riff, written especially for the intro. Either way, listeners should be able to recognize it within the first couple of seconds after the song starts.
Not all songs have instrumental intros, of course. Some songs may open with the chorus, a solo vocal, or go straight into the first verse. But if you feel your song needs an intro, you must approach it as if you were writing a melodic hook for the chorus. In other words, try to create a short intro hook with ‘stick ability’.
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