Introductions to songs? NOT A LYRIC!!
 

For up-tempo band songs (with a musical introduction - no vocals in the first 15 seconds or so), do you prefer...

1) A slowly building-up introduction, whch builds up moment and volume until the song's in full flow.

2) A short but sweet opening with a couple of instruments playing a theme before the rest of the band kick in.

3) A song that starts with full-force (KABOOM!) and quietens down when the vocals pop up.

Or something else? And why?



I'm asking this as a fan of short, energetic introductions over drawn-out prologues - and I'm thinking about converting my band fully to this cause...

Begin with the FURY and let the storm NEVER cease http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f3...mpslap/up3.gif

Any of the above work for me, obviously it depends on the mood of the song.
A good intro to a song is half the battle, in fact I'd say the first 20 seconds determine whether or not I'm going to like it.

Drums to start is always effective, followed by the rest of the band kicking in.

EDIT: Not keen on tractor noises, but love the sound of a Manchester tram setting off. :thumb:

You're right - I think from now on we're going to spend the time to make sure every song has a kick-ass intro. Maybe we'll throw in some samples of trams, just for you Right Track.

The current intro I'm pushing to put into a song (the recorded version at least) is for a very dancy disco-rock style song we've written. At the moment its just a guitar playing some choppy chords, but I want to change it to a 4 part vocal harmony introduction, with a bass going "uh uh uhhhh" (in a sleazy way), two tenor parts in thirds, going "come on, girl" as a repeating riff and a baritone speaking this in a very plummy, posh accent:

"Girl, you may be prim and softly spoken
But the way I touch those hips will make your pursed lips open
I'll have you panting like a hound from the moment we start
You're going to take this midnight silence
(backing vocals drop out)
and tear it apart"

And then the whole band kicks in with the main riff. Anyway, do you think that putting vocal harmonies and a fox-hunter like voice at the beginning of a rock song would be too off-the-wall? Or would it just be a fucking great into?

sounds too funky too me....might just kill the mood if people go "wtf??"

oh and check The Doors - LA Woman, for the best intro ever....( or do i just have a soft spot for the base line?)
or, rage against the machine - take the power back ( a bit different, the bass in the centre again )...damn, i forgot how funky the first album is....*goes to listen to RATM*

Catch 22 - Keasbey Nights

Every track has a great intro with nothing to do with the song, really different and cool

Bring that shit in. Yeah, we need something like that at the beginning of songs...

you know it! when those drums kick in, you just go crazy! ( or is that just me?....:()

ok, by the description of you music i would say you should check out the infadels ( specially love like semtex, i have no idea why the opening hook wasn't exploited more in the song, it's incredible )...they have some interesting intros....