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What is a breakdown in music?

In dance music, a breakdown is the section where the drums and bass drop out and the song falls back to pads, chords or a vocal, before a build-up brings everything back for the drop. In metal and hardcore, a breakdown is close to the opposite: a heavy, slowed-down section of chugging guitars and half-time drums.

Usually 16 bars · 8 to 32 bars in dance music; 8 or 16 in metal

Where the breakdown goes

In EDM and house, between the first drop and the second. In metal, often after the second chorus.

The breakdown, lit on an EDM song map at 128 BPM.

Open this song map in the editor

An EDM beat across all 96 bars, with a marker at each section, to change part by part. No account needed to start.

How long is a breakdown?

A breakdown usually runs 16 bars (8 to 32 bars in dance music; 8 or 16 in metal). In seconds, that depends on the tempo:

How long a breakdown of 16 bars is at three tempos
Tempo16 bars32 bars
90 BPM43 s1:25
110 BPM35 s1:10
128 BPM30 s1:00

How to make a breakdown

  • In dance music, take out the kick and the bass, keep the chords and a melody, and let a filter or a reverb open the space.
  • Keep a hint of the drop’s melody, so its return feels earned.
  • In metal, drop to half-time: low, palm-muted notes in a syncopated rhythm that locks with the kick.

Questions about the breakdown

How long is a breakdown in EDM?

Usually 16 bars, sometimes 32: at 128 BPM, 16 bars is 30 seconds.

What is the difference between a breakdown and a bridge?

A bridge brings new chords and words. A breakdown takes parts away, mostly the drums and the bass.

Other parts of a song

IntroVersePre-chorusChorusPost-chorusHookRefrainBridgeDropOutro

Song maps with a breakdown

EDM song structureHouse song structureMetal song structure

Map out a song

The free editor opens with an EDM beat laid out as a whole song, a marker at each section. Change any part, add one, or take one away.

Open a song mapSong structure

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