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What is an intro in a song?

The intro is the opening of a song, before the first verse or hook. It sets the tempo, the key and the mood, often with part of the beat or a hint of the chorus melody, so the listener knows what kind of song this is before anyone sings.

Usually 4 bars · 2 to 8 bars in most songs; 16 to 32 in dance music

Where the intro goes

First. In pop it is often short, so the voice comes in within a few seconds; in EDM and house it is long and mostly drums, made for a DJ to mix in.

The intro, lit on a pop song map at 110 BPM.

Open this song map in the editor

A pop beat across all 72 bars, with a marker at each section, to change part by part. No account needed to start.

How long is an intro?

An intro usually runs 4 bars (2 to 8 bars in most songs; 16 to 32 in dance music). In seconds, that depends on the tempo:

How long an intro of 4 bars is at three tempos
Tempo4 bars8 bars
90 BPM11 s21 s
110 BPM9 s17 s
128 BPM8 s15 s

How to make an intro

  • Start with fewer parts than the chorus: the drums and one sound, or the chords alone, then bring the rest in at the verse.
  • Use a piece of the hook: the chorus chords through a filter, or the main melody on one instrument.
  • Keep it in fours, 4 or 8 bars, so the verse lands where the ear expects it.
  • In dance music, give the DJ 16 or 32 bars of beat with little else on top.

Questions about the intro

How long should an intro be?

Usually 4 to 8 bars: at 120 BPM, 4 bars is 8 seconds and 8 bars 16 seconds. Dance music intros run 16 to 32 bars, 30 seconds or more at 128 BPM.

Does every song need an intro?

No. Some songs start straight on the verse, and some open on the chorus or the hook, which is common in pop and rap.

Other parts of a song

VersePre-chorusChorusPost-chorusHookRefrainBridgeBreakdownDropOutro

Song maps with an intro

Pop song structureRap song structureEDM song structureHouse song structureRock song structureMetal song structureR&B song structureCountry song structure

Map out a song

The free editor opens with a pop 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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