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What is a pre-chorus?

A pre-chorus is a short section between a verse and the chorus that builds toward it. The chords move away from home, the melody climbs, and the drums thin out or build, so the chorus feels like a release when it lands.

Also called the lift or the build.

Usually 4 bars · 4 or 8 bars

Where the pre-chorus goes

Between each verse and the chorus, with the same or nearly the same words each time. Not every song has one.

The pre-chorus, 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 a pre-chorus?

A pre-chorus usually runs 4 bars (4 or 8 bars). In seconds, that depends on the tempo:

How long a pre-chorus 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 a pre-chorus

  • End on a chord that wants to move, often the IV or the V, so the chorus resolves it.
  • Raise the melody, or shorten the phrases, as it goes.
  • Take the kick out for the last bar, or add a riser, so the chorus hits harder.

Questions about the pre-chorus

Does every song need a pre-chorus?

No. Many songs go straight from the verse to the chorus. A pre-chorus helps when the verse is much calmer than the chorus and needs a step up between them.

How long is a pre-chorus?

Usually 4 or 8 bars. At 110 BPM, 4 bars is about 9 seconds.

Other parts of a song

IntroVerseChorusPost-chorusHookRefrainBridgeBreakdownDropOutro

Song maps with a pre-chorus

Pop song structureMetal song structureR&B 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.

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