Working out intros

TheMadMick

I am a reasonably competent player but the thing I can't work out is how to develop an introduction. I can usually do it when someone else has developed it but where to start otherwise.

The things I have tried (some successful others less so):

Run through the chord sequence often with variations to the actual chords e.g. play a sus2 or sus4 for the major. These can be strummed or pattern picked.

Play the tune or variations on the tune - usually single notes.

Recently, I've been combining the single note runs with chords which seems to work for a few pieces.

I don't need to find out what to do rather, how to do it.

Any input appreciated.

Sambostar

Tannin

Introductions? Easy. Try these well-tested classics ...

"Hi. Do you come here often? My name is Bruce."

Or "G'day. Wanna dance?"

Or, of course, "Hello. Read any good books lately?"

Roland

TheMadMick said:

I don't need to find out what to do rather, how to do it.

I’m not sure what your question is. Are you asking about how to start a song you’ve written?

There’s always the conventional “Waan, two, free, four”

Freebird

Some inspiration for you

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/203622/best-song-intros

TheMadMick

Thanks guys. I'm starting to get a feel for it.

Roland said:

TheMadMick said:

I don't need to find out what to do rather, how to do it.

I’m not sure what your question is. Are you asking about how to start a song you’ve written?

There’s always the conventional “Waan, two, free, four”

I know how to play but not how to work out what I should / could be playing. However, the link to the best song intros was helpful.

Freebird

TheMadMick said:

I know how to play but not how to work out what I should / could be playing. However, the link to the best song intros was helpful.

I knew it would come in handy one day 

PolarityMan

Play the best riff on one guitar with everything else hitting the accent notes with stabs.

PolarityMan

Play the verse of chorus with shit tone. 

Bezzer

PolarityMan said:

Play the verse of chorus with shit tone. 

Oh I wish that would go away ha ha

Yes I’ve done it shut up ....

mart

You could take the approach Bruce Springsteen used on the Born to Run album* - just play a verse or chorus of what sounds like a completely different song and segue in somehow.

* Notably Tenth Ave Freeze Out and Jungleland

PolarityMan

Bezzer said:

PolarityMan said:

Play the verse of chorus with shit tone. 

Oh I wish that would go away ha ha

Yes I’ve done it shut up ....

Also works for a bridge! 

Freebird

mart said:

You could take the approach Bruce Springsteen used on the Born to Run album* - just play a verse or chorus of what sounds like a completely different song and segue in somehow.

* Notably Tenth Ave Freeze Out and Jungleland

Something like this?

danishbacon

Variation of an arpeggio of a relative major or minor of first couple of chords can be helpful in coming up with an introductory melody. 

JohnS37

mart said:

You could take the approach Bruce Springsteen used on the Born to Run album* - just play a verse or chorus of what sounds like a completely different song and segue in somehow.

* Notably Tenth Ave Freeze Out and Jungleland

Yup.  Any old riff that you filed away somewhere but never used could do it.  Preferably in the same key . . but even that doesn’t seem to matter too much.  Just tack it on and, like the man says, segue into the song somehow.
This random approach also works for bridges.

EricTheWeary

A lot of songs start with the chorus, more so now than perhaps ever. You often need to work out a link that gets you into the chorus ( even just a couple of bars establishing the groove on the drums) but it’s a way to get people to hear the hook before they pass over their 15 seconds of listening online. There are lists of songs starting with the chorus but from The Beatles to Taylor Swift, from Green Day to Professor Green. 

Complex instrumental intros that slowly build into the song reserved for those deep album cuts. 

https://www.songfacts.com/category/songs-that-start-with-the-chorus

mart

Freebird said:

mart said:

You could take the approach Bruce Springsteen used on the Born to Run album* - just play a verse or chorus of what sounds like a completely different song and segue in somehow.

* Notably Tenth Ave Freeze Out and Jungleland

Something like this?

Sort of, but when Springsteen did it, he got all of the band to play the same completely different song.

TheMadMick

OK. That's a bit off the wall.

Springywheel

A few ideas off the top of my head.

Chord melody of one of the vocal lines. Double stops, or jazz it up with some add9s

Spoken word intro

Harmonics 

Strum muted strings 

Whistling?

Springywheel

Sambostar said:

I’m sure this relates to the discussion in some way, but i have to admit it’s gone right over my head. 

TheMadMick

Think I'm there now folks. Thanx for all your advice.