If you’ve ever played in a band you’ll be familiar with the MD calling “last 8 bars intro”. It’s an easy sure-fire way of getting a song started in the right key and at the right tempo. But it’s also a bit lazy and boring.

A truly great intro can be so much more.

So what are your favourite intros?

I’m going to jump straight to an intro that for me ticks every box: it’s stunningly beautiful; it epitomises the song without giving it all away at the start; it powerfully reappears as an outro; in a handful of bars it deliciously melds the collaboration of arranger, rock artist and orchestra.

So this is it; a truly great intro to the song Whenever I Say Your Name as performed by Sting and Jo Lawry in Berlin with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra on the Symphonicities Tour of 2010.

“Concertmaster Gerald Gregory’s violin introduction to ‘Whenever I Say Your Name’ is so exquisite it sends tingles down your spine” – A Touch of Class – a review of Sting ”Live in Berlin”

It’s such a fittingly dramatic intro to the remarkable intertwined vocal duet between Sting and Jo Lawry, and the cascading variants in colour and mood in the overall arrangement, including a reeds solo from Sting regular, Branford Marsalis.

So what are the most important considerations for a successful song intro? Here are a few:

• 1. Unique – Test it. Play your intro and if it could be the intro for several songs in your repertoire, rewrite it. If you catch the opening bars of this song it simply couldn’t be anything except Bach-infused intro to A Whiter Shade of Pale. It doesn’t pay to mess with iconic intros like that one; four decades later it was replaced by a nondescript orchestral intro, and gone too was the unique sound of the Hammond Organ with the magnificent Donald Leslie speaker.
• 2. Evocative – Does it evoke the spirit of the song accurately? Is it blue enough, swinging enough?
• 3. Interest – If your intro is 8 bars, don’t just repeat 4 bars twice. Make the second set of 4 bars build on the first with additional instruments or melodic variation.

The 4-bar intro the Oliver Nelson’s “Stolen Moments” – simple, unique and evocative.

But what would I know? There’s certainly more to it than that, and for me music performance has only every been a side-hustle, so I asked that know-it-all, AI.

Brian: What are the 10 most important rules for music arrangers for creating a pop song introduction?

ChatGPT @ OpenAI:

Creating a compelling pop song introduction involves a combination of creativity, musicality, and an understanding of the genre. While there aren’t strict rules, here are ten guidelines that can help music arrangers craft effective pop song introductions:

1. Capture Attention Quickly:
   • Start with a hook or a distinctive musical element to grab the listener’s attention within the first few seconds.
2. Establish the Mood:
   • Set the tone for the song by establishing the mood and emotion. Consider the lyrics and overall theme of the song.
3. Limit Duration:
   • Keep the introduction relatively short. Pop songs often have concise intros to maintain listener interest.
4. Build Anticipation:
   • Use musical elements to build anticipation for the rest of the song. This could involve a gradual increase in intensity or the introduction of new instruments.
5. Introduce Key Elements:
   • Showcase key musical and sonic elements that will be featured throughout the song, such as the main melody, chord progression, or a signature instrument.
6. Dynamic Contrast:
   • Incorporate dynamic contrast to make the introduction engaging. This can involve variations in volume, instrumentation, or rhythm.
7. Consider Vocals:
   • If vocals are part of the introduction, make sure they are captivating and contribute to the overall atmosphere of the song.
8. Connect with the Chorus:
   • Create a smooth transition from the introduction to the chorus. This connection is crucial for maintaining the flow of the song.
9. Use Contemporary Production Techniques:
   • Stay informed about current production trends and techniques in pop music to ensure your arrangements sound modern and relevant.
10. Experiment and Innovate:
    • Don’t be afraid to experiment with unconventional sounds or arrangements. Innovation can help your song stand out in a crowded musical landscape.

Ultimately, the best introductions are those that complement the unique characteristics of the song while engaging the listener from the start.