How can you write a pre-chorus that builds anticipation?

I am very flattered to be asked to contribute as an expert in this field but I haven't got a clue as to what a pre-chorus is. I would certainly recommend writing and posting on @Linkedin for a bit of practise. I never wrote anything in my life 'till I started posting here. You will certainly find out if you are hitting the spot. Keep going, art can feel futile just remember the arts are beyond money and ownership.

Easy. Get in the "zone". And just DO IT! For me - the magic formula is "deep down in my soul". I just have to SUMMON it and the song is birthed . . .

A pre-chorus is a great opportunity to build anticipation and create a sense of heightened emotion before the chorus hits. Remember, the pre-chorus acts as a bridge between the verse and the chorus, creating a sense of anticipation and excitement. Experiment with these techniques, and tailor them to fit the mood and style of your song.

Think of the pre chorus as a bridge. An in-between the verse and chorus. It's the call before the response. It makes the chorus the answer to the bridge.

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Melodic Ascension: Build upward momentum in the melody. Consider raising the pitch or intensity of the pre-chorus melody, creating a musical climb that leads seamlessly into the chorus. This ascending motion can create a sense of anticipation. Lyric Contrasts: Set up a lyrical or emotional contrast between the verse and the pre-chorus. This can be achieved by introducing new themes, conflicting emotions, or heightened intensity, leaving listeners eager for resolution in the chorus. Rhythmic Changes: Rhythmic tension can contribute to the overall anticipation before the chorus. Instrumental Buildup. Hold Back on Full Chord Progressions: Restrict the full chord progressions in the pre-chorus.

We want to use chord that that causes tension and hold it. It can be minor or diminished. And change to a major cord when we begin the chorus. It changes the mood. We can also change the tempo.

This varies from song to song, but one way to do it is to use vocal range contrasts. Noving away from the verse's range creates both a sense of freshness and a 'craving' to return to the return to the baseline or the sweetspot. A good example is Taylor Swift's "Anti-Hero", in which she goes down to a very low range in the prechorus, making us crave her powerful mid range, before satisfying this craving in the chorus. Camilla Cabello goes in the other direction in "Never Be The Same", starting extremely low in the verse and going to the other extreme in the prechorus, and finally arriving at a powerful chorus in her sweetspot range.

I'm not a songrwriter but a content creator who happens to be a lifelong music fan and I believe the "chorus, don't bore us" adage can be applied to content both within and outside the world of music. I believe you want to hook a listener (or reader, for that matter) with the chorus immediately; then give them a bit more context, and repeat again. The point is to draw your audience in right away and keep them wanting more. A great practitioner of this is the songwriter Desmond Child and if you want examples, pull up "You Give Love a Bad Name" by Bon Jovi, or more recently, "Kings & Queens" by Ava Max, both penned by Child.

Vocal Intensity: Increase the intensity of the vocals in the pre-chorus. This can include more emotive singing, higher vocal range, or harmonies that add depth. The heightened vocal performance contributes to the anticipation leading into the chorus. Remember, the pre-chorus acts as a bridge between the verse and the chorus, creating a sense of anticipation and excitement. Experiment with these techniques, and tailor them to fit the mood and style of your song.

14.44 (444) I am in agreement with this method I use it frequently Repetition is the glue that holds our very fabric together…people are programmed by repetition that’s how a song is embedded in your consciousness and subconscious that’s why the radio ?? keeps playing songs over and over again

One thing that might helpful to add on pre-chorus, musically. Sometimes we can add a little "pause" right before the chorus, just to put a little attention so the listeners can have some anticipation to present the "important" part of the song.

Introduce a change in dynamics, such as a slight increase in volume or intensity, to signal a transition from the verse to the chorus. This shift can create a sense of anticipation for what's coming next. Lyrically Tease the Chorus. Melodic Ascension. Build upward momentum in the melody. Consider raising the pitch or intensity of the pre-chorus melody, creating a musical climb that leads seamlessly into the chorus. This ascending motion can create a sense of anticipation.

One thing I found helpful is the overall song structure. How many verses , chorus and bridges do you have? Is the song vocal based or instrument based? Only add it if you need.

Keep it Short and Sweet: The pre-chorus typically is shorter than the verse. Its main function is to set up the chorus, so don’t over write or over think it. The pre-chorus should complement both the verse and the chorus, creating a cohesive and engaging flow in your song.

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