Music Terms Used to Describe Song Sections
Updated 2022
Estimated time to read: 4 minutes
Imagine yourself in a worship rehearsal. A team member is trying to share an idea of how the team could play a new song, but it’s just not making sense. If everyone knew the same basic terms used to describe sections within songs, there wouldn’t be any confusion. This can happen to anyone so here are the basic terms used to describe all sections of a song.
Sections:
Names of Each Section Within a Song
Introduction
Verse
Pre-Chorus
Chorus
Bridge
Solo/Instrumental
Outro
Wrapping it up
Names of Each Section Within a Song
The sections of a song may seem obvious to some musicians, but I don’t want to exclude the aspiring musicians out there, so let’s start from the beginning.
Song sections don’t apply just to worship songs but to all songs. So the next time you’re listening to the radio or a new album, see if you can pick out which sections are in each song.
Introduction
The Introduction, or Intro for short, is typically the opening of a song. If the song has a particular melody or hook that’s played by the electric guitar or piano, for instance, this is where it would be played. There are almost always no words so it would be considered an instrumental section.
Verse
The Verse is the section that typically follows the Intro and before the Pre Chorus or Chorus. The dynamics of a Verse are often less than a Chorus, which means that it doesn’t sound as loud or full (Dynamics are explained more in this post). The Verse has lyrics that usually tell a story or explain the context for the song. If there’s more than one Verse then the words are different in each one. The second Verse can come after the first Verse or after the Chorus. Some songs can repeat the first Verse but that depends on the song.
Pre-Chorus
The Pre-Chorus is simply that, a section that precedes, or comes before, the Chorus. This is similar to a verse in that it has words (lyrics) and leads into the Chorus. The main distinction is that it’s usually joined more closely with a Chorus rather than as another Verse. Musically the Pre-Chorus is very dynamic which means that as you head toward the Chorus, the intensity and volume of the song builds. The Pre-Chorus is an odd section because some songs are written with them and some are not. It can really be hit or miss.
Chorus
The intensity from the Pre Chorus (if there is one) or the Verse culminates into the Chorus. The Chorus is typically the biggest/fullest/loudest section in the song. The words in the Chorus are typically very catchy, easy to understand, and easy to sing along with. The melody of the Chorus is also catchy and easy to remember. If you catch yourself singing the words of the song, typically it’s the Chorus. After the Chorus there can be a second Chorus if you’re further along in the song, a repeat of the Intro that may lead into a second Verse, or go straight into a Bridge.
Bridge
A Bridge is usually completely different than the rest of the sections within a song, especially musically. In terms of lyrics, Bridges are typically simpler than a Chorus in the number of words, although they don’t have to be. Musically, the Bridge of a song uses chords that haven’t been used in the previous sections or are in a different order to create a sound and feel that contrasts the rest of the song. For instance, the Chorus might be G D Em C and the Bridge might be Am Em C D. Starting the Bridge with a powerful minor chord is very common but not a requirement.
Solo/Instrumental
A song doesn’t always have a solo or an instrumental section, especially if the song is really about the message that the words convey. However, music is a powerful communicator and can solidify the emotion of the lyrics. In worship, this section is typically at the discretion of the worship/band leader and can depend on a number of different factors like time limits or the musicians’ skill levels. As the title of this section suggests, one instrument is typically featured as a soloist for this part of the song. This doesn’t mean that everyone stops playing except for that musician, although it’s possible with a drum or bass solo. Rather, everyone keeps playing the rhythm section behind the soloist and the instrument playing the solo is featured more prominently in the sound mix.
Outro
The Outro is the opposite of the Intro. The only difference is that it’s played at the end of a song. Sometimes it’s the same as the Intro, and sometimes it’s just a vamp of the Chorus. It all depends on what comes next after the song. The main point here is the song is almost over, so if you have a special song ending or transition planned, it would happen here.
Wrapping it up
While not every song will follow all of these sections, it’s good to know what sections are commonly used and available. Next time you have an idea, knowing these section names will help you communicate your ideas to your team.
