How are beats arranged ?

     Introduction 

   Arranging a beat better is not hard which means that organizing and structuring a beat to keep it ready for the artist to sing. Not only that but an arranged beat is more interesting and entertaining while keeping the listener exploring more, this is not likely to become boring. I would like to say that it is important to arrange a beat to discover the idea over which a singer can put something on that beat.

  Another reason to arrange your beat is that when you are arranging a beat you adhere to the professional framework working with every artist on the planet which makes your beat understandable, assured ,desirable and finally easier marketing.

  The primary beat is structured into sub-sections called bars. These bars are arranged together to form a basic arrangement with sections which are Intro, pre-chorus, Chorus, Verses, bridge and Outro.

 Note that: The whole structural function is placed into a playlist in a Digital Audio Workstation(DAW).

Picture to show arranged beat sections in FL studio


  How are beats arranged? 

The following tips explain how beats are arranged:-

  •   Intro section. 

   Just like the word itself "Intro" means the beginning of the beat. This section is basically where the beat starts. You should be careful when you are arranging sound instruments in this section because the intro section is what motivates the listener the first time. If the intro is not well arranged it can sound not interesting and might as well give doubt about the rest part of the beat.

  In an ordinary beat, the intro part comprises at least 2 bars but this does not mean it cannot be more bars, Sometimes it can be 4 bars and above. For Example, In Modern trap or hip-hop beat, that way it becomes understandable and functional however it can be long when it comes to the artist's choice. I want you to understand this basic arrangement for artists and it is used to introduce and establish your beat. This is specifically for the genre and rhythm functionality as well as the key of the beat.

 Things to consider : -

  1.   Quality.
  2.   Correct key.
  3.   Put an interesting melody.
  4.   Add Effects such as FX and filter. (Optional) 

  •  Pre - Chorus Section.

Pre Means "before ".This means that is a section before Main Chorus. This part adds a welcoming flavor with either a sweet melody or chord progression that technically sounds more staging and upright than a Chorus. Again it can set between 4 to 8 bars second after the intro part. Pre-chorus creates a seamless transition from a previous section. The Ideal length of Pre - Chorus is about half the length of your chorus or verse.

Note that pre-chorus is an optional component.

  •   Verse part.

This is another part where the song resides. Basically, there are two verses. In a singer stylish a verse explaining a message to be sent by the artist. This should be long enough to fit for the artist to sing. In most cases, it is 16 bars each. Back to the beat arrangement, the usual thing to remember is to keep it more realistic to sing; sometimes the artist does not prefer a lot of different instruments in this section, but this does not mean you need to skip what is a good match for this outfit. I mean you need to be calibrated, and simple and make sure it is easier to motivate to write down lyrics. This should have a rhythm too. This is where storytelling takes place.

 Things to consider in the section:

  1. Consider the length of the bars 
  2. Create a chord progression with a clear rhythm.

  •  Chorus part.

Your beat must have a section where an artist can put a chorus lines.

 This is a part of a song which is repeated after each verse. In most cases, this part is the part that is more memorable and easy to catch because it is repetitive. This might also function as a summary of information to provide an overall message simply. Just In case you did not know chorus has the same melody. A song can have two choruses applied to the normal beat.

 In most beats, the chorus consists of 8 bars long enough.

   Basically you should be aware that when you are arranging your instrumental sounds in the playlist you are supposed to leave 8 bars after each verse(a total number of 16 bars for two choruses).

  On the other hand, there are beats with 8,12,16 bars of chorus that are possible to happen in a world of creativity.


  •  Bridge.

Just like the word itself. The bridge is a part joining between two sections of a beat or song. This optional. This connects a verse to a chorus. This might as well differ from the rest of the beat by having a chord progression to add variation. The same thing happens on the other side when the artist sings on the beat, this is a contrasting section that prepares the return of a second chorus. This is meant to feel different and serving them both helps to add surprising or variances to the repetitiveness of the rest of the beat or song parts.

 Typically the bridge in most songs the length of a bridge is 4 or 8 bars.


   How to structure a bridge : -

Introduce a new Instruments or an instrument solo 

Create a new melody that is different from the verse and chorus.

  1. Create a new chord progression.
  2. Identify a good placement for a bridge.
  3. Change drum pattern flows of a beat.

   How to find a bridge chord: -

Bridge chords often go in a direction that is different from the rest without changing  key.


  • Outro 

This is the last part of a beat. This is a conclusion. A distinct closing section at the end of a beat. In some way it comprises instruments that are introduced early in the beat but it is not repetitive, unlike the chorus and Verses.

Normally Outro length is 4 bars.

Technically some artist : -

  1. Create Volume automation to lower the volume down 
  2.  Create a filter or fader 
  3.  Remove hits at the end 
  4.  Remove Snare drums 

Although these means are not concerned with rules it is a creative choice.

Generally, a beat is structured in the following arrangement :

First is the intro > second is Verse 1 > Third is the chorus >fourth is Verse 2 >fifthly is the chorus>sixth is the bridge > and Last Is the Outro. 

 The above arrangement is considered basically for a normal beat applied by the guidelines, known as ABABCB. Where A stands for Verse, B is Chorus, and C is Bridge.


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