Q&A for How to Write a Bridge for a Song

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What is a bridge in a song?

Tanisha Hall
Vocal Coach
Tanisha Hall is a Vocal Coach and the Founder and Executive Director of White Hall Arts Academy, Inc. an organization based in Los Angeles, California that offers a multi-level curriculum focused on fundamental skills, technique, composition, theory, artistry, and performance at a conservatory level. Ms. Hall's current and previous students include Galimatias, Sanai Victoria, Ant Clemons, and Paloma Ford. She earned a BA in Music from the Berklee College of Music in 1998 and was a recipient of the Music Business Management Achievement Award.

Tanisha Hall

Vocal Coach

Expert Answer

The bridge is your opportunity to get creative. For instance, you might switch from a major tone to a minor tone, you could change the beat or instrumentation, add harmonies, and so on. For instance, you might switch from minor to major, change from shakers to a full drum set, or swap your main instrument from guitar to piano. When it comes to lyrics, the bridge should present a question, answer a question, or further emphasize the point of your song. If the main idea of your song is "My love is gone," for instance, the bridge could present the idea, "Maybe being alone is what I need." From a melodic standpoint, the bridge can either echo an idea we've heard before or it can introduce a new idea. One common theme is to use the melody from the pre-chorus as the bridge. You could also use a rising melody and use chords that build intensity to help your final climactic chorus shine!

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Question

If my song lyrics are too long, how can I shorten them without losing the whole story of my song?

Community Answer

Presumably you've already thought of getting rid of any repetition and unnecessary information. If your chorus is the same each time, you could consider making them all different, using parts of your story from some of your verses, and then getting rid of those verses. But remember, songs don't have to be short. Rock and metal songs can be quite long, and even folk and hip-hop songs can get up to 10 minutes and beyond! You could also consider telling the same story over two to four songs that are meant to be listened to together (or even expanding it to an entire album).

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Question

How should I get my work noticed?

Community Answer

Social media is a good way to spread the word. I would recommend posting a few covers, along with some original songs that showcase your range on YouTube.

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Question

What is the difference between a "hook" and a "bridge" in songwriting?

Jelke de Jong

Community Answer

Usually, a hook is like a chorus, it repeats a few times in the song, and is catchy, while a bridge is more of a change in the music which happens one time in a song and consists of different lyrics and different chords than the chorus or verses.

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Question

Do I have to add a bridge to my song?

Community Answer

No, you don't have to. There are plenty of songs that are just verse-chorus-verse-chorus without a bridge. It's totally optional.

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Question

How can I find the melody to go with my bridge? I am creating my own song at the moment and I'm having trouble with the melody of the bridge.

Community Answer

That depends on many factors. Just close your eyes and let it flow.

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How do I make my song longer?

Community Answer

There are different ways to achieve this: 1. You can add more music in between verses or choruses etc. 2. You can repeat lines from your verse or chorus. 3. You can make your bridge longer; or, 4. You can add 'ooh's' or 'yeah's', etc.

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