The chorus is unbelievably catchy, the lyrics to your verse are sheer poetry, yet something in your magnum opus is still missing. The song seems flat and repetitive and needs a little something extra to get it going. This is when you need a killer bridge.
Dropped in after two verses and two choruses or used it in a run up to the chorus, the bridge is a great way to add variety and a twist to your song. Below, we give 5 easy tips for a killer bridge.
Mix Up the Time Signature
One great way to add interest to a bridge section is to mix up the time signatures and rhythms. If you are playing in a straight 4/4 pattern, you have a world of opportunities. Try changing to a bouncing waltz in 6/8 or a fast 2/2 polka.
Even if you find it hard to change your counting pattern, you can still mix up the rhythm a little. Change to offbeats or only strum on certain counts. All of this will alter the texture of your piece, adding much needed contrast.
Play with Major and Minor Switches
Another technique you can use for a killer bridge is to switch between major or minor harmony, depending on what comes before or after. For example, if your verse and chorus are both in major keys using bright, happy chords, add a bridge between them in a solemn, minor key.
This can also work the other way, adding a major inspired bridge to dark, minor pieces. This trick was popularized by The Beatles, who used this technique throughout the whole of their career.
Have a Breakdown
Less can be more when writing a song. In fact, the use of silence and texture is one of the most overlooked elements in song writing. Not everything has to be innovative, interesting and 100% foot to the pedal.
In fact, by stripping things back, you can really make other sections like the chorus and verse pop. Try a bridge that drops out the guitar and piano or uses single note counter melodies and lead instead of chords. Perhaps hold back on the melody or limit your lyrics to a single line or phrase.
Switch to a Different Lyrical Point of View
A bridge gives you a great opportunity to try a different approach to your lyrics. As it is separate from the verse and chorus and acts as a link, it can be used to explore different viewpoints outside the normal themes and constraints.
Use it to give an alternate viewpoint, even if it is not one you share. If you are writing a narrative, perhaps introduce a character or place into the lyrics.
Build the Dynamics
In a turnaround from using the bridge as a breakdown, why not use it to build to a climax. Start off quiet and light, the build up in a gradual crescendo.
This works well if you add a beat of silence or a stop right at the end, to really lift your next section. You can also use it to manipulate the listeners expectations, dropping a quiet section after it when the build-up has led them to believe a huge climax is coming.
Try a Few Out
In summary, it all comes to down to contrast. Make sure that your bridge has something that the other sections do not. Use the musical elements, particularly rhythm, melody, and harmony to set up the chorus or make the verse pop.
Ellie Mckinsey is a frequent writer on all things musical, particularly when it comes to learning and playing instruments, but also writes regularly on how to compose better songs. She has also been playing the guitar and piano since childhood and has even been teaching both instruments for the past five years. When not writing, Ellie enjoys learning new things and visiting new places. Her future travel plans include visiting Kilimanjaro and Easter Island to see the Moai statues once the Covid pandemic settles down. Check out more of her writing here: https://www.knowyourinstrument.com