Bridges: Yes/No?

voicegenius · 5th February 2010

I like bridges, but are a pain in my left cheek to do... It's like coming up with a whole new song without losing the vibe of what you have... It's not that I can't do them, it's just tryin to think outside, again, the box you're already are thinking out of... IDK, maybe I'm thinking too hard...

Some R&B, and even some pop songs, have "naked" bridges... But, producers like the Underdogs, Max Martin, Danja are KINGS of great bridges... Do you feel the same or do you even care about bridges? I know some songs are just verse, chorus, verse, chorus and can be great if the beat is well executed along with the melody...

MikeyMike · 5th February 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by voicegenius

I like bridges, but are a pain in my left cheek to do... It's like coming up with a whole new song without losing the vibe of what you have... It's not that I can't do them, it's just tryin to think outside, again, the box you're already are thinking out of... IDK, maybe I'm thinking too hard...

Some R&B, and even some pop songs, have "naked" bridges... But, producers like the Underdogs, Max Martin, Danja are KINGS of great bridges... Do you feel the same or do you even care about bridges? I know some songs are just verse, chorus, verse, chorus and can be great if the beat is well executed along with the melody...

Those producers work with many different musicians on their projects as well. Songs are very rarely produced by a one man show. Find somebody who can bring a new ear to the equation. Simple. A bridge doesn't necessarily have to change the structure of the beat. Drop the main melody and letting the backing harmonies or the counter melodies stay can do the job. Then it's up to the song writer and performer.

Lrmusic · 5th February 2010

Yes; I like good bridges (unless it's an uptempo dance tune or rap in which case it's not necessary). Hard to explain, but without them it feels like the story hasn't been completely told; just feels like there is something "missing"...and the song didn't cover all bases.

But bridges are so 20th century, the craze of the 21st century is going to be interludes.

Chris Lago · 5th February 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeyMike

Songs are very rarely produced by a one man show.

Actual songs on the radio, definitely. Tons of people contributing.

MikeyMike · 5th February 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrislago

Actual songs on the radio, definitely. Tons of people contributing.

Not today's radio, yesteryears radio, hence all the crud

CRACKPIPE · 5th February 2010

I always put a bridge in my rap beats. Deepens the musical journey for everyone from the listener to the rapper.

jbrown1music · 5th February 2010

the more u try the better u get. a bridge doesnt have to be tht complex tho. just make tht part climax.

Rukas · 5th February 2010

Ive been recording a rap/alternate rock/blues album and have a bridge of some sort on damn near every song, but I think it should definitely be lead instrument driven.

First two singles: Take Vienna

beat you down · 5th February 2010

for hip hop?

no.

bebopxx · 5th February 2010

Isn't the song form for hiphop/rap-> A A A A ? ( then just copy/paste )

beat you down · 5th February 2010

if the beat and mc both are top notch... yes.

if not... then you probably going to need more ''dressing''

voicegenius · 5th February 2010

That's why people like Dre and Tim are top notch producers... Most tracks you hear from them definitely have bridges... Dr. Dre with Eminem especially...

piccazzo · 5th February 2010

i think a bridge or a middle eight is a great way of adding energy to the hook.
It often brings the hook forward and if you have a good hook it will stand out more.

But i feel the same as you , i try to make the bridges distinct so the change the feel of the track for a brief moment , sometimes it works sometimes it don't , then i just go the easy way and bring in the drums and maybe a melody before going into the last Chorus.

Nahuel · 5th February 2010

a nice way of building bridges without getting a headhache is to switch to the relative minor/major.

FredYeah · 5th February 2010

Or switch chords around. I love bridges. Especially the bridges that breakdown to just the beat and graduatly all the instruments come back in again...

MotifStudios · 5th February 2010

I love bridges.. My personal style is building up and up.. However I like dropping elements sometimes too, what you referred to as 'naked'. Sounds hot sometimes, not great other times...

Maybe try other instruments, or messing with the current instrument you have in a different way, chop it up twist it around :D

The great thing about dropping elements out is when you bring the chorus in and drop the elements back WITH more, it sounds awesome.

jbrown1music · 5th February 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by beat you down

for hip hop?

no.

raps can have bridges too. doesnt have to be a full blown elton johnesque but something to create a climax and resoltution.

beat you down · 5th February 2010

sure.

all i'm saying... you don't need to if the mc and beats are up to par.

in the end... it all depends but i like to stick to certain boundaries / restrictions.

Chris Lago · 5th February 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeyMike

Not today's radio, yesteryears radio, hence all the crud

That's not true. Pretty sure that Timbaland has a big team, same with Danja and others. I am working on a song where 4 people are contributing.

MYAMS · 5th February 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by voicegenius

I like bridges, but are a pain in my left cheek to do... It's like coming up with a whole new song without losing the vibe of what you have... It's not that I can't do them, it's just tryin to think outside, again, the box you're already are thinking out of... IDK, maybe I'm thinking too hard...

Some R&B, and even some pop songs, have "naked" bridges... But, producers like the Underdogs, Max Martin, Danja are KINGS of great bridges... Do you feel the same or do you even care about bridges? I know some songs are just verse, chorus, verse, chorus and can be great if the beat is well executed along with the melody...

Dude, don't fret so much I used to be kinda confused about what to do with bridges but its pretty easy... Use little cmpositional tricks here and there and keep it natural and single. SInce ur a singwriter, jsut sing out your chorus and see where you naturally end up freestyling for a bridge and get it down on the keys.

Underdogs have some more complex RnB bridges which are nice but not necessary, that sound is even not in style

Martin uses the good old pop trick you should know bout, go to the 6th for the first chord and do a simple new progression form there! Also the infamous dim7 going up the keys at the end lol... take a look at Dr. Luke tracks like "Right Round" "Tik Tok" and you will know exactly what I am talking about

Danja- honestly, hes more of a breakdown guy lol... not sure what bridges you really were imrpessed by

voicegenius · 5th February 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by MYAMS

Dude, don't fret so much I used to be kinda confused about what to do with bridges but its pretty easy... Use little cmpositional tricks here and there and keep it natural and single. SInce ur a singwriter, jsut sing out your chorus and see where you naturally end up freestyling for a bridge and get it down on the keys.

Underdogs have some more complex RnB bridges which are nice but not necessary, that sound is even not in style

Martin uses the good old pop trick you should know bout, go to the 6th for the first chord and do a simple new progression form there! Also the infamous dim7 going up the keys at the end lol... take a look at Dr. Luke tracks like "Right Round" "Tik Tok" and you will know exactly what I am talking about

Danja- honestly, hes more of a breakdown guy lol... not sure what bridges you really were imrpessed by

That 6th you're talkin bout would probably do the trick 90% of the time... Yeah, idk know why I said Danja... maybe because I was just listening to "Get Naked" even tho that has no bridge either... chords in there are sick!

MYAMS · 5th February 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by voicegenius

That 6th you're talkin bout would probably do the trick 90% of the time... Yeah, idk know why I said Danja... maybe because I was just listening to "Get Naked" even tho that has no bridge either... chords in there are sick!

they are, hit me up i will show u soem other tricks with bridgeslol

phillysoulman · 6th February 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by voicegenius

I like bridges, but are a pain in my left cheek to do... It's like coming up with a whole new song without losing the vibe of what you have... It's not that I can't do them, it's just tryin to think outside, again, the box you're already are thinking out of... IDK, maybe I'm thinking too hard...

Some R&B, and even some pop songs, have "naked" bridges... But, producers like the Underdogs, Max Martin, Danja are KINGS of great bridges... Do you feel the same or do you even care about bridges? I know some songs are just verse, chorus, verse, chorus and can be great if the beat is well executed along with the melody...

Creating a great bridge seperates the men from the boys..the pros from the amateurs......

phillysoulman · 6th February 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by beat you down

for hip hop?

no.

Why not??

phillysoulman · 6th February 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by voicegenius

That's why people like Dre and Tim are top notch producers... Most tracks you hear from them definitely have bridges... Dr. Dre with Eminem especially...

Thats one of the reasons they are hit producers...sort of.

beat you down · 6th February 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillysoulman

Why not??

from my point of view...

with (traditional) hip hop... less is more... you don't need all the dressing.

but... only if both the mc and beat are hot.

for instance.... to a ''real'' musician this must the most boring piece ever.... to hip hop dudes.... a classic... a hot loop, a hot mc and some extra nice cuts... that's it!

or...

dress these up with bridges, solos whatever... and end up with some corny !@$$%@##!

phillysoulman · 6th February 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by beat you down

from my point of view...

with (traditional) hip hop... less is more... you don't need all the dressing.

but... only if both the mc and beat are hot.

for instance.... to a ''real'' musician this must the most boring piece ever.... to hip hop dudes.... a classic... a hot loop, a hot mc and some extra nice cuts... that's it!

or...

dress these up with bridges, solos whatever... and end up with some corny !@$$%@##!

I agree,of course.
bridges would be totally out of place in this instance.

Reminds me of when I went to NYC to meet with Keith Sweats producer when KS was getting ready for his second album.
I played him some songs and he said.."why you cats from Philly always gotta put that CHANGE in there??

beat you down · 6th February 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillysoulman

I agree,of course.
bridges would be totally out of place in this instance.

Reminds me of when I went to NYC to meet with Keith Sweats producer when KS was getting ready for his second album.
I played him some songs and he said.."why you cats from Philly always gotta put that CHANGE in there??

KevWest · 6th February 2010

I like bridges but it depends on what I'm doing to use one. R&B always. Hip Hop with samples probably not. Hip Hop with keyboards and pop stuff more then likely.

phillysoulman · 7th February 2010

Heres an easy example of a bridge for a nice,mid tempo 95BPM r&b joint in the key of C...with each chord held for one bar each.

E minor 7flat 5/ E 7#9/A minor 9/A minor 7/Cmajor 7/Fmajor 7 /G sus4/G
Trick is, is that you've gotta figure out the chords for the verse and hook to make that bridge work.
Try it!!

5th February 2010	#1
voicegenius Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Earth Posts: 2,362 Thread Starter	Bridges: Yes/No? I like bridges, but are a pain in my left cheek to do... It's like coming up with a whole new song without losing the vibe of what you have... It's not that I can't do them, it's just tryin to think outside, again, the box you're already are thinking out of... IDK, maybe I'm thinking too hard... Some R&B, and even some pop songs, have "naked" bridges... But, producers like the Underdogs, Max Martin, Danja are KINGS of great bridges... Do you feel the same or do you even care about bridges? I know some songs are just verse, chorus, verse, chorus and can be great if the beat is well executed along with the melody... __________________ http://soundcloud.com/beatcircus/no-more-celebrity

5th February 2010	#3
Lrmusic Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2,989	Yes; I like good bridges (unless it's an uptempo dance tune or rap in which case it's not necessary). Hard to explain, but without them it feels like the story hasn't been completely told; just feels like there is something "missing"...and the song didn't cover all bases. But bridges are so 20th century, the craze of the 21st century is going to be interludes. __________________ Gear Behringer Truth B2030A—Behringer MS40A—Fairchild 670 Comp(ensation For Small Privates)ressor—Behringer DR400 (Reverb)—Behringer MX9000—Behringer RV600 (Reverb)—Behringer MS40A (Doorstop) Plugins IK Multimedia Philharmonik—MK29 Studio Client Behaviorizer Beta version—KA-AP Kick Drum Knockerizer version 2.006—Native Instruments Kontakt 2—Absynth 2—Native Instruments Komplete 3—KA-AP Make Hot Female Lead Want You-erizer 4—Clintlace Scary Debt Collector Excuse-Maker 8

5th February 2010	#7
jbrown1music Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: philadelphia Posts: 361	the more u try the better u get. a bridge doesnt have to be tht complex tho. just make tht part climax. __________________ www.twitter.com/loveandhiphop

5th February 2010	#8
Rukas Gear maniac Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia (Formally Europe and Los Angeles) Posts: 288	Ive been recording a rap/alternate rock/blues album and have a bridge of some sort on damn near every song, but I think it should definitely be lead instrument driven. First two singles: Take Vienna __________________ http://www.TakeViennaMusic.com TAKE VIENNA!

5th February 2010	#11
beat you down Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 4,026	if the beat and mc both are top notch... yes. if not... then you probably going to need more ''dressing'' __________________ I am.

5th February 2010	#6
CRACKPIPE Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: A Good Place Posts: 1,544	I always put a bridge in my rap beats. Deepens the musical journey for everyone from the listener to the rapper.

5th February 2010	#10
bebopxx Gear nut Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 107	Isn't the song form for hiphop/rap-> A A A A ? ( then just copy/paste )

5th February 2010	#13
piccazzo Lives for gear Join Date: May 2005 Location: Stockholm / Sweden Posts: 650	i think a bridge or a middle eight is a great way of adding energy to the hook. It often brings the hook forward and if you have a good hook it will stand out more. But i feel the same as you , i try to make the bridges distinct so the change the feel of the track for a brief moment , sometimes it works sometimes it don't , then i just go the easy way and bring in the drums and maybe a melody before going into the last Chorus. __________________ Bigntiny@gmail.com Tiny Music - Facebook http://soundcloud.com/bigntiny/tiny-music-showreel-2010-1

5th February 2010	#14
Nahuel Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 3,387	a nice way of building bridges without getting a headhache is to switch to the relative minor/major.

5th February 2010	#15
FredYeah Gear addict Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 478	Or switch chords around. I love bridges. Especially the bridges that breakdown to just the beat and graduatly all the instruments come back in again...

5th February 2010	#16
MotifStudios Gear addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: United Kingdowm Posts: 324	I love bridges.. My personal style is building up and up.. However I like dropping elements sometimes too, what you referred to as 'naked'. Sounds hot sometimes, not great other times... Maybe try other instruments, or messing with the current instrument you have in a different way, chop it up twist it around :D The great thing about dropping elements out is when you bring the chorus in and drop the elements back WITH more, it sounds awesome. __________________ Check Out The Motif on YouTube

6th February 2010	#29
KevWest Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,640	I like bridges but it depends on what I'm doing to use one. R&B always. Hip Hop with samples probably not. Hip Hop with keyboards and pop stuff more then likely. __________________

7th February 2010	#30
phillysoulman Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: The City Of Brotherly Love And Sisterly Affection Posts: 8,141	*Heres an easy example of a bridge for a nice,mid tempo 95BPM r&b joint in the key of C...with each chord held for one bar each.* *E minor 7flat 5/ E 7#9/A minor 9/A minor 7/Cmajor 7/Fmajor 7 /G sus4/G* *Trick is, is that you've gotta figure out the chords for the verse and hook to make that bridge work.* *Try it!!*

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Three Saddle Bridges for Telecaster Style Guitars	jacktadoussac	instruments, guitar, bass, amps	3	25th March 2008 12:39 PM
24bit Adat Bridges Analog outs for mastering?	Alécio Costa	Mastering forum	0	8th January 2007 02:49 PM