Choruses, Intros, and Beat CDs

By Sa'id

To beatmakers aspiring to land a "placement," a beat CD (formerly known as a beat tape) is a must. It is a music portfolio in which, at any given time, one's production composite (ability) can be observed. But what are the ingredients to an effective beat CD? Well, the elements, or rather, the beats that make up an effective beat CD vary, but right now I just want to discuss the use of choruses and intros on beats and how they effect a beat CD.

There's really two ways to work the chorus (hook) section into a beat. You either insert it at the beginning of the beat (the first 4 to 8 bars), or you can place it after the ending of each verse section (usually between 8 to 16 bars). As far as the placement of the chorus (hook), well, the chorus (hook) is a major part of the "point" of a beat (song). The "point" refers to the central theme, idea, concept, and structure of a beat (song). The chorus (hook) is just as important to the song as the verse, if not more. And thus, a chorus (hook) is often an element worth adding to the beats that you choose to put on your beat CD.

Unlike a chorus, an intro is not part of the "point." Instead, it's something that is designed to open up or rather introduce the song (the main "point"). Intros can be nice "add-ons" for songs; more specifically, they can be nice add-ons for songs that have already made their way onto a commercial release. But intros on beat CDs? hmmm...That's debatable.

The beats that you put on your beat CD should "get to the point" as quickly as they can! If you're fortunate enough to land your beat CD into the hands of anyone who can actually help get your music placed, you want to make sure that your beat CD is loaded with beats that get straight to the point. Most recording artists, A&Rs, and other music industry insiders are hit with a massive amount of beat submissions, therefore, they simply do not have the time and/or the patience to sift through long-winded beat CDs. So when they do actually take the time to check a beat CD, they need to hear (feel) the impact of beats on that CD, right away--from the moment they press play.

Indeed, from that moment when an A&R or rapper first hits play, there is a count down to skipping ahead to the next song, if not trashing the beat CD altogether. Of course, the more notoriety and recognition a beatmaker has, the longer this count down will last. Likewise, the less recognition that a beatmaker has, well, then the shorter this countdown will be. Hence, intros on the beats of your beat CD can have adverse effects. For example, intros can have the unwanted effect of slowing down your beat CD; and the last thing you want is for someone to get the impression that your beat CD is long and dragged out. That's the sort of impression that will discourage people from going deeper into your beat CD. And if a recording artist, A&R, or other music industry insider doesn't go deeper into your beat CD, chances are, they won't be interested in tapping one of your beats for a placement. Hence, when it comes to choruses and intros on the beats that you put on your beat CD, the bottom line is this: choruses are great (where applicable), but intros can often hurt more than help. Again, intros are best for when the song is complete. In such a case, an intro works really well because it establishes anticipation for the song that's about to follow. An intro on a beat, without rhyme lyrics, can have a similar effect, but more often than not, it doesn't.