Oh God a Bridge

[dealio432]

Hello to all. Actually missed the site. I feel I am making progress, on my songwriting. But, I need a formula for writing a bridge. I dang near get chills when it comes time for that part of the song.
Can anybody give me a kick in the right direction?:

[manny08]

it just needs to provide a contrast to the rest of the song. But without sounding like it was stuck in there, the bridge must grab the listeners attention but at the same time flow from the chorus and back in to the song. Try using a minor chord as a start if you have say a 1 IV V progression. Sometimes even a key change does the trick. Go with what your ears & your heart tells you.

[tylerxfury]

i must agree with the post above me
if your main song is in major, go minor
if its minor, go major, or for a different contrast try diminished or 7th chords
i like to make my rhythm scheme completely different from the rest of the song as well,
whether it be rhyming pattern or drums changing to half time feel
as long as the bridge fits a turning point or other necessity to the song and is in a complimentary key, you pretty much cant go wrong
best of luck in your writing =)

[Post Toastie]

think of the bridge as a detour....

to think about all that's been said before.

[scythe]

Its all good advice from these guys here. I havent made much of my own music at all yet. BUT I will suggest a band to listen too. If your into prog rock/metal. Try listen to Opeth. They have AMAZING song structure, ORGASMIC song structure. Some good bridges from memory are the Demon of the Fall song,, and Masters Apprentices, extrememly nice contrast, while still holding the 'spirit' of the song!

Viva tu Opeth (i dont speak spanish just having fun)
Douzo Yoroshiku, Bokuwa Ichiban HAI!

[EnSkorSang]

why not try no bridge? if it gives you a problem maybe it shouldnt be there...not all songs should follow the same structure...

[Post Toastie]

Originally Posted by EnSkorSang

why not try no bridge? if it gives you a problem maybe it shouldnt be there...not all songs should follow the same structure...

good point, EnSkorSang.

very good point indeed.

[crooked09]

Well "formula" is never good when it comes to songwriting. But for my bridges (I don't really think in terms of bridge though, just "what should come next?") the main thing is there should be a change in intensity, usually down but it can be up, just whatever the song calls for.

You also might take into consideration a solo, if you're planning on having one. If you're thinking of a lively/peak of song style solo, you might put it right before a slower bridge, and then try to imagine what would sound cool coming right after the solo ends. Or if the bridge is an increase in intensity, try putting the solo after it and imagine what would sound like a cool build up. If a mellow solo, maybe imagine a good progression or riff to go under it and then build that up as your bridge.

Stripping away to 1 or 2 instruments and then building up is usually a cool technique also.

Just some ideas to consider, that you might feel inspired by. But basically try thinking less of formula, just listen to your song and try to imagine what sounds like it should come next. Or if you've got an idea for a part later in song, try to imagine what would lead up to that.

[dream-thief]

Most of what I would say has been covered, but one useful thing I always make sure my bridges have in them is either a bar of silence/some pad sweep or so to lead into the chorus afterwards, or a V/VI/DomVII progression to lead into a I chord at the beginning of the chorus.

~ L

[DT Chris]

I find the bridges write themselves.

There is no formula,there are no rules.

If you're having a problem coming up with a bridge, maybe don't add one, or set the song aside and hum it to yourself as you go about your day. Sometimes the stuff that comes from your heart vs (your current playing skill that can be limiting) will give you the best result.