Tag: checklist

Tip #139 – Checklist for a Well-Crafted Turnaround

What is a turnaround?

A turnaround is typically a part of the song that occurs in specific places in the composition (depending on the form) and uses a specific kind of progression, independent of what was already in the song, to lead into the first chord of a new section.

That being said, we can think of making one like using a checklist. Some aspects you might want to include to make a strong turnaround is having it:

  • Located where the melody is sustained or not existent
  • Use substituted progressions
  • Be independent of the “melody” (if there is one)
  • Possibly restate thematic material

With these aspects in mind, you can look over a turnaround section that you made and self-evaluate if it did the job or not. But that being said, no rules in music should be followed if you don’t want to. This is all here for you to try out with.

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Tip #126 – Checklist for a Well-Crafted Introduction

When composing an original composition or adapting a pre-performed piece of music as a new arrangement, the writer must consider how to deal with “free areas,” otherwise known as: the into, the ending, and the turnarounds.

When writing an introduction, there are certain aspects – think of it as a checklist – of things that the introduction should accomplish in order to make it an affective beginning statement for your work.

Some of these aspects would be having the introduction…

  • Be interesting and captivating to the audience
  • Harmonically lead into the first chord of the main structure
  • Function harmonically and stylistically as the main body of work
  • Preview some segment of the composition for thematic continuation

Of course, these are suggestions. None of these have to be followed, but they do pose critical features for making a strong introduction. Regardless, a composition must be deliberate with everything you write – even if conventional rules are not followed.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read! Feel free to comment, share, and subscribe for more daily tips below! Till next time.