Intros

Intros are short music pieces preluding the song.


Why do we need intros ?

• To usher the worship leader and congregation into the next song especially if there is a key change.
• To get the congregation's attention and focus on the next song
• To act as a bridge if a few songs are sung in succession
• To let the worship leader and congregation catch their breaths before singing another song.
• To allow focus on the  musicians playing

How long are the intros ?
It could be 2-bars , 4-bars and the usual 8-bars or even 16 or 32 bars.

Of course if the whole song is like 96 bars, a 32-bar intro would seem ridiculous !

What to play for intros?
We could play ..

1. just the first chord of the song e.g. G major
2. the suspended first chord of the song e.g. Gsus2 or Gadd9
3. the first or last 4 or 8 bars melody of a stanza/chorus
4. a modified version of the melody of the first 4 or 8 bars of stanza /chorus
5. a totally different melody but based on the same chord progression of the first 4 or 8 bars of stanza/ chorus
6. an intro which is neither melodically nor chordally related to the song.
7. no melody but just chord progression , drums and percussion
8. just drums and percussions
9. progressive intro - a new instrument comes in every 4  bars
   

Usually the first or second options are meant for the most musically-challenged worship leaders and congregation.

The third and fourth would be great for church worship leader and congregation.

The last two would also be fine if the musicians are not able to play the melody correctly.

The fifth and the sixth options are more for more 'professional' worship leaders.

The last option may require a long intro.

Which to choose as intros - stanza or chorus ?
Choose the melody that is most memorable or strongest or the catchiest. Some stanzas are catchier than their chorus and vice versa. Choose the catchiest that people are able to easily identify.