{"id":4147,"date":"2024-03-20T20:43:12","date_gmt":"2024-03-20T19:43:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/?p=4147"},"modified":"2024-08-19T21:07:46","modified_gmt":"2024-08-19T19:07:46","slug":"song-structure-arrangement-for-dj","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/articles\/song-structure-arrangement-for-dj","title":{"rendered":"Song structure for DJs &#8211; with examples &#038; schematics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Hit song structure arrangement Dance Music Part 1 \/\/ EDM Electro House\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/L5j67gjMfZg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When you start DJing, it is very useful to know the structure of a EDM song, also called song arrangement.<br>Every song consists of building blocks that vary to make the song more interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you know the structure of a song, you can anticipate on that by using key moments of a song as mix-out or mix-in point<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"building-blocks\">Building blocks<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Here are the building blocks for an EDM track.<br>EDM music producers often use different names than songwriters (plebs), that&#8217;s because we EDM producers think we are better \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>EDM name<\/th><th>Also known as<\/th><th>Energy level<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Drop<\/strong><\/td><td>Chorus<\/td><td>++<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Break<\/strong><\/td><td>Verse<\/td><td>&#8212;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Buildup<\/strong><\/td><td>Pre-chorus<\/td><td>&#8212; \u2192 ++<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Bridge<\/strong><\/td><td>Bridge<\/td><td>+-<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Intro<\/strong><\/td><td>Intro<\/td><td>+-<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Outro<\/strong><\/td><td>Outro<\/td><td>+-<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"drop\">Drop<\/h3>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"440\" height=\"389\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-drop.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4192\" style=\"width:105px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-drop.webp 440w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-drop-300x265.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-drop-150x133.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 440px) 100vw, 440px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the recurring theme of the song, the most recognizable part, the part that repeats.<br>A song can have 2, 3 or 4 drops.<br>This is the melody that people know when they hum the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The drop is also the loudest part of the song and it needs the be the most fun and appealing part of<br>the song.<br>The break is quieter and has fewer elements (most of the time).<br>The drop is the most bass heavy, as where the break is mostly less bass heavy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some genres of electronic music don\u2019t have a clear distinction between break and drop, like in a<br>lot of techno and tech house songs.<br>They do have recurring themes, so you could consider those a drop.<br>Most of the time they change up quieter and louder parts , you could consider those a break<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"break\">Break<\/h3>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"441\" height=\"204\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-break.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4193\" style=\"width:111px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-break.webp 441w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-break-300x139.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-break-150x69.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 441px) 100vw, 441px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The break (verse) is the quiet part of the song (tempo often stays the same).<br>The melody is different than the drop.<br>In pop, the melody is often the same, but the lyrics are different.<br>In EDM, the melody is often different for each break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The break is often announced by a very distinctive bass drop.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"buildup\">Buildup<\/h3>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"438\" height=\"389\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-buildup.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4194\" style=\"width:109px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-buildup.webp 438w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-buildup-300x266.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-buildup-150x133.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 438px) 100vw, 438px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The buildup is often called the pre-chorus: it prepares and gets you excited for the drop.<br>You know it&#8217;s coming &#8230; just a little bit &#8230; just wait &#8230; it&#8217;s coming &#8230; yes &#8230;. here we are &#8230;. BOOM, here&#8217;s the drop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some see the buildup part of the break.<br>Whatever floats your boat, it gives the listener a clear indication of what is coming up.<br>It builds an expectation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There can also be a gap of a full bar between the buildup and the drop, just to make the impact<br>of the drop even bigger (the power of silence).<br>A typical buildup has the following elements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>repeating a melody or repeating a part of the melody<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the snare sounds that become more frequent over the course of the buildup<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A riser (white noise, melodic or both)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>low cut filter<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bridge\">Bridge<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>The bridge is uncommon in EDM tracks, but they do exist.<br>A bridge has a different melody than the break and drop to change things up, and make the song less boring.<br>The bridge appears only once in a song, mostly between 2 drops at the end.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"intro\">Intro<\/h3>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"442\" height=\"204\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-intro.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4195\" style=\"width:111px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-intro.webp 442w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-intro-300x138.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-intro-150x69.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 442px) 100vw, 442px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The intro is the beginning of the song.<br>It often introduces new musical elements with each block of bars (like a thicker beat, an extra high hat etc).<br>The intro is a common mix-in point for DJs.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"outro\">Outro<\/h3>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"441\" height=\"202\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-outro.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4196\" style=\"width:116px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-outro.webp 441w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-outro-300x137.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-outro-150x69.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 441px) 100vw, 441px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The outro is the end of a song.<br>It takes away elements of a song with each block of bars.<br>The outro is a common mix-out point for DJs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem\">Free DJ tips in your inbox?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a bonus gift I will send you a <strong>FREE <\/strong>E-book on how to kick-off your DJ career!<\/p>\n\n\n<!-- MailerLite Universal -->\n<script>\n(function(m,a,i,l,e,r){ m['MailerLiteObject']=e;function f(){\nvar c={ a:arguments,q:[]};var r=this.push(c);return \"number\"!=typeof r?r:f.bind(c.q);}\nf.q=f.q||[];m[e]=m[e]||f.bind(f.q);m[e].q=m[e].q||f.q;r=a.createElement(i);\nvar _=a.getElementsByTagName(i)[0];r.async=1;r.src=l+'?v'+(~~(new Date().getTime()\/1000000));\n_.parentNode.insertBefore(r,_);})(window, document, 'script', 'https:\/\/static.mailerlite.com\/js\/universal.js', 'ml');\n\nvar ml_account = ml('accounts', '1691580', 't0j5q7h5d7', 'load');\n<\/script>\n<!-- End MailerLite Universal -->\n\n<div class=\"ml-form-embed\"\n  data-account=\"1691580:t0j5q7h5d7\"\n  data-form=\"6052713:y7m2e8\">\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-order-and-length-of-song-elements\">The order and length of song elements<\/h2>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"93\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-elements-960x93.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4157\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-elements-960x93.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-elements-300x29.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-elements-150x14.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-elements-768x74.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-elements-1536x148.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-schematic-elements-2048x198.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Since 2005 EDM tracks started to have a standard structure, so it is really easy for DJs to understand the structure, so they can easily mix it with a track of a similar structure.<br>Since then we have a fixed length of block.<br>The smallest form of a block is 4 bars (often 8).<br>The rest is a multiplication of 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is the most commonly used song structure with their length in bars:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Block<\/th><th>Bar length<\/th><th>Length 128 BPM<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Intro<\/td><td>16 or 32 bars<\/td><td>30 or 60 sec.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1st break<\/td><td>16 or 32 bars<\/td><td>30 or 60 sec.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1st buildup<\/td><td>8 bars<\/td><td>15 sec.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1st drop<\/td><td>16 or 32 bars<\/td><td>30 or 60 sec.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2nd break<\/td><td>16 or 32 bars<\/td><td>30 or 60 sec.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2nd buildup<\/td><td>8 bars<\/td><td>15 sec.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2rd drop<\/td><td>16, 32 or 48 bars<\/td><td>30, 60 or 90 sec.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>outro<\/td><td>16 or 32 bars<\/td><td>30 or 60 sec.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Notes:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Notice that there is no <strong>Bridge <\/strong>in this example.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There can be a 3rd break-buildup-drop pair<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This is by no means a definitive structure, the order and length can vary (but the 8-bar rule still applies).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There are also structural differences between genres: Electro House has a different structure than Techno for example.<br>Techno often lacks buildups for example.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tracks that are written for Spotify, often have no break and start immediately with a drop, because the youth has a very short attention span.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>128 BPM the block-sizes are <strong>exactly <\/strong>30 seconds (4 beats in a bar x 32 bars = 128 BPM = 60 secs)!<br>If your song is 126 BPM for example, it is slightly more than 30 seconds<br>If your song is 130 BPM for example, it is slightly less than 30 seconds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"radio-edits-and-club-mixes\">Radio edits and club mixes<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>There are generally 2 types of tracks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Extended mix \/ club mix \/ original mix &#8211; has intro and outro<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Radio edit &#8211; has <strong>NO <\/strong>intro and outro<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>As a DJ having an intro and outro makes you like a lot easier to make smooth transitions.<br>You want to have tracks with intros and outros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most commercial tracks you stream or down from commercial stores (Spotify or Apple music) are often radio edits.<br>When you download or stream from DJ pools\/webshops: they often offer extended mixes for DJs.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"look-at-the-waveform\">Look at the waveform<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Luckily for us DJs, DJ equipment and software shows us the waveform of a song.<br>Just by looking at it, you can distinguish the different block elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a tech house song without build-ups (click to enlarge):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69dfc4bf43e11&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69dfc4bf43e11\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"36\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-likethis-960x36.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4164\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-likethis-960x36.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-likethis-300x11.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-likethis-150x6.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-likethis-768x29.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-likethis-1536x57.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-likethis-2048x76.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem\">Free DJ tips in your inbox?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a bonus gift I will send you a <strong>FREE <\/strong>E-book on how to kick-off your DJ career!<\/p>\n\n\n<!-- MailerLite Universal -->\n<script>\n(function(m,a,i,l,e,r){ m['MailerLiteObject']=e;function f(){\nvar c={ a:arguments,q:[]};var r=this.push(c);return \"number\"!=typeof r?r:f.bind(c.q);}\nf.q=f.q||[];m[e]=m[e]||f.bind(f.q);m[e].q=m[e].q||f.q;r=a.createElement(i);\nvar _=a.getElementsByTagName(i)[0];r.async=1;r.src=l+'?v'+(~~(new Date().getTime()\/1000000));\n_.parentNode.insertBefore(r,_);})(window, document, 'script', 'https:\/\/static.mailerlite.com\/js\/universal.js', 'ml');\n\nvar ml_account = ml('accounts', '1691580', 't0j5q7h5d7', 'load');\n<\/script>\n<!-- End MailerLite Universal -->\n\n<div class=\"ml-form-embed\"\n  data-account=\"1691580:t0j5q7h5d7\"\n  data-form=\"6052713:y7m2e8\">\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"song-structure-examples\">Song structure examples<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Let&#8217;s take a look at some examples and do an autopsy on each track.<br>I use some classics, because everybody knows them (I hope).<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"martin-garrix-animals\">Martin Garrix &#8211; Animals<\/h3>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Martin Garrix - Animals (Official Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gCYcHz2k5x0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Block<\/th><th>Bar length<\/th><th>Length 128 BPM<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Intro<\/td><td>32 bars<\/td><td>60 sec.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1st break<\/td><td>20 bars <\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1st buildup<\/td><td>8 bars<\/td><td>15 sec.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1st drop<\/td><td>16 bars<\/td><td>30 sec.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2nd break<\/td><td>20 bars<\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2nd buildup<\/td><td>8 bars<\/td><td>15 sec.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2rd drop<\/td><td>24 bars<\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>outro<\/td><td>32 bars<\/td><td>60 sec.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69dfc4bf44525&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69dfc4bf44525\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"36\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-animals-960x36.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4178\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-animals-960x36.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-animals-300x11.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-animals-150x6.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-animals-768x29.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-animals-1536x57.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-animals-2048x76.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Genre:<\/strong> electro house\/ big room, 128 BPM<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Electro house always has a clear distinction between the different elements.<br>You can see and hear where elements begin and end.<br>There is a clear intro, a very distinctive low energy break, and a super high energy drop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The song is 128, so it abides beautifully to our 30 second-rule (albeit sometimes double, sometimes half).<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"alex-niggemann-materium\">Alex Niggemann &#8211; Materium<\/h2>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Alex Niggemann - Materium (Original Mix)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XpboELpY7Ho?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Block<\/th><th>Bar length<\/th><th>Length <\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Intro<\/td><td>88 bars<\/td><td>&#8211;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1st break<\/td><td>36 bars <\/td><td>&#8211;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1st buildup<\/td><td>[buildup??]<\/td><td>&#8211;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1st drop<\/td><td>32 bars<\/td><td>&#8211;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2nd break<\/td><td>32 bars<\/td><td>&#8211;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2nd buildup<\/td><td>[none]<\/td><td>&#8211;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2rd drop<\/td><td>16 bars<\/td><td>&#8211;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>outro<\/td><td>40 bars<\/td><td>&#8211;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69dfc4bf44d1e&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69dfc4bf44d1e\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"35\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-materium-960x35.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-materium-960x35.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-materium-300x11.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-materium-150x6.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-materium-768x28.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-materium-1536x57.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-materium-2048x76.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Genre<\/strong>: tech house, 120 BPM<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This has one of those unconventional structures, this is the reason why I included it here, so I can show you some of the exceptions.<br>Where some elements begin and others end, is maybe up for debate.<br>If you don&#8217;t agree with my analysis I would completely understand why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This song has a huge-ass long intro, to the point that it almost isn&#8217;t funny anymore.<br>I counted it as an intro (and not a drop), because there were not a lot of melodic elements in the intro.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A clear break with absolute silence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A whiny buildup that you could maybe count as buildup (I didn&#8217;t here).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A drop<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A break that ends with a beat (very strange)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A pretty short drop<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And again a huge-ass outro of a weird 40 bars.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The song is incredibly boring when you listen to it at home.<br>On the dancefloor at 100dB however, is another story!<br>You can dream away and forget about the world.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"calvin-harris-amp-alesso-under-control\">Calvin Harris &amp; Alesso &#8211; Under control<\/h3>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Calvin Harris &amp; Alesso - Under Control ft. Hurts (Audio)\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kcAnTutmtF8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Block<\/th><th>Bar length<\/th><th>Length 126 BPM<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Intro<\/td><td>24 bars<\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1st break<\/td><td>4 bars<\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1st buildup<\/td><td>4 bars <\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1st drop<\/td><td>8 bars<\/td><td><strong>\u00b1<\/strong> 15 sec.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2nd break<\/td><td>28 bars <\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2nd buildup<\/td><td>8 bars<\/td><td><strong>\u00b1<\/strong> 15 sec.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2rd drop<\/td><td>16 bars<\/td><td><strong>\u00b1<\/strong> 30 sec<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>outro<\/td><td>[none]<\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69dfc4bf452a6&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69dfc4bf452a6\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"42\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-undercontrol-960x42.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4173\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-undercontrol-960x42.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-undercontrol-300x13.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-undercontrol-150x7.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-undercontrol-768x33.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-undercontrol-1536x67.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/song-structure-waveform-undercontrol-2048x89.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Genre: Electro house\/pop, 126 BPM<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here an extremely sucky track to mix in and out (click to enlarge).<br>In the entire intro is a vocal, a drop at the end with vocal, and there is no outro (sorry, the included  YouTube version has an outro, but not my version).<br>The version I have is a radio edit (not a club mix\/extended mix).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The intro is pretty long<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 1st break is super short with 4 bars<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 1st buildup is also short with 4 bars<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 1st drop is also pretty short with 8 bars<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 2nd break is super long<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 2nd buildup is twice as long as the first one<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 2nd drop is 16 bars<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The YouTube video has an outro, my radio edit doesn&#8217;t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you start DJing, it is very useful to know the structure of a EDM song, also called song arrangement.Every song consists of building blocks that vary to make the song more interesting. When you know the structure of a song, you can anticipate on that by using key moments of a song as mix-out &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4186,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[59],"tags":[76,38,74,75],"class_list":["post-4147","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dj-skills-and-techniques","tag-arrangement","tag-dj","tag-skills","tag-song-structure"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/thumbnail-v1-song-structure.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4147","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4147"}],"version-history":[{"count":33,"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4147\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5768,"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4147\/revisions\/5768"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4186"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4147"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4147"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4147"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}