@aaronhuisinga2531
This is something I've always just automatically done since I started writing songs. Simple things can be done to give a chorus more energy. Double the vocal, add back up vocals, add extra percussion such as a shaker, tambourine, etc..... to sum it all up, listen to Nirvana.
@DeltaWhiskeyBravo13579
It all goes back to GIRATS.
@frontprochproduction
I was very fortunate to have been taught how to play dynamically on the drums in my first band. The importance of this can't be overstated. I'm not surprised that it was the prominent point in your video.
@MichaelKen-qe1gu
I do all my own harmonies in the studio and back up vocals on my stuff and sometimes I double vocals, but pull the second down very good stuff. Thank you.
@sgg6927
Dynamics and good vocal harmonies are the keys to a great song !
@magicmastera
Love your videos. Allways great. Thanx
@philz7227
Great stuff as usual from the premier of music tutorials. The dynamics issue is an important one, which is why some raw tracks with errors but more dynamics are more fun to listen to than a perfect take at a ho hum level. My other thought is that a punchy chorus is particular to certain styles of music. If we look at a musical piece as a series of movements like with classical music, each one can add to the rising and falling of excitement throughout the song depending on what the producer wants to achieve. (Chicago's Make Me Smile suite is a good example even if it's more than just one song) It's more fun sometimes to stand conformity on its head, which is why people play rock and roll.
@mcbryant2
Looking and sounding good Joe!
@KenGlasser
As always a video that gives me lots to think about. And I'm recording Folk / Americana so I'm not going to include 18 guitars in the chorus. :-) But I have to watch myself when I record so that there is a buildup in the chorus - I'm still learning that every instrument I use in the song doesn't have to be playing every second. It's hard but videos like this one help remind me to use instruments judiciously throughout the song. Thanks Joe for all you do to help folks like me.
@michaeltablet8577
Thank you again for your videos! Always helpful!
@DerekPower
In the meantime, I want 50,000 digeridoo players for my chorus ;) =] But yes, the arrangement is definitely key in making a chorus - in the case of instrumentals, certain sections - hit hard. In fact, I just went through this myself when working on my own material. I have a recurring melodic theme followed by an instrumental improvisation and then go back to the theme. Each time I go back to it, I add an additional instrument. And all of this builds to a climax that will transition into another section. But in my revising, it became clear what kind of instruments I needed to add and in which order to make an effective build. I have found that overall sonic density can be a good guide. So if you want your chorus to sound full and massive, the contrast will be to have the verses be perhaps lighter and sparser. Another way to think of it is to have the verses be lighter on the lows and then full-on for the chorus. Or the TL;DR / simplified take: contrast, contrast, contrast
@cagnonrocks
what would you say about songs like "message in a bottle" or even "where is my mind". the chorus is actually lower and less energy. that is what create magic in those songs too. there is no rule
@teashea1
good video - well done
@YourFavouriteColor
Sorry this is a frustrating stereotype about chorus structure and songwriting that "the highest notes must be in the chorus." This is one of infinite and equally viable ways to construct a chorus. The problem with this advice is it implies that it's exhaustive. this causes SWATHS of amateur songwriters to always just "fly up" to the high note, usually a high tonic, in the chorus. This solution, while effective in one way, is giving the songwriting student a fish rather than teaching them to fish.
Other examples of how to make a chorus interesting/effective.
-straight/syncopation: in "only fools rush in," the chorus is structured where each phrase is straight ("wise men say" "fools rush in" "I can't help") except the hookline,(fa-ling-in-love) which is syncopated. It does not contain the highest notes, but it's still the most interesting part/payoff because the syncopation was saved for the hookline
-high-low: this is the INVERSE of the "save the highest notes for the chorus." You can also do the opposite. In "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," the verses "it was 20 years ago today!" all static riding on high tonic. This creates a "strain." The strain is the setup, which then pays off and releases into "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts club band" which is a LOWER register and avoids the tonic, creating a payoff from the strain into a kind of "cruise."
-LOWEST for last: this is a variant on the "opposite" approach. In "God Only Knows," the chorus blooms, ever-higher. higher and higher, until "what good would LIVING DO ME?" which is the penultimate phrase before the refrain, "god only knows what I'd be without you," and "out" is the lowest note of the chorus.
So the use of high notes for emphasis is one of an infinite number of tools. Joe, you mention that it's not the only way to make a chorus pop, but this "save the high notes for the chorus" advice is everywhere now, and most modern songs lean very heavily on this to the point where it becomes a limiting factor in creative options for songwriters.
So to anyone reading this, there is so, so much more to it than "adding high notes in the chorus." If you find what I have to say interesting, get in touch! That includes you, Joe!
@HalcyonGuitars
Off topic, but are you still using the presonus board?
@eddy2fast260
Think of song creation as a rollercoaster. A good roller coaster has a break after a big spin to bring you down so it can take you up again. You would hate it If it kept you up constantly. Peeks, dips, flats, highs need to be timed perfectly within a 3 min song. I found it really hard at first. But im getting good at it now. 😏 Well i think i am. And thats what matters !!😠
@jerryam100
I do voice overs in addition to voice vocals, from my prospective your VO sound is better. anything different going on, different mic? EQ change? plug in???👊🎤
@cryptogames6829
Hello. I'm going to buy a studio Presonus r80. Are these monitors professional enough to reproduce sound accurately. Mainly mixing vocals, acoustic instruments, guitars and others.
@teashea1
Get to the chorus ............. differential it from the verses yeah
@DariusBrubeckmusician