Is there a name or special term used for the distinct, gradual buildup in a song that leads to a chorus? For example, in this section of this music video (at around 2:15), the song takes on a distinct tone (compared to the verses) in what I would consider a gradual buildup to the chorus (which starts at 2:29). Is there a name or musical term for this?
Crescendo?
Would that be a bridge?
Often called a “pre-chorus”, “pre-hook”, “b-section”, “lift”, etc. I don’t think there is a standard terminology for it.
Robert “Mutt” Lange writes a lot of his songs (for Def Leppard, Cars, Corrs, Shania Twain, etc) with a pre-chorus. (Btw, I’m not saying RML wrote the song in the video you cited.)
Some songwriters almost never write a pre-chorus section (e.g. Sting, Stevie Wonder)
You may be thinking of a bridge. – Here’s a bit from Wikipedia:
A “bridge” in it’s primary (and more common) definition is a one-time musical tangent about 2/3rds into the song.
The bars of music that OP is talking about is repeated right before each chorus. I do see that wikipedia mentions bridge as a “prechorus” as a secondary definition. However, I’ve never heard “bridge” used in that manner. If a music producer tells me the song needs a “bridge”, he’s always talking about the one-time 8-bar musical tangent.
I concur. I know it as a “pre-chorus.” It occurs at 0:53 and 2:15 in the linked song. The “bridge” occurs at 2:57.
Not a bridge, which is typically a “relief”, “break” or “change of pace” before things get going again.
I never heard a specific term for what you are asking, but I’d just say it’s the “build-up” to the climax or chorus. It’s generally a good songwriting technique, IMHO.
A crescendo is an increase in sound level,* although I guess you could apply it to an increase in “intensity”, and an increase in intensity is often accompanied by an increase in sound volume. Things are building up to the chorus or hook.
- I hesitate using “increase in loudness,” since loudness brings to mind Fletcher-Munson curves, (another link), which is too technical for this thread.
Other names include “channel” and “climb” according to the description under the “pre-chorus” heading here.
Interesting coincidence they also mention Robert “Mutt” Lange as an example. Small world! I’ve studied RML songs forward & backward and to me, he is the king and textbook example of pre-chorus technique. It’s also interesting to note that RML almost never writes a “bridge” in his songs – lots and lots of pre-choruses but no bridges.
Diane Warren writes both pre-choruses and bridges in the same song.
Michael Jackson writes both pre-choruse and bridges but not usually both structures in the same song.
For pop/rock/country yes but not doesn’t seem to be common for jazz or thrash metal.
So many “correct” ways to write a song. They all work and sound great.