Sooo ... what do you call the section between the verse and the chorus?

[Mike Greene]

I've always called it the "B-section," mostly because that's what my first co-writer (who was way more experienced than I was) would say. I've heard other terms, though, so I sometimes wonder what's most common.

So ... what do you guys call it?

 

[Nekujak]

I've always called it the "pre-chorus".

For me, a "B-section" is often a part of a verse or chorus. This is typical of pop songs, where a verse or the chorus are effectively divided into two similar 8-bar sections, but the second 8-bars (the "B-section") introduces new elements and/or variations.

But that's just me...

 

[Tom Spell]

I've always called it the "pre-chorus".

For me, a "B-section" is often a part of a verse or chorus. This is typical of pop songs, where a verse or the chorus are effectively divided into two similar 8-bar sections, but the second 8-bars (the "B-section") introduces new elements and/or variations.

But that's just me...

Yep me too. That’s the part I normally would call pre-chorus.

I assume that it has a function to connect the verse and the chorus, i.e. by building tension. If not, I probably would call it something like verse 1 part 2.

 

[David Cuny]

I've always called it the "pre-chorus".
...
But that's just me...

Apparently, not just you.

 

[rrichard63]

If it occurs before every iteration of the chorus, I'd go with "pre-chorus". But if it happens only once -- especially between the last verse and last chorus -- I'd call it a "bridge".

 

[David Cuny]

If it occurs before every iteration of the chorus, I'd go with "pre-chorus". But if it happens only once -- especially between the last verse and last chorus -- I'd call it a "bridge".

Agreed. The pre-chorus is what it sounds like: it's a section that leads into the pre-chorus.

The bridge is new material that provides contrast to the existing song. Bridges are generally not repeated (I'm too lazy to look up any counter-examples, so I'm hedging with "generally").

A/B/C sections refer to the form of a verse or chorus, in terms of how it's melodically/harmonically structured.

 

[Louie]

I guess it depends on genre, and maybe also what region. In small group jazz and big bands I’ve played in, with singers or not, a bandleader would call out a section of the form during rehearsals (of if someone was lost on stage) according to the lead sheet or legit chart ("A, second A, B, or last A"). Sometimes, they would holler, “bridge” which in a jazz standard means letter B. Also, “vamp” which means to jam over a repeating section, usually a 4 bar sequence, maybe 2 chords (usually at the very end).

In rock, folk and bluegrass, I would hear, 1st verse, 2nd verse, chorus, last verse—very seldom bridge. I’ve never heard the term “pre-chorus” in a band setting but have seen it used in songwriting discussions and in more formal analysis of songs.

 

[DSmolken]

Pre-chorus, or less formally prehook (no dash, I think dashed-words seem like they're from decades ago in general).

 

[DSmolken]

Interestingly, the APA format

I did not know they had their own format.

 

[rrichard63]

Returning to our regularly scheduled topic:

if it happens only once -- especially between the last verse and last chorus -- I'd call it a "bridge".

It turns out that this is not the most common use of the term "bridge." It more accurately refers to a contrasting section in between two choruses, typically at the end of the song (I did get that part right).

 

[Nekujak]

And an older term for "bridge" was "middle 8", because in pop songs of the 50s, 60s, and 70s, the bridge was typically an 8-bar section.

And just to get a little more technical, a bridge doesn't necessarily always appear between choruses. In the AABA song structure, there is no chorus. The A sections are verses that typically end with a short hook, and the B section is the contrasting bridge. Early Beatles songs like "And I Love Her", "We Can Work It Out", "A Hard Day's Night", "If I Needed Someone", "All My Loving", "Yesterday", etc. are textbook examples of this.

And to tie this all back to the original topic, the AABA structure doesn't have a pre-chorus because, well... there is no chorus.

 

[Mike Greene]

It turns out that this is not the most common use of the term "bridge." It more accurately refers to a contrasting section in between two choruses, typically and the end of the song (I did get that part right).

That was always my understanding, too. ("Bridge" being a new section usually between the second chorus and the chorus out.)

Then again, I'm still gonna keep saying "B-Section" instead of Pre-Chorus, so what do I know.