Music Term
What is an intro?
Definition
An intro is the opening section of a song that precedes the first verse or main body -- establishing the musical character, key, tempo, and mood before the primary material begins.
Intro in music -- explained
The intro's job is to orient the listener: to establish the tempo, key, tone, and emotional register before the song's main content begins. It can be as short as a single bar (a drum count-in, a piano chord) or as long as several minutes (the extended instrumental intro of Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven). Great intros accomplish multiple goals simultaneously: they hook the listener's attention, establish the sonic world of the song, and create anticipation for the arrival of the vocal or main theme. In radio-era pop, intros were typically under 15 seconds to retain listener attention before the hook arrived. In streaming-era pop, intros have become even shorter -- data shows that listeners skip tracks that don't deliver a hook within the first 30 seconds. In electronic music, the intro mirrors the outro: it builds up elements progressively, giving the DJ time to mix in smoothly from the previous track. The 'false intro' is a device where the listener expects the full song to begin but is instead given an extended atmospheric or stripped-back section that builds anticipation.
Notable examples of an intro
Stairway to Heaven -- Led Zeppelin
The two-minute acoustic guitar and flute intro is one of the longest and most famous introductions in rock history.
Jump -- Van Halen
The synthesizer fanfare intro is so iconic that the song is instantly recognisable from its first two bars.
Like a Rolling Stone -- Bob Dylan
The tambourine and organ intro creates a dusty, confrontational atmosphere before the accusatory opening verse lands.
Related music terms
Frequently asked questions
- What is an intro in music?
- An intro is the opening section of a song that precedes the first verse or main body -- establishing the musical character, key, tempo, and mood before the primary material begins.
- What is an example of an intro?
- A well-known example is Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin: The two-minute acoustic guitar and flute intro is one of the longest and most famous introductions in rock history.
- How is an intro used in music?
- The intro's job is to orient the listener: to establish the tempo, key, tone, and emotional register before the song's main content begins. It can be as short as a single bar (a drum count-in, a piano chord) or as long as several minutes (the extended instrumental intro of Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven).
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