Music Term
What is a segue?
Definition
A segue is a smooth, uninterrupted transition from one piece of music to another -- or from one section of a piece to the next -- without a pause.
Segue in music -- explained
From the Italian seguire (to follow), a segue is the technique of connecting musical material without a break. In classical music, movements are sometimes marked attacca (attack immediately), meaning they should connect without pause -- a form of segue. In concept albums and album-oriented rock, segues between tracks create the effect of a continuous musical journey: side two of Abbey Road famously segues its songs into a medley. DJs rely on segues as the fundamental skill of their craft -- beatmatching and harmonic mixing allow one track to transition into another without the dancefloor losing momentum. Radio presenters use shorter segues (instrumental fades or brief announcements) between songs. In film scoring, the segue allows music to transition between scenes without the audience noticing the shift. A smooth segue is the mark of skilled arrangement, composition, or performance -- it makes the transition feel inevitable rather than arbitrary.
Notable examples of a segue
Abbey Road (Side 2 medley) -- The Beatles
You Never Give Me Your Money segues through Carry That Weight, Golden Slumbers, and The End without pause.
Dark Side of the Moon -- Pink Floyd
The album is constructed almost entirely of segues -- tracks blend into each other forming one continuous 43-minute experience.
Bohemian Rhapsody -- Queen
The transitions between the ballad, operatic, and hard rock sections within a single song are technically segues between styles.
Related music terms
Frequently asked questions
- What is a segue in music?
- A segue is a smooth, uninterrupted transition from one piece of music to another -- or from one section of a piece to the next -- without a pause.
- What is an example of a segue?
- A well-known example is Abbey Road (Side 2 medley) by The Beatles: You Never Give Me Your Money segues through Carry That Weight, Golden Slumbers, and The End without pause.
- How is a segue used in music?
- From the Italian seguire (to follow), a segue is the technique of connecting musical material without a break. In classical music, movements are sometimes marked attacca (attack immediately), meaning they should connect without pause -- a form of segue.
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