6 min read
Lesson 1 · Anatomy of a track
Phases, phrases and the 8-bar grid: what an electronic track is made of.
A loop is an idea. A track is a journey: it starts somewhere, takes you along, builds tension, releases it and lets you go again. For that journey to work, a track is divided into phases — intro, groove, build-up, DropThe peak after the build-up, when bass and kick come in fully.More in the handbook →, BreakdownCalm section without kick: room for melody and atmosphere before the next build.More in the handbook →, outro.
The 8-bar grid
Electronic music thinks in groups of 8 BarFour beats in 4/4 time. Electronic music thinks in groups of 4, 8, 16 and 32 bars.. A PhraseA musical section, usually 8 or 16 bars. DJs mix in phrases — which is why sections start on multiples of 8.More in the handbook → lasts 8 or 16 bars, a phase usually 16 or 32. New phases start on bars 1, 9, 17, 25, 33 … The ear expects a change there — and DJs mix in exactly this grid.
| Parameter | Range | What for |
|---|---|---|
| Intro | 16–32 bars | Rhythm establishes itself; DJ-friendly without melody |
| Groove | 16–32 bars | Bass and chords join, the track shows its character |
| Build-up | 8–16 bars | Build-upThe build towards the drop: rising tension with risers, snare rolls and filters.More in the handbook → rises: riser, snare roll, filter |
| Drop | 16–32 bars | Peak: everything plays, maximum energy |
| Breakdown | 16–32 bars | Without kick: room for melody and emotion |
| Outro | 16–32 bars | Wind-down, rhythmic, for mixing out |
Try it yourself · AN-07
In miniature: structure by genre, sections to explore.
Quick check
On which bar does the fourth 8-bar phrase usually start?
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