Intros can be various lengths but are typically four measures long and mainly harmonic in nature, using chords only. Single notes and intervals can be added for melodic color.

• Derived from an existing section of the song.
• Separately composed and part of the song, (e.g., *Brown Eyed Girl*, *Margritaville*, *Sunshine of Your Life*, *Black Orpheus*)
• Rubato, lacking a defined tempo.
• A vamp or a repeated figure. (e.g., *Wave*, *Moondance*)

Turnarounds are similar to *intros* but half the number of measures, typically two measures in length. Sometimes called _turnbacks_, these musical passages _turn_ you back to a previous section of music just played.

Creating an Intro

To create an intro or a turnaround you need to know overall key of the song and the first chord of the song.

Determining a Song's Starting Key

All chords and chord progressions come from scales and are built from the notes of a scale. The most common scales used for creating chord progressions are the Major and Natural Minor scales.

A song will give some clues to help determine its starting or overall Key of a progression or song.