The Introduction

• The introduction of a trance song establishes the beat, usually with an electronic kick drum. This allows the DJ to blend the song with the one before it by playing the kick drum part as the last song is ending. The introduction seldom has a melody, relying instead on synthesizer chords and a bass line.
  
  

The Build

• After the introduction, a trance song builds in intensity by adding a synthesizer melody and percussion. The melody must be memorable, so that dancers will recognize the song immediately. As the build section develops, the rhythmic instruments, such as the kick drum and tom-toms, grow louder to increase the feeling of intensity. This section should get dancers out on the dance floor as they respond to the recognizable melody and the building rhythm.
  
  

The Breakdown

• The breakdown occurs approximately halfway through a trance song. The percussion and even the kick drum drop out, leaving only the melody playing. This section may use synthesizer chords played along with the melody. The breakdown builds tension, because the sudden drop in drums and percussion creates an expectation of a change that is about to come. Trance songwriters must balance the need for a drop in intensity with the need to keep the song moving during the breakdown.
  
  

The Release

• The release follows the breakdown with the most intense part of the song. The drums and percussion return, the melody and chords keep playing and the bass line becomes more prominent. Trance songwriters add new instruments into this section, and often include additional melodies. The DJ will expect the release section of a trance song to raise the energy level on the dance floor. The release following the breakdown gives trance music its name, because dancers claim they enter a trance-like state during this section.
  
  

The Outro

• After the release section, the outro returns to the feel of the introduction. This allows the DJ to blend it into the next song. The kick drum provides the beat in this section, along with some chords and a bass line. People who make trance music know the outro is important because they want to make their songs useful for DJs. If the outro makes it difficult to blend it the next song, the DJ may not play it. Dancers don’t expect much of this section, because they know the next song is coming. Trance songwriters use the outro to keep the beat going and to bring down the intensity so the next song can bring it back up.