Planning a quiet opening
A quiet opening works best when the band agrees on what changes at the first lyric.
Before rehearsing an intro, ask whether the drums should start with the band, enter under the first lyric, or wait for another section. Write the entrance on your chart. A quiet song can begin with a full groove, and a louder song can begin without drums; the arrangement decides.
Try this rehearsal example if the song has a steady 4/4 backbeat: play closed hi-hat eighth notes through the intro, then add kick on 1 and 3 at the agreed entrance. Bring in snare on 2 and 4 when the band wants the next change. Count through each transition without speeding up.
Listen to the singer’s entrance on a recording of the rehearsal. If the hi-hat draws more attention than the words, reduce its volume or try waiting until the vocal has begun. Keep the version that makes the entrance clear.