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In dance music, the breakdown and buildup are the parts of a song that come just before the drop. The main purpose of these two sections is to build tension, and prepare listeners for the drop. An effective breakdown and buildup creates a high level of anticipation and makes listeners aware that something exciting (the drop) is about to happen.
In the breakdown, elements of the track are stripped away to provide a sparser musical landscape, and during the buildup, tension is added through the use of risers, snare rolls, and long crashes.
Before beginning to structure your buildup and breakdown, it’s a good idea to have a solid idea for your drop written. Listen to references in the same style to hear how
