Completing the Shoegaze Verse Structure

Hey everyone! Welcome back to the channel. Last week, I worked on a shoegaze-inspired track, and I’ve had the song stuck in my head ever since. This session was all about taking the song further, particularly by fleshing out the verse section. I had a pretty clear vision for where I wanted it to go, so let's dive into how I built it up from scratch.

Follow along here!

The Beat and Bassline

To kick things off, I revisited the beat from the last session to get back into the flow. I immediately had an idea for where I wanted the bass guitar to take the lead. I decided to focus on driving the verse with bass rather than relying on the guitar right away. The plan was to cut the low end, leaving only the grit of the bass to give the section a raw, energetic feel.

The pattern I created on the bass goes like this: D-sharp, F, D-sharp, and C. I wanted the drums to follow the bass closely and keep a steady pulse that would drive the song forward.

Drum Groove and Rhythm Variation

Once I had the bass locked in, it was time to build out the drums. I kept it simple at first, letting the drums follow the bass groove. The aim was to add momentum and drive without being too complicated.

To keep things interesting, I added a variation where the drums go into a four-on-the-floor pattern. This change gave the verse a bit of a lift and added some excitement to the section. It all started to come together, and the verse felt like it was heading in the right direction.

Guitar Layering

With the bass and drums in place, I grabbed my guitar and started working out how to layer in the guitar parts. I tuned up, plugged in, and began experimenting with different ideas to complement the verse. The guitar needed to bring energy without overshadowing the bass-driven section.

After a bit of noodling and some adjustments, I found a riff that fit perfectly with the vibe of the verse. Layering guitar parts on both sides created a fuller, more dynamic sound. Each pass added a new layer of intensity to the track, and I was really digging the direction it was heading in.

Wrapping Up

After tightening everything up, the verse section felt complete. The blend of gritty bass, pulsing drums, and layered guitars gave it a raw, shoegaze-inspired energy. I’m super excited about how it's turning out, and if you’re enjoying this song as much as I am, let me know in the comments if you want me to keep working on it!

Need Help with Your Project?

If you're working on a project and need help with recording, mixing, or mastering, whether in-person or remotely, head over to Ghost Noise Studio. I’d love to help bring your ideas to life.

Thanks for tuning in, and I’ll see you next time!