Masterclass: Structuring Choruses That Music Supervisors Love
When it comes to sync licensing—getting your music placed in film, TV, ads, video games, and beyond—writing a great song isn't always enough. In fact, one of the most important (yet often overlooked) skills a songwriter or producer can develop is the ability to structure songs with sync in mind. Music supervisors are constantly searching for tracks that not only sound great, but that are easy to chop up, rearrange, and adapt to different scenes and emotions.
And where does their ear go first?
The chorus.
Why the Chorus is the Golden Zone
In the world of sync, the chorus is often where your song either wins the placement—or loses it. It’s the emotional core, the memorable moment, the peak energy zone. A great chorus that hits quickly, with a clear message and strong dynamics, makes a music supervisor’s job easier. They’re not just looking for “good music”—they’re looking for usable music. And that means:
Immediate impact
Clear melodic and lyrical identity
Room to loop, cut, and rework without losing cohesion
Most Placements Use 10–30 Seconds of Your Song
Here’s a reality check: the full three-minute version of your track might never see the light of day in a sync placement. In commercials, trailers, or even emotional montages, music supervisors may only use a 10-to-30-second chunk—often from the chorus.
If your chorus isn’t structured in a way that can stand on its own—without needing the verse to make sense of it—it’s less likely to land a placement. Music editors need sections they can isolate, loop, or drop in and out of a scene quickly.
5 Tips for Structuring Sync-Ready Choruses
1. Get to the chorus early
Don’t make them wait. A sync-friendly chorus should come in within the first 30–45 seconds. Earlier is even better. If your song opens with a strong hook or pre-chorus, that’s great—but don’t delay the main moment.
2. Create multiple versions of your chorus
Sometimes, a quieter or stripped-down chorus version (i.e., no drums, just vocals and keys/guitar) can be even more syncable than your big final chorus. Think in layers: give them options.
3. Write choruses that loop seamlessly
If your chorus feels like it could repeat endlessly without losing energy or sounding awkward, you’ve created something music editors will love. Avoid over-complexity—simplicity is king in loops.
4. Make lyrics versatile and emotion-driven
Universal themes like hope, power, love, freedom, overcoming, etc., tend to work best. Steer clear of super specific names or events. Music supervisors want choruses that can score a wide range of scenes.
5. Leave space
A sync-friendly chorus doesn’t always mean wall-to-wall sound. Strategic pauses and instrumental breaks within your chorus allow editors to align your track with dialogue, scene changes, or voiceovers.
Bonus: Think In Sections, Not Songs
When you’re writing and producing, think like a music editor. Could someone take just your chorus and build a story from it? Could your outro become the new intro? Could your bridge be a quiet, emotional moment on its own?
Creating music that is modular and flexible will dramatically increase your sync opportunities.
Final Thoughts: Serve the Scene
At Elizabeth Music Group, we constantly remind our writers and producers: sync is about serving the scene, not the song. If your chorus sounds amazing but can’t be chopped, looped, or layered—it might miss the mark.
Craft each chorus with purpose. Think of it not just as the centerpiece of your song—but as a standalone moment that can carry a visual story.
Because sometimes, 30 seconds is all you’ve got.
