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Hooks!

Hey guys,

OK, my query is about "hooks." Can anyone actually define this term or describe it to me, because I'm having a bit of trouble actually grasping it.

Now what I've gathered is that it's something that catches the attention of the crowd, like even snippets of vocals, eg. from Alphazone - Rockin' or your melody, and isn't that what you're trying to make - a decent melody?

But then by that definition anything could be a "hook..." a bassline, a percussion sequence... fill me in guys.

Thanks.

Indeed a hook can be anything. The hook is considered to be the part you'll most likely recognise instantly. Off course this is the melody msot of the times.

think of a track

whats the first musical part of that track you think of...the bit you would hum or sing or whatever to yourself.

Thats the hook- it 'hooks' your attention.

the term "hook" is and was mostly used for Pop, country, comercialized type stuff.

You could define hook as in a "Lead" but that goes without saying a hook can also be something else.

the hook is something that makes the track outstanding.

quote:

Originally posted by Storyteller The hook is considered to be the part you'll most likely recognise instantly.

I use this term all the time, and that's the perfect answer right there. Hook is not actually a musical term, it could also refer to something like a scene or a single quote from a movie.

Essentially it's something that's easily identifiable and associated with its context. That's why I say, for example, that a track needs hooks in order to be "remixable" - because a good remix should sound nothing like the original, but will incorporate the hooks, so despite sounding different, everyone will know it's a remix of that particular track.

Vocals are the best, particularly catchy melodies can be hooks too. Very distinctive synth sounds could also be hooks. Generic chord progressions or basslines are NOT hooks, and a hook generally has to be short (no more than a few seconds, maybe 10 or 15 at the most).

I don't think a hook needs to be easily identifiable or recognizable. Hook is just a part of a track that makes you like it, and want to listen to it again. And it can indeed be anything.

quote:

Originally posted by Chronosis I don't think a hook needs to be easily identifiable or recognizable. Hook is just a part of a track that makes you like it, and want to listen to it again. And it can indeed be anything.

I disagree. A hook will be catchy, by nature.

quote:

Originally posted by wayfinder I disagree. A hook will be catchy, by nature.

?

If you like a certain part of a track and want to listen to it again, then isn't it catchy to you?

quote:

Originally posted by Chronosis I don't think a hook needs to be easily identifiable or recognizable. Hook is just a part of a track that makes you like it, and want to listen to it again. And it can indeed be anything.

From dictionary.com:

quote:

# Slang. 1. A means of attracting interest or attention; an enticement: a sales hook. 2. Music. A catchy motif or refrain: �sugary hard rock melodies [and] ear candy hooks� (Boston Globe).

We're talking about a definition here - a hook means something that is catchy and identifiable. It's not just something you "like".

quote:

Originally posted by Chronosis ? If you like a certain part of a track and want to listen to it again, then isn't it catchy to you?

Learn to read

I think a 'hook' is a musical phrase that builds tension, then resolves it.

"Tension" can be created with lead hitting certain notes or perc stressing an off beat. "Resolution" is then when the tonic note (C if in the key of C) or the perc stressing the on beat (the one count).

It is kinda hard to be more exact unless we all have the same understanding of music theory -- and I know very little formal theory!

Variation on a theme can be another way of creating a hook. Repeat a phrase for two bars, then change it a little on the third bar.

Wikipedia agrees with Diginut, quote:

A hook is a musical idea, a passage or phrase, that is believed to be catchy and helps the song stand out, it is, "meant to catch the ear of the listener" (Covach 2005, p.71). This term generally applies to popular music, especially pop music.

In "Be My Baby", performed by The Ronettes the hook consists of the "be my baby" lyrics over the conventional I-vi-IV-V chord progression of the chorus (ibid).

See also: riff, ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riff )

Source

* Stein, Deborah (2005). Engaging Music: Essays in Music Analysis. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195170105.
o Covach, John. "Form in Rock Music: A Primer".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hook_(music)

quote:

Originally posted by DigiNut We're talking about a definition here - a hook means something that is catchy and identifiable. It's not just something you "like".

Hmm... I quess I misunderstood the word 'identifiable'. I thought you meant hooks always have to be identifiable from somewhere before (so you like them cause they sound familiar to you). But I see you were talking about definition. Then I quess I'll have to agree.

quote:

Originally posted by DigiNut basslines are NOT hooks, and a hook generally has to be short (no more than a few seconds, maybe 10 or 15 at the most).

it can indeed be.. the bassline from BK - Revolution is the hook.. at least it is what hooks me.. the lead is also cool, but its the bassline that makes the track, ergo its the hook..

so what im getting at, is that, it can be, as long as its something new, that hasnt been done a million times over (eg gouryella style)

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