[CaptainTrips]

I have been working more on writing songs and mostly they come up good. My main problem is that I tend to write nothing but hooks and jams. I run into problems when I transition those jams into something else. Like a bridge or a different jam.

Twice, on two different songs/jams when I brought them to my band the general consensus was that the only way to transition out of what I started was to just stop . . . . no drums, bass, guitar, anything for a bar or two. This cant be the best way to transition pieces.

How do you folks go about this sort of thing.

[Pete B.]

fwiw, One method often used to transition to/from a bridge is to use the V7 chord of the new key as a transition point.
For example, If you are playing along in whatever key, and you want to get back to G, use a bar of D7 as the transition chord.

[trking8]

good question. try a double stop, low end, half-step, half the tempo walk down.

or listen to a tune you love with a good break and steal from it.

it's hard to stay out of the jam band stuff and find a melody.

t

[strumminsix]

fwiw, One method often used to transition to/from a bridge is to use the V7 chord of the new key as a transition point.
For example, If you are playing along in whatever key, and you want to get back to G, use a bar of D7 as the transition chord.

If it's more of a I IV V sorta song a ii is often used to launch a bridge or perhaps a vi

If it's not I IV V many songs convert a chord that was previously a minor to a major.

[Tennessee Jedi]

Twice, on two different songs/jams when I brought them to my band the general consensus was that the only way to transition out of what I started was to just stop . . . . no drums, bass, guitar, anything for a bar or two. This cant be the best way to transition pieces.

How do you folks go about this sort of thing.

Have the drummer count out "The Transition" even if its just with his sticks.Eventually he will come up with a drum fill to lead you to the next part.
Dont forget your originals may work in your head but to someone who has never heard the tune before they could be unclear.
Maybe tape some of the good practices and pick and choose stuff thats works so you can point out what you want.
Silent spaces in music work too though.