The first stage. Where the song starts. Brainstorm, demo, song structure, reference tracks, scratch takes. Get the bones down before tracking. Bring an idea — leave with a plan.
The pre-production stage. Where the song starts. By the end of the session you have a tracking list and a direction, not a half-finished sketch.
Pull references, sketch direction. What does this song want to be next to on a playlist?
Quick scratch takes, just to hear it. Voice memo to scratch demo, fast. Before the second-guessing kicks in.
Verse / chorus / bridge. Bones first, fancy parts second. The song fits before the production gets layered on.
By session end you have a tracking list, instrument list, and a deadline. Build phase ready to start.
Got a song idea but no roadmap to finishing it? That's exactly what this stage is for.