When to use Extend

• You love the core idea but it’s too short for your use case.
• You want a short bridge before a final, bigger chorus.
• You need a longer outro or instrumental bed for video, reels, or streams.
• You’re building a loopable background and need more duration with subtle variation.

Mastery outcomes

• Create one Extend that adds a defined section (bridge/outro) without style drift.
• Write a 1–2 sentence anchor note that preserves key, tempo, and instrument palette.
• Resolve a join seam using Crop + micro Fade and confirm on 2× loop playback.
• Export with correct JR naming and move the keeper to a Workspace.

Pre-class setup (5 minutes)

• Log into Suno (web). Use Chrome or Edge. Disable extensions that alter page UI.
• Headphones connected; normalize system volume for A/B checks.
• Open tabs: Create, Library, and one Workspace for this exercise.
• Keyboard users: verify Tab/Shift+Tab moves focus; Enter/Space activates; Esc closes dialogs.

Principles that make Extend work

1. Anchor the vibe: Always restate genre, mood, key, tempo in your note.
2. One move at a time: Add one section per Extend (e.g., first bridge, then outro).
3. Short, specific notes: 1–2 sentences beat generic prompts every time.

Core module: Teach → Demo → Do

Teach (2 minutes)

Extend adds time or sections. Keep genre, mood, key, tempo constant by restating anchors in a short note.

Demo (3 minutes)

1. Open a keeper take → actions (three dots) → Extend.
2. Paste note:
   Keep key and tempo. Add an 8-bar bridge with light pads, then return to a bigger final chorus.
3. Generate 1–2 takes → A/B at equal loudness → choose smoother blend.

Do (7 minutes) — guided practice

1. Write your own anchor note (1 sentence). Include “keep key & tempo” + one arrangement cue.
2. Extend once. If seam audible, Crop 1–2 beats and add tiny fades; then Remaster once.
3. Export and name: Track_ExtendBridge_V#.ext; move to your Workspace.

Keyboard & screen-reader tips

• Tab/Shift+Tab moves focus; Enter/Space activates; Esc closes.
• Find controls fast with Cmd/Ctrl+F for “Extend”, “Crop”, or “Remaster”.

Copy-paste Extend notes (by goal)

Add a short bridge → final chorus

Continue the same genre, key, and tempo. Add an 8-bar bridge with call-and-response, then return to a bigger final chorus with layered harmonies.

Double the chorus (bigger finish)

Keep current groove, instruments, key, and tempo. Add a repeat chorus with extra ad-libs and a slightly fuller arrangement (no new drums).

Instrumental outro (for podcasts/video)

Continue the exact palette and tempo. Add a 12–16 bar instrumental outro that gradually thins; no new hooks; subtle automation feel.

Background bed extension (subtle loop vibe)

Maintain the same texture, key, and tempo. Extend with subtle variation only (no fills or drops); keep energy level constant for background use.

Genre-aware examples

• Pop: “Add a short bridge with a lifted pre-chorus feel; keep drums and bass unchanged; return to a wider final chorus.”
• Lo-fi hip hop: “Extend 16 bars with minimal variation; no risers; keep vinyl noise and soft keys steady.”
• Trap: “Add 8 bars maintaining 808 pattern and key; sprinkle ad-libs; no new melodic hooks.”
• EDM-adjacent: “Add 16 bars of tension pads (no drop); keep sidechain feel; return to the motif with slightly thicker stack.”
• Rock: “Add 8-bar guitar break; keep drum groove identical; avoid new riffs; return to a stronger gang-vocal chorus.”
• Cinematic: “Extend with evolving pads and low percussion; no theme change; preserve tempo and tonal center.”

Integrate with native tools (clean chain)

1. Replace (fix weak section) →
2. Extend (add bridge/outro) →
3. Crop + Fade (hide seams) →
4. Remaster once (final polish).

Why this order: fix content first, add length second, hide edges, then polish.

Hands-on labs

Lab A — 8-bar Bridge (10 min)

Goal: Add a bridge that dips energy then returns bigger.

Pass if: (1) no style drift; (2) bridge energy ≈ 80% of chorus; (3) join seamless on 2× loop.

Keep the current groove, instruments, key, and tempo. Add an 8-bar bridge with call-and-response; then return to a bigger final chorus.

Lab B — Double Chorus Finish (8 min)

Pass if: 2nd chorus adds width (ad-libs/harmonies) but no new drums; no loudness jump.

Maintain key and tempo. Repeat chorus with extra harmonies and light ad-libs; no new drum parts.

Lab C — Instrumental Outro (8 min)

Pass if: outro thins gradually (no new hooks); loop-able ending with tiny fades.

Keep exact palette and tempo. Add a 12–16 bar instrumental outro that gradually thins; no new motifs; subtle automation feel.

Accessibility lanes

Keyboard-only

• Tab/Shift+Tab to reach the actions button → Extend.
• Focus the note field → paste anchor note → Enter/Space to confirm.
• Use player controls via keyboard to A/B takes; set equal volume before deciding.

Screen-reader phrasing

• Search for “Extend” with Ctrl/Cmd+F; move to the next match until the action button is announced.
• Anchor note to dictate: “Keep key and tempo. Add [section] with [energy]. Return to final chorus.”

Troubleshooting Extend

Style drift after Extend

Fix: Restate anchors and forbid new elements.

Keep the exact current groove, instrument palette, key, and tempo. Do not introduce new drums or leads. Add only an 8-bar bridge with light pads.

Energy mismatch (bridge too loud/quiet)

Fix: Specify energy explicitly.

Bridge energy: 80% of chorus; lower drums; keep bass and keys constant; return to 110% energy for final chorus.

Audible seam or timing bump

• Crop 1–2 beats earlier/later and apply a micro fade.
• If a fill causes the bump, Replace that bar with “no fill; sustain pad”.

Harmony clash (key wobble)

Fix: Name the key if you know it; ask to keep it.

Keep key in C minor and tempo at 90 BPM. Add a 16-bar outro with sustained chords only; no modulations.

Extend decision tree

• Style drift? Re-Extend with anchors + “no new drums/leads”. If still drifting, Replace the first bar of the new section with “sustain pad; no fill”.
• Seam click? Crop 1–2 beats earlier/later → micro Fade; if a fill causes it, Replace that bar.
• Energy mismatch? Specify energy % (e.g., “bridge at 80% of chorus”).

Quality-assurance checklist (60-second pass)

• Continuity: Instruments and drum pattern match the earlier section.
• Energy curve: Bridge dips slightly; final chorus lifts appropriately.
• Seams: No clicks or timing bumps at joins (loop it twice to test).
• Clarity: After a single Remaster, vocals (if present) stay articulate.
• Searchability: Export named with track + edit + version (below).

Export naming & organization

Use the JR pattern: [TrackName]_[EditOrType]_V#.ext

• FirstLight_ExtendBridge_V2.wav
• FirstLight_ExtendFinalChorus_V3.wav
• FirstLight_ExtendOutro_V3.mp3

Move keepers into a Workspace immediately; thumbs down + delete misses to reduce clutter.

Assessment (3 checks)

1. Anchor note includes keep key & tempo + 1 arrangement cue.
2. Two-pass loop playback shows no audible seam.
3. Export named with JR pattern and filed to a Workspace.

Pass: 3/3 checks. Almost there: 2/3 (fix seam or naming and resubmit).

Advanced playbook

• Two-stage Extend: First create an 8-bar bridge; second Extend adds a refrain lift. Avoid one huge instruction.
• Key-locking: If harmony wobbles, state the key (e.g., C minor) and forbid modulations.
• Bed mode: Ask for “subtle variation only” to avoid ear-catching fills in background content.
• Polish order: Replace → Extend → Crop/Fade → single Remaster → Export.

Capstone: Extended single (25 minutes)

1. Replace one weak bar if needed (blend first).
2. Extend with an 8-bar bridge, then a bigger final chorus (two separate Extends).
3. Hide seams with Crop + micro Fade; Remaster once.
4. Export: Track_ExtendBridge_FinalChorus_V#.wav. Move to Workspace and add to a Playlist named Capstones.