Yes, these are all good and workable ideas, as long as you do what you think sounds great. I like Mike's 'break the rules' also but perhaps without his pessimism, however accurate. You never know what will be a winner.

One of the things I do is add jazz horn and wind parts to songs by singer-songwriters, and I do build layers as we go. I also write instrumental 'hooks' that often become the more memorable parts of the song. Concentrate on the songwriting first, then your performance, and don't be afraid to find specialists who can produce and arrange for you.

In my genre (Brazilian jazz), I tend to write a more energetic opening intro, because I figure you only have a few seconds to catch the listener's interest before they click away. Then your plan of minimal orchestration in the first verse followed by more development later, might have more impact. I rarely 'unpack' at the end if I've built up the energy, but in some genres it can work.

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