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arrangingSONG

“The art of preparing and adapting an already written composition for presentation other than its original form.”

-Corozine 2002, p.3

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

It is taking someone’s MELODY and LYRICS and changing INSTRUMENTATION, INTRODUCTIONS, ENDINGS, SOLOS, TEMPOS, ADDING ACCOMPANIMENTS, and that sort of thing…

WHAT IS IT ARRANGING?

ReharmonizationParaphrasingDevelopment of a composition

ARRANGEMENT MAY INCLUDE

in arranging

10TiPS

Listen to what other producers have done and figure out why it works (or maybe why it doesn’t work)

Be sure to analyze the arrangement of your favorite tracks

1. LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN

A popular technique is to have the vocal start slightly before the instrumental parts. You don’t have to have an intro at all—a number of tunes particularly hip-hop tracks do perfectly without.

2. Intro

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF…

VOCALSDon’t be shy of dropping out everything but the vocal in the sections of your arrangement.

3. Vocals

If your arrangement seems crowded, try removing elements of certain parts that interfere with each other

Example: If your vocal is clashing with the guitar or keyboard, try cutting out on the guitar while the vocal plays

4. CROWDING

The chorus is probably the main part of any song that needs to be lifted with additional arrangement.

If you need to fill out your choruses, try REINFORCING your vocal with an instrument part playing the same notes.

5. Chorus

Don’t feed them the same parts and accompanying chords each time a verse or chorus comes along.

Try switching chords and riffs halfway through

6. Keep Your Audience on their Toes!

7. Don’t be shy of some theatrical mood building.

Map out the FORM OF THE PIECE, then the FORM OF THE ARRANGEMENT, as well as any NOTES you think you might forget.

Do you want it shorter because of some performance time constraint? –figure out where you can steal some time without sounding unnatural

If something interesting in an entire section of the piece doesn’t work with your forces: CUT IT! –perhaps you can REPEAT a pivotal section that does work with your forces.

8. Mapping Out

Don’t be afraid to change registers!

9. R E G I S T E R S

Don’t be afraid of rewriting a harmony or two; or harmonizing a melody line

You can add 2-part, 3-part, or even 4-part harmony.

Words can be added or simple sounds like ooh and ahh can make a song artistic

10. HarmonY

songsARRANGED

TITLE ORIGINAL ARRANGED

Doo BidooApo Hiking Society

Kamikazee

Awit ng BarkadaApo Hiking Society

Itchyworms

Bizarre Love TriangleNew Order Frenté

The Time(I’ve Had the Time of My

Life)

OST-Dirty Dancing

B.E.P.



Kamikazee


Itchyworms



Life)

OST-Dirty Dancing

B.E.P.



Kamikazee


Itchyworms



Life)

OST-Dirty Dancing

B.E.P.



Kamikazee


Itchyworms



Life)

OST-Dirty Dancing

B.E.P.



Kamikazee


Itchyworms



Life)

OST-Dirty Dancing

B.E.P.



Kamikazee


Itchyworms



Life)

OST-Dirty Dancing

B.E.P.



Kamikazee


Itchyworms



Life)

OST-Dirty Dancing

B.E.P.



Kamikazee


Itchyworms



Life)

OST-Dirty Dancing

B.E.P.

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