quick n’ easy arranging for choir - amazon s3 · pdf filequick n’ easy arranging...

Quick n’ Easy Arranging for ChoirKatie WardrobeMidnight Music

Face-to-face workshops

Online music tech courses

Some upcoming online courses:

Speedy Arranging with Sibelius (May)Sibelius Basics (April/May)

Sibelius Advanced (July/August)Audacity (Nov/Dec)

Free copy for all attendees free copy

www.midnightmusic.com.au/arrangeSession

notes

10am-11.30am Session 1

11.30am-11.50am Morning tea

11.50am-1.15pm Session 2

1.15pm-2pm Lunch

2pm-3.15pm Session 3

10 Steps to Arranging A Song

1. Choose a song

10 STEPS TO ARRANGING A SONG

Places to find inspiration• anywhere and everywhere!

How to choose songs that will work• catchy• singable melody & bassline• strong chord progression• scope for creativity• look at “arrangable” artists

• Sting

• Michael Jackson

• The Jackson 5

• Stevie Wonder

• Justin Timberlake

• Beatles

• Maroon 5

• Queen

artists to consider

Keeping a list of songs

iTunes Playlist

Pinterest

Evernote or Word

1.

2.

3.

But what about copyright??

Did the composer and lyricist die before 1945?

Yes

You’re good to go! Seek permission to arrange

No

Seeking permission

Who owns the copyright? (ask APRA/AMCOS)

Write to the copyright owners

Wait for the yes or no (and the cost)

1.

2.

3.

Chose your own adventure:picking a song for today

Happy - Pharrell Williams (and the story behind it)

Summertime

The Water is Wide

1.

2.

3.

2. Listen to the song....

...a lot

3. Gather materials

Useful resources - save time!

Lyrics

Sheet music

MIDI file

1.

2.

3.

4. Decide basic parameters

Deciding the musical style• change key• change tempo• change feel• faithful to the original?

Tears for Fears: Mad WorldGary Jules: Mad World

Jackson 5: I Want You BackSonos: I Want You Back

Other versions (in a moment)

Original version1.

2.

Listening...

While listening:what are your first impressions? Ideas?• faithful to the original?• accompanied or a cappella?• who will sing which bits?• solo?• ideas for inner parts?• percussion?

Backtrack

Matt Mulholland1.

2.

Inspiration from other versions?

Pentatonix3.

Trombone looping version4.

put them away!Then....

Mark song sections

Listen1.

2.

Your turn...

Write down some ideas3.

5. How will you “record” the arrangement?

NotationAudio recording1. 2. MIDI recording3.

Transcribe! software

iPad app options1.

2.

Tools to help you transcribe

Audacity3.

6. Get the melody down

Melody can provide structure

• can move it to another part later• map out the song

7. The simple secret to a good arrangement

= all you need

melody + strong bassline

8. Add interesting inner parts

Deciding the musical style• rhythmically interesting• different texture • imitate instruments• pinch words from the melody

The Real Group: I’m With YouSoCal VoCals: Falling SlowlyFiredrill!: My Yard

9. Make a good arrangement outstanding

Contrast!• unison vs many parts• sparse section vs full• contrasting texture• vary the tempo• add or subtract percussion• use layering• creative time signatures

Cluster: One Note Samba

10. Share your arrangement

Ways to share

• notated arrangements• recordings• reading scores on iPad• creating karaoke/rehearsal versions

Bonus tip:The one thing all good

arrangers do...

Contact Katie

www.midnightmusic.com.au

www.facebook.com/midnightmusic