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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
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
