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Music Arranging


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I was wondering if anyone could recommend some good books, or even better, some good online content that discusses arranging. This is one area I would like to improve upon. I want to use this information to aid in writing songs using my PC and Rompler. For example, in a song what are the roles of different instruments, and when is the right time to add that brass stab, string swells, or organ sound. How does the bass fit into a song, when should the bass be walking and when should it be just sustained notes

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The right time is when it suits you - there is no right time per say...

 

Going to a different genre though - the thing like makes DJ Tiesto a top DJ aint so much his mixing but how he control the flow of energy in the music - giving the audience a chill enough, slow energising build ups until people are desparate for him to let rip...

 

The same principles apple anywhere where the music wants to make an emotional connection with its listeners, chill them/energise them, make them happy/sad, suicidal or whatever - to my mind - this flow of energy/emotion in music is what makes music really touch your soul rather then just pass you by - many of the great composers have this skill, while others were very gifted musically, but the music just doesnt touch you in the same way. There are a few bands around who seem to have stumbled upon this in some of their tracks, most guitar bands rely on lyrics, voice and someone w****** on stage while someone else beats the crap out of an innocent drum kit - and they are basically clueless. We all know Samuels Barber's Adagio for strings - IMHO he had the gift - probably why some many synth covers of it have been done and why it get used in so many movies.

 

Books may cover the how both in terms of basic arrangement and voicing (ie how incidental chords are voicing and built up across different instruments etc), when certain types chord can work etc, what certain progression can convey, why certain notes backed against certain chord tend to music the next note in a certain direction etc and when you can suprise someone by doing something different etc - when it appropriate, when it isnt.

 

You may hate trance, but actually there are some DJs around who really have this skill, most sadly do not and just get lost in the technicalities of mixing and flipping records...

 

How to learn - just listen to stuff - particular music that really touches you - tease it apart - figure out why it has the effect it does, try to reproduce those concepts in your own music see if it works...

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How to learn - just listen to stuff - particular music that really touches you - tease it apart - figure out why it has the effect it does, try to reproduce those concepts in your own music see if it works...

 

 

Sage advice :thu:

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