Arranging and Orchestration Concepts!! 89standard lead sheet consists of a melody, lyrics, and chord symbols. The
arranger has many options when choosing how to harmonize the arrange-
ment. Some arrangers add chord substitutions in order to add variety to
an arrangement. Do not do this without permission. Some substitutions
can change the character of the composition, and the creatives will not
‘‘hear’’ the composition they approved. Play examples for the creatives
before completing the arrangement.
Instrumentation:This is generally determined before the arrangement
is written. Since the arranger usually has some fresh ideas once the cre-
ative process begins, they should be discussed with the creative people.
Budget is always a consideration.
The arrangement and orchestration create the mood and musical col-
ors of the composition.The texture of the entire composition is the
arranger’s responsibility once the composition has been approved. Con-
duct specific conversations concerning this issue.
The key contributes to the ambience of the composition.Different
keys evoke diverse moods. In the key of C major, the first note may be an
E above middle C (a major third higher than the tonic); in the key of G
major, the first note may be a B above G (a major third higher than the
tonic)—a perfect fifth higher than E. This will obviously change the tessi-
tura, which will affect the entire ambience of the composition. The key is
crucial and should be considered an important factor while creating an
arrangement. Discuss this with the composer.
When arranging vocals, make certain the key is correct before arran-
ging.Call the singers and confirm that the key is within their tessitura. If
they arrive at the session and the key is wrong, it might be too late to make
adjustments. When the entire arrangement is synthesized, changing the
key is simple; if there is a live orchestra, it will be very difficult, unless the
transposition is simple, for example, performing the arrangement one full
step higher or lower.
Ensuring that the key is correct for the singers is the composer’s
responsibility. If a rerecording is necessary because of key problems, the
additional expense will be deducted from the music company’s and/or
composer’s fee. Since recording the music for commercials is usually the
last element before the final film mix, there will be time problems if the
music has to be rerecorded. An error such as this, which is easily avoid-
able, can ruin the relationship between a composer and a music house and
between the music house and an agency.
Keys affect voicings. If a key is changed after the arrangement has been
completed, pay particular attention to the transposed voicings. Some notes
may sound too high, other notes may sound too low and muddy, and
some notes will be out of the range of an instrument(s). Usually, a change
in key requires harmonic or melodic inversions or restructuring. For
instance, after a change in key, if the violins are supposed to play an E