Arranging and Orchestration Concepts!! 91Approaching an Arrangement
Most composers envision an arrangement and express their concept to the
arranger. Become familiar with the genre of music being written. Listen to
the radio and to CDs that contain music with a similar arranging concept.
The Internet is also a source for research. Most Internet record stores (e.g.,
iTunes) allow consumers to preview 30-second samples of songs.
If the assignment is to compose and arrange a hip-hop track, it might
be beneficial to listen to a hip-hop drum loop while composing. This helps
to create the proper ambience and form a foundation for the arrangement.
The arranger has a certain goal, and the more specific the assignment, the
better chance he or she has of pleasing the creative team.
If the arranger is not the composer, the arranger probably will be com-
municating directly not with the agency but with the composer. This
makes it easier because the composer can converse in specific musical
terms. The arranger should ask questions before beginning to work. The
following is a list of suggested questions.
Do the creatives want the same instrumentation as the instrumenta-
tion used in the example or demo?For instance, if the example is orches-
tral, the budget may not allow for the same number of musicians heard on
the example. Any problems similar to this should be explained to the cre-
atives prior to working.
How many musicians can be hired within the allotted budget?Be
certain to allow for the proper number of musicians in the initial budget
proposal. Once a budget is approved, it is difficult to increase it.
Will the arrangement require editing to fit versions of a commercial
that are either longer or shorter than the original?Agencies often request
a 15- and/or a 10-second version of a 30-second arrangement. This affects
the creation of the original arrangement. If the arranger has prior knowl-
edge that the arrangement will require a longer or shorter version, create
the arrangement with natural edit points. Sometimes it is necessary to
rewrite and rerecord the music because the edited version will not prop-
erly synchronize with the picture.
Using Technology
There are numerous ways to accomplish a desired ‘‘sound.’’ In the section
titled ‘‘Studio Technology as It Applies to Music Production’’ in chapter 3
of the first edition of this book, the importance of using technology in cre-
ative ways was discussed. In all genres of commercial music, technology
is involved in the creation of an arrangement and an orchestration. The
use of equalization, as well as effects such as reverberation, echo, delays,
flangers, choruses, compressors, limiters, and variations of these devices,
applies to the creative process.