Arranging and Orchestration Concepts!! 93a satisfactory result. Let the arranger determine the most appropriate com-
bination.
Rhythm Section
The rhythm section is the backbone of most popular music arrangements.
Generally, the rhythm section consists of keyboards, guitar, bass, drums,
and percussion. The arranger must become familiar with the various
choices of instruments offered in each category. The instruments are dis-
cussed in more detail later in this chapter.
One of the main differences between traditional arranging and arrang-
ing in a popular musical style is that most arrangers want the rhythm sec-
tion to sound spontaneous and expressive instead of simply playing a part
exactly as written. For this reason, arrangers usually use rhythm section
parts as guides and instruct the players to ‘‘open up the parts’’ by adding
their individual creative impetus. If musicians did not bring a unique ele-
ment to their playing, an arranger could hire almost any player who can
read music. This is not acceptable in popular music. The same principle
applies to synthesizer programmers. Programmers bring individualism to
their programming and develop trademarks in precisely the same manner
as musicians such as Herbie Hancock and Chris Botti. Many programmers
spend as much time programming and developing sounds as they do
working on an arrangement. Thecreative use of technologyis essential to
success in commercial music.
One of the most frequently used features of sequencing programs is
quantizing. Quantizing corrects the timing of a MIDI part that is played or
programmed into a sequencing program. For example, the notes can be
quantized, which moves them to the closest eighth note or sixteenth note
and so on. The result could be a precise but rigid part. A swing feel can be
added, or the snare drum can be placed behind the beat—‘‘laid back.’’
Most programmers place some tracks either before or after the beat. This
helps to achieve a more human feeling. Creating a specific feel might
require that some of the parts be precisely quantized and other parts be
moved before or after the beat. Experimentation is the only method of
achieving the proper overall feel.
The rhythm section should be heard as a tightly knit unit. This can be
accomplished in several ways.
If the parts are synthesized, solo each instrument and listen closely
for mistakes.Make certain that the parts have been properly quantized.
Quantizing a part does not necessarily mean that a quantized setting
(eighth note, sixteenth note, swing feel, and so on) is the most appropriate
for the composition. For example, an arranger might decide to quantize an
entire track with a swing feel; within the ‘‘swing feel’’ programming
option, there are suboptions. In addition, check for notation mistakes