28 !!Chapter 3
IarrangedaseriesofcommercialsforBurlingtonCoatFactoryfor
which the client licensed the song ‘‘Shop Around,’’ which was originally
recorded by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. The client obtained the
rights to the song, which did not include the right to copy the original
arrangement; in addition, the singers could not imitate the sound of the
original singers. Before the commercial was broadcast, a musicologist was
hired to analyze the recordings. Her mission was to examine the new
recording for possible plagiarism. A male and a female lead singer were
recorded, and the agency opted to air the female version so there could be
no claim that the singer sounded like Smokey Robinson. Although com-
posers have to be cautious, they can replicate a sound without committing
plagiarism.
Analyze arranging (orchestration) and compositional styles and
observe patterns and musical rules that identify musical styles within his-
torical time periods. The following section contains specific examples of
music styles.
Throughout his career, Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the world’s great
composers, copied and arranged other composers’ works as a learning
exercise. This should be periodically practiced with all styles of music.
Many stylistic elements become easily recognizable when composers and
arrangers study music in detail; it becomes easier to duplicate a style. The
harmonic structure, voicings, instrumentation, and musical form, along
with additional elements of a musical style, can be learned through this
teaching method.
In the study of Western music history, from the beginning of codified
music, musical ‘‘rules’’ were strictly followed. From the Gregorian chants
and the music of the Renaissance to the baroque, classical, romantic, and
twentieth-century styles, harmonic and rhythmic conventions have been
adhered to. Combinations of instruments became identified with musical
periods. For example, the basso continuo, also called thoroughbass, is a
notational system developed during the baroque period. The bass part and
treble part, which made up the melody, are the only written notes. The
continuo was used at a time when music was beginning to be conceived
as consisting of a melody and a harmony. A harmonic code, called figured
bass, was placed above or below the bass line, and the harmonies were
defined through musical symbols. The part was played by a keyboard or
lute and improvised by the musicians. The bass part, called a continuo,
was played by a harpsichord, clavier, or lute along with a violoncello, bass
gamba, or bassoon.
If an assignment is to write in the baroque style, that does not necessar-
ily indicate composing a continuo with figured bass. The baroque period
lasted from 1600 until 1750 and incorporated many styles of music. Play
several styles for the creatives so that they can choose the appropriate
approach for the commercial.
If the assignment is to compose a piece that is in a contemporary popu-