Arranging and Orchestration Concepts!! 97before purchasing it. If your budget allows for the purchase of several syn-
thesizers and/or samplers, a variety of sounds should be the main crite-
rion. Do not purchase either hardware or software devices that essentially
have the same sounds.
Arranging for Keyboards
Keyboards are used in various ways: to accompany other instruments, to
play samples of real instruments and solos, and to create effects and mel-
low analog sounds, such as pads or beds (held chords that create a silky
background). Most synthesizers are equipped with adjustable sound
parameters and effects, such as reverb, delays, filters, and oscillators. For
example, a vocal track can be completely altered by inputting the vocal
through a synthesizer or sampler and editing the parameters. This is gen-
erally called avocoder; not all synthesizers or samplers have one.
The arranger determines how the keyboards will be incorporated into
an arrangement. Because programming keyboards is complex, it behooves
an arranger to consult with the performer as to the various sounds and
effects that can be created. If a special sound or effect is required, it is best
for the arranger to contact the programmer (performer) prior to the ses-
sion since programming is time consuming and the sounds should be cre-
ated prior to the session.
Traditional piano parts (in popular music) are usually notated by
using a combination of chord symbols and notation. If an arranger writes
a specific pattern, the part will indicate where it begins and ends, followed
by chord symbols and the wordsimile(meaning similar); this indicates
that the player should improvise using a similar pattern.
The following are descriptions of some popular keyboards.
Electric pianos.Rhodes and Wurlitzer are the most popular brands of
electric pianos. The sounds on both keyboards can be edited. The most
noticeable feature of electric pianos is the vibrato. When recorded in
stereo, the electric piano creates a soothing bed.
Electric pianos, combined with a variety of additional sounds, can cre-
ate interesting and unusual sonorities. A popular combination is an elec-
tric piano and an acoustic piano playing the same part. It sounds both rich
and soothing. Another effective combination is electric piano and strings.
The combination can create a beautiful and mellow or a powerful sound.
Experimenting with additional combinations creates interesting and
unique sonorities.
Synthesized electric pianos.Most synthesizers and samplers include
a number of electric piano samples in the general MIDI patches that are
included with most instruments. An infinite number of variations and
combinations can be achieved through editing. Numerous edited versions
of the Rhodes and Wurlitzer, as well as less popular electric pianos, are
available as samples.