Simple Complex Simple
Arranging music is a delight. Recently I’ve been working with lyricists in my local area putting music to their lyrics and/or their melodies. There are many approaches because each artist and arrangement is unique in itself. I’ve been working on solos, duets, acoustic, choir and jazz songs. Each song has it’s own signature to it…(sorry there are no original samples for you to hear as they are not released yet but will be in the near future J).
Music arranging is a subjective matter, so it will be pleasing to some hearers and possibly unpleasant to others. The thing is to capture and solidify the best moments whilst organising the parts. As I read the lyrics I try and envisage the essence/mood/feel of the song; that helps me come up with a melody or some kind of rhythm, or even a flow for the song. I generally would hum, la or even sing a tune using the lyrics. Another way I might work is play the piano to the lyrics and work out a melody that way or program a beat if that is what is required. If I’m given a melodic idea I listen to it over and over so that I can sing it while I form the harmonic or rhythmic arrangement. By then I can hear if the idea works; I may even alter the melody or lyric if need be just so that the song works for the vocalist as well as the instrument/s.
I do like to put my stamp on the arrangement I am working on but it is not necessary for me to do that if it is uncalled for. I do not want to change the given melody or lyrics if it does not need changing. The fact that I am arranging it will reflect a part of my musical vocabulary. I desire every musical arrangement to be the best it can be, so I tend to build the instrumentation and just use various sounds for colour or effect.
Testing and hearing the finished product is always an exciting moment as the first response or reaction is a good indication if I am on the right track. Sometimes it may take time to listen to the musical arrangement over a period of time (minutes, hours or days) before the artist/management/commissioner and I come to an agreement. I make sure I am flexible to work with, as my goal is to have a completed arrangement that the recipient is more than happy with, after all it is their vision I’m trying to produce.
