Creating Simple Arrangements

• Arranging

“Taking an existing piece of music and changing it in some way for a performance.”

• Composing

“Writing a new piece of music from scratch”

• When you arrange a piece of music you try to adapt / change it to suit a different scenario. You can do this by changing different things:– Instruments / Ensemble– Rhythms / Style / Groove– Tempo– Texture– Tonality

etc…

What is Arranging…?

• Listen to this MIDI file and watch the music below.

• This is the original tune played on it’s own.

How I Wonder…

• Now listen to the following simple arrangement of this tune.

• Notice the two distinct styles used and that the 12 bar tune is heard 3 times.

• EACH 12 BARS IS DIFFERENT

Twinkle, Twinkle…

• Start with a simple tune and find out what chords to use with each bar:

• Click here to see a ‘leadsheet’ of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

• Now watch and listen to this arrangement of the tune in Sibelius.

• Pay particular attention to how the tune has been changed and adapted so as not to become repetitive.

How Do I Start… (1)

• Always start by entering the melody in the style you want it to begin with.

• Now add the chords to suit the style. (DON’T JUST ENTER SEMIBREVES)

– You could use broken chords– You could put the chords into a suitable rhythm.

• Next add a bass line – this should be based around the bottom note of the chord (the root note)

• Finally, add a counter-melody – a new tune to go with the main melody.

• Once you have the first playing of the tune, start again but change the order of things.

– A new instrument playing the tune– Change the key– Change the tempo / rhythms used– Maybe change the dynamics…

• VARY YOUR ARRANGEMENT BY CHANGING THE USE OF MUSICAL ELEMENTS – THEY ARE THE FOUNDATION OF ALL MUSIC.

How Do I Start… (2)

• Look at the Folk Tune Book for ideas – pick one of the Folk Tunes and create a simple arrangement based on the melody and chords given.

• Your arrangement should…– Use the melody 3 times about 36 bars long– Include at between 5 & 7 instruments

• One must be a melody line• One must play some chords• One must play a bass line• One must be a percussion line

• Don’t forget to vary the melody and style of the piece each time you repeat it. If you don’t the arrangement will start to sound very repetitive.

Folk Tune Task

• Look at the Folk Tune Book for ideas

• Use all the ideas discussed today and look at the Sibelius Arrangements Handout

• If you are unsure of your notes and what rests to use etc…Have a look at the Arranging Guide

• If you decide to include drums, have a look at the Drum Notation handout for ideas of how to write some basic rhythms and where different drums are written.

Arrangement Task Help