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Making Beats - Arrangement
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May May
Aug 6, 2009, 4:59:03 AM8/6/09
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Arrangement is Taking the intro, the verses, the chorus, and other
parts of songs, and arranging them.
Sounds simple, and the truth is that it is. It only gets hard when you
make it hard.
The simplest arrangement is Intro-Verse-Chorus-Bridge (A solo, for
example) -Finish.
All it really is, is figuring out when instruments start, when the
beat starts and when they stop. How often you use your chorus, how
long you let a hook ride, how long a solo lasts. If you don't try to
over think everything, the song will "tell you" how it should be
arranged.
Style and song feel plays the biggest role in how you arrange a song.
Softer songs generally start with a guitar or keyboard intro, then let
the beat come in. More exciting songs often start with the bass, or
full rhythm section, then add the rest. In your face tracks typically
blast you with a loud intro using everything.
The truth is that their are no rules for arranging a song. I know
people hate to hear that sort of thing, but its true. Listen to ten
rappers and they will each have their own style of arranging songs.
The same goes for all music. Part of what makes an artists or groups
style is how they like to arrange songs.
Some don't bother at all, or use arrangements loosely. Free style
rappers, jam bands like the grateful dead and others, just do what
they feel at the time.
Try starting with a Hi-Hat hitting on each beat. Then add your kick in
a steady rhythm. Add a clap after every second Kick (kick-Kick-Clap-
Kick-Kick-Clap). Then arrange some other percussion around that. Use
different sounds in the same rhythms in a rotating pattern. For
example use three toms for the first use of your rhythm, then do the
same thing with two toms and a snare, then with three snares, then go
back to the three toms.
That's a simple way to assemble a Beat.
Try using a break. Use a single element of your rhythm to keep things
going, but drop out the rest of the beat for a short time.
In Pop and Rock Music the point of the beat is to back up the rest of
the music. Unless its the focal point of the song on purpose. Being a
lyricist and Vocalist, I often start with the lyrics and vocals, then
assemble the music around them. Some do it that way, others make the
music first, then the lyrics are written (conformed) for the music.
The possibilities are truly only limited by your imagination.
There is no wrong way to arrange music. If it sounds good to you, go
for it. The only bad thing you can do (in my opinion) is try to make
your stuff sound just like someones else's.
Its not wrong to get inspiration from other people. making something
that sounds like theirs, to help you perfect your craft is fine, but
just copying their style and not putting anything of yourself in it is
BS.
I personally hate the way everything sounds alike right now, but if
you want to copy rather than create, try listening to your favorite
group/performer and just make something that sounds like their stuff.
No imagination or soul needed.
parts of songs, and arranging them.
Sounds simple, and the truth is that it is. It only gets hard when you
make it hard.
The simplest arrangement is Intro-Verse-Chorus-Bridge (A solo, for
example) -Finish.
All it really is, is figuring out when instruments start, when the
beat starts and when they stop. How often you use your chorus, how
long you let a hook ride, how long a solo lasts. If you don't try to
over think everything, the song will "tell you" how it should be
arranged.
Style and song feel plays the biggest role in how you arrange a song.
Softer songs generally start with a guitar or keyboard intro, then let
the beat come in. More exciting songs often start with the bass, or
full rhythm section, then add the rest. In your face tracks typically
blast you with a loud intro using everything.
The truth is that their are no rules for arranging a song. I know
people hate to hear that sort of thing, but its true. Listen to ten
rappers and they will each have their own style of arranging songs.
The same goes for all music. Part of what makes an artists or groups
style is how they like to arrange songs.
Some don't bother at all, or use arrangements loosely. Free style
rappers, jam bands like the grateful dead and others, just do what
they feel at the time.
Try starting with a Hi-Hat hitting on each beat. Then add your kick in
a steady rhythm. Add a clap after every second Kick (kick-Kick-Clap-
Kick-Kick-Clap). Then arrange some other percussion around that. Use
different sounds in the same rhythms in a rotating pattern. For
example use three toms for the first use of your rhythm, then do the
same thing with two toms and a snare, then with three snares, then go
back to the three toms.
That's a simple way to assemble a Beat.
Try using a break. Use a single element of your rhythm to keep things
going, but drop out the rest of the beat for a short time.
In Pop and Rock Music the point of the beat is to back up the rest of
the music. Unless its the focal point of the song on purpose. Being a
lyricist and Vocalist, I often start with the lyrics and vocals, then
assemble the music around them. Some do it that way, others make the
music first, then the lyrics are written (conformed) for the music.
The possibilities are truly only limited by your imagination.
There is no wrong way to arrange music. If it sounds good to you, go
for it. The only bad thing you can do (in my opinion) is try to make
your stuff sound just like someones else's.
Its not wrong to get inspiration from other people. making something
that sounds like theirs, to help you perfect your craft is fine, but
just copying their style and not putting anything of yourself in it is
BS.
I personally hate the way everything sounds alike right now, but if
you want to copy rather than create, try listening to your favorite
group/performer and just make something that sounds like their stuff.
No imagination or soul needed.
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