Tips on arranging songs

  • Thread starter Thread starter talk show host
  • Start date Start date
I don't write songs....

I don't write songs... they write me! I never succeed when I sit down and say "I'm going to write a song now." They usually come to me when I'm not looking for them. And they grow just as organically--you should let your songs arrange themselves. You'll know if they need an extra verse, or an extra chorus, or a bridge, what kind of instrumentation the song wants.... Do it all by ear and don't even think about structure. If you're planning this in advance, then you're losing out on the beauty of songwriting

Pete
 
yo pete

i think you hit the nail on the head!
it's not that the rules are BAD, it's just where you place them on your priority list.
BEGIN with rules & you have lost the organic-ness of the whole process. you have lost the ART of it.
let the IDEA be the guide and the song will always be a real expression of your own psyche, not a representation of formulated rules in an organized sterile package. :cool:


mike
 
rhythm rhythm rhythm

the backbone of most "pop" songs as far as arrangement goes.
I do my best to make sure the rhythm section is really tight when arranging. This, surprisingly, is so often overlooked ( i.e., we concentrate too much on the lead instruments ).
If the backbone isn't there, the rest of it falls apart.
Even if your only rhythm is an acoustic guitar or some auxillary percussion, make sure that the song has some sort of "pulse".
Also, simplicity is a key factor. With our DAWs and virtually unlimited amount of tracks, we have the temptation to just keep piling things on. Strip it down, and start from the bottom.
all, of course, my opinion.
the only rule, there are no rules.
 
2 gems

at least, I feel....

#1. Add em 2 at a time.
Old Linda Ronstadt did this beautifully. Tamb AND piano at the same time.. Shakers AND Heavy electric lead. You get the idea. P.s. Dan Dougmore/Waddy Wachtel/Whoever played the rest of the leads must had a blast! I wonder who played the up stroke rythm (outrageous track) on just one look.

#2. My young talented inexperienced (That's good!) creative alternative next guy with a hit record-cousin says 'Intro-verse1-Chorus-SOLO!, v2 whatever... The key is SOLO after the first verse. Kinda killer old feel.

I'm 33, creative, and not afraid to break rules, and stilll VALUE the young! remember when you were 20 and thought you KNEW wayyyy more than everybody else? Guess what?
you did
rj
 
I have one rule

And if you break it by putting me to sleep, I won't be able to listen to the rest of your song.
 
sleeping

Right on! I know a lifer who has gold on the wall. He told me that the first LINE is important. Use a nutgrabber like...

I remember pimpin beer
A shot of nasty rum
It's getting pretty sorry when you gotta count the days, beteen the drunken nightmares and the lifting of the haze.
My wife wont wanna hear it, but I'm sure you'd love to know,
and lemme remember 1 more...
I could take you to the movies, and I'd remember what you said, I could wash my car on Friday, but I'd Rather Be Dead.
rj RBD Records.
 
As far as a typical country/pop song, I think you have to have a clear sense of where the story is going, a catchy hook, and also an eventual payoff. Don't leave your listener hanging because they won't listen again if you do.

dave @ kathode ray
www.indiebiz.com

Click here for a free, 10-day music promotion course.
 
It seems to me that you guys are talking form more than arranging. To me the arrangement is the feel of the music. It is putting the the right instrument in the right place playing the right notes to get the feeling you want to create. I believe the form will find itself depending on the song. The arrangement is the hardest part of a song. with the right arranger you can have a hit with Jingle Bells.
davem
 
Songs under 3 minutes! Blasphemy! Sure, they might get you on the radio, and maybe they will make you lots of money (why is this bad you might ask). Well it isn't, but I couldn't do it. I can only end a song when I think its over. I can't do that in under 3 minutes. My shortest song ever was just under 5 minutes, and that was a toughy. Long songs can bore listeners, but thats only if you have like 4 of the exact same verses, etc. I use the arrangments, and very odd song forms to keep the listener entertained. Go listen to the album "Aenima" by Tool. Hard pressed to find a song under 5 minutes on there that is a real song (plenty of short voicemail and other odd segues.). You will not be bored, or lose your attention span. Instead your jaw will drop and you'll understand my statement about the song being "over". More power to you catchy pop song writing guys, but it ain't my thing.
Jake
http://www.worthlessmusic.com
http://www.creation16.com
 
Spot-on Miker73!

1. Pulse. Yep, if it's loose and saggy, it's dead. Something has to keep the beat and keep it well. It doesn't have to be drums but if it's something else it must give all those air-baton conductors or foot-tappers out there something to move to. Even a ballad needs a pulse to sway to.

2. Simplicity. I used to think how great it would be to have 24 tracks (and part of me still does), but take a note of how many great records consist of just a few major parts. A voice or two, guitar/keyboard, bass, and drums. Everything else is way down in the mix because it is just enhancing the power that is already provided by the main elements. I've found that this is where the listen-at-low-level or listen-in-the-car-on-the-highway tests are useful. Those main elements must all be audible and working together. That shaker and the subtle string pad should be able to be taken away without destroying the song.

So now it doesn't bother me that I don't have 24 tracks because I'm always aiming to get it right from the start:
A good lyric, a good melody, interesting chords, interesting V/Ch/Br sequence, interesting instrumentation, a good singer, good musicians, good instruments, well recorded, and well mixed. If the end isn't coming out right, I work down from the top to see what's broken. You can't gild a turd.

Cheers,
Mike.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top