AKARSH SHEKHAR
HOW TO ARRANGE Songs in the Studio ?
A good rule of thumb is that when preparing for a recording session , the more time you spend on preproduction , the better your output will be . This is very critical as far as song arrangements are concerned .
The following tips are not an exhaustive list of organizing ideas , nor should you expect all the information to be new to you . Arrangement ideas are specific to each song - what can elevate one tune from mundane to unforgettable may not work at all on another . So even if a particular idea doesn ’ t work for a given song , remember it for later and it might just help you out with your next song .
1 . Dynamics One of the best ways to create natural movement in your songs is to utilize dynamic changes for separating verses and choruses . For example , choruses are often louder than verses . Drummers can play with a side stick on verses and a full snare on backing vocals , guitarists can hum backing vocals while arpeggiating verses , and keyboardists can clarify verses . There are all kinds of ways to make dynamic changes , including adding or changing instrumentation when you want a section to get bigger .
2 . Instruments If the choruses are going to be larger than the verses , adding additional instruments to the choruses is a great way to achieve this . For example , if a verse has an electric guitar part , adding a more distorted second guitar in the backing vocals will definitely help the backing vocals be bigger . A piano in verse can be paired with an organ in a choir , or a tambourine ( or other percussion instruments ) can be used for the same effect . Any instrument that is added to a given section can be used : a sax , a mandolin , or an accordion .
3 . Instrumental parts The importance of the rhythm section can not be overstated , with the musicians creating and then playing parts . If you can create consistent parts for verses , choruses , and any other section within the song , not only will the arrangement make more sense , but it will likely become more musical .
4 . Key Change While it has been used , and possibly overused , for years when you need to pick up a song , a key change can work wonders . A half-step or fullstep modulation after a solo , after a bridge , or in a repeating chorus can do wonders for the emotion of a song . However , you should use it in moderation and not overuse it . Otherwise , your song might start sounding a little weird and perhaps even amusical .
5 . Arrangements Background vocals are a great tool for creating song arrangements . As a song progresses , start with a harmony voice , add another later in the song , and work your way up to a full chorus ( if the song supports that sort of thing ). It is more common to have one or two singers harmonizing some sections of the song along with the lead vocalist , while other parts of the song will have a small group of singers doing oohs and ahhs . This type of vocal pad can add richness and depth to even the quietest parts of the song . From a lead vocalist ' s perspective , changing the timbre of your voice from light and airy to a full-throated scream ( or something in between ) can define the parts of a song and make an arrangement more memorable .
These are just a few of the many things to think about when creating arrangements for studio recordings ; there are hundreds more . While great songs and great performances are more important than any arrangement idea , great arrangements will help songs reach their full potential , so don ’ t sleep on it when you record a song .
The Score Magazine
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