Exactly what the title says. I can get a lot of the sounds I want, but arranging and evolving them is very difficult. Where can I find insight on improving my musical arrangement? I don't mind paying if it's a very good/concise book.


Thanks.

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Fact is, probably not even 1/10...

Anyone can make cool sounds and tweak some knobs after they've read a book.

Music arrangement can be learned to some degree (music theory, etc) but for the most part Moksha, its gleaned from years of experience or some form of training (be they piano lessons or production classes). I would suggest checking an online course from a prestigous school like Berklee Music. That's just one of many that offer courses for what you seek.

Can't imagine a book being able to really do much for you. They're out there, but how effective they are is questionable.

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please review my latest AMBIENT track HERE.

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Where can I find insight on improving my musical arrangement?

From your listening environment. Do you realise that as learning creatures, we learn and adapt to the environment we're subjected to? Every track we listen to is impregnated into our memory, and forms the basis for what we consider to be the "norm of arrangement" to a genre which I must stress is highly formulaic.

Creativity on the other hand is achieved by subtly deversifying from this "norm". Copying the norm is easy. Being able to create a track which will be the norm in 2 years time is what's unteachable

Create a "song map". Visually draw out the way you want your track to be arranged. One way to do this is in the form of a chart with the bar numbers along the bottom (like 0, 8, 16, 32) and on the left you can have emotional states you want to inspire in people from bottom to top, the lowest being a sleepy, dreamy emotional state and the highest being a 'hands in the air' feeling. Then, chart out the song by drawing a line showing where you want the listener's feelings to be at that point in the song...

It's so difficult for me to explain. Basically, what I'm saying is, devise a plan on paper and stick to it.

If you're looking for a formula, there are many guidelines for this in the music theory chapter of The Dance Music Manual. See Amazon.com

-Heather

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Originally posted by 4am Create a "song map". Visually draw out the way you want your track to be arranged. One way to do this is in the form of a chart with the bar numbers along the bottom (like 0, 8, 16, 32) and on the left you can have emotional states you want to inspire in people from bottom to top, the lowest being a sleepy, dreamy emotional state and the highest being a 'hands in the air' feeling. Then, chart out the song by drawing a line showing where you want the listener's feelings to be at that point in the song... It's so difficult for me to explain. Basically, what I'm saying is, devise a plan on paper and stick to it. If you're looking for a formula, there are many guidelines for this in the music theory chapter of The Dance Music Manual. See Amazon.com -Heather

Thanks! That was actually very helpful, and precisely the idea I was looking to start with. Everyone else was too busy shedding their philosophy .


To everyone esle: I'm not looking for an armchair philosophy lesson in music perception. I'm simply looking for concrete and practical approaches to materializing my musical ideas in organized arrangements.

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Glad I could be of assistance! Definitely check out The Dance Music Manual if you can afford $23.00 (on amazon). Totally worth it! It has many helpful tips and is a very enjoyable read!

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Originally posted by möksha Exactly what the title says. I can get a lot of the sounds I want, but arranging and evolving them is very difficult. Where can I find insight on improving my musical arrangement? I don't mind paying if it's a very good/concise book. Thanks.

basically, the best way is to listen to your favourite tracks, and split them into sections, and analyze those sections, subsection by subsection. just listen and pay attention, and you'll be fine.