Arranging – The Most Important Step!

Arrange = “A Range”
As in: “find A Range to play in that does not clash with a vocal or another instrument!”

Pick ANY great song that has withstood the test of time.

Then, intently listen to its arrangement.

Listen for how much frequency “space” they gave to the lead vocal.

The musicians and producers on that track were all paying a LOT of attention to that arrangement –

They all made sure that the instruments were staying out of the way of the lead vocal.
( “Not stepping on”; or… “Not walking on”…the lead vocal, as some would say!!)

Session players have often helped with the arrangements of songs they were hired to play on, as they
instinctively know how to stay out of the way of the lead vocal!

Listen to your lead vocal and the notes being sung.
Musically, are you staying out of that vocalist’s range?

So you think that you just have to play “that one particular chord” during the lead vocal?
Then – try an inversion of that chord so that it opens up some space for that all-important vocal part!

…or lead instrument part…

When you notice an instrument or vocal is getting masked, then go about figuring out which other instrument is doing the masking and arrange that part to better fit the song!

Arranging a song – the act of arranging itself - takes some work!

But it will pay off BIG for you in the end – and reward you with a much better song!!!