[Music Arranging Services]

 What is Arranging?

The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz has probably the most descriptive definition of arrangement, "The reworking or recomposing of a musical composition or some part of it (such as the melody) for a medium or ensemble other than that of the original; also the resulting version of the piece." However, it's interesting to note that often in popular music, creating an orchestral version of a piece is considered synonymous with that of making an arrangement, although it is more correct to say that arrangement generally incorporates orchestration. The compositional creativity required from an arranger has been effectively pointed out by the prolific arranger Sammy Nestico who once said that "the arranger must be an orchestrator since his music must be written for the orchestra at hand, and a composer in the areas where he can be inventive."

A skillful arranger can add a multitude of great new aspects to a piece. He/she may add a new introduction or other instrumental sections; provide a completely different instrumentation; change the chords to add a different harmonic color; add countermelodies where appropriate; change the rhythm of the melody and/or the accompaniment; change the dynamics and general emotional impact of the piece. In short, an arranger can create a completely different version of a piece or song from the original one. One way to grasp the wonderful art of arranging is to do a quick search on YouTube or iTunes Store for a specific song. For example, if you look for Queen's "Who Wants to Live Forever", you will discover a great deal of interesting and varied arrangements by many artists, including Katherine Jenkins, Sarah Brightman, London Symphony, David Garrett, Elaine Page, The Ten Tenors, Joseph Clark, etc.

 Choosing an Arranger

When soliciting the services of an arranger, you should consider the same essential abilities a professional orchestrator possesses. The prospective arranger should be able to provide extensive samples of his previous work. Please visit the Music Orchestration Services page for more information.

  Our Music Arranging Services

Similarly to orchestration, arranging services are required by diverse clients, including composers, singers, bands, and even by non-musicians for various occasions such as corporate events, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. Whatever is your purpose for commissioning a new arrangement of a song or instrumental piece, we will meticulously collaborate with you to achieve the adaptation your music deserves. Our company's objective is to provide you with an arrangement that is absolutely suitable for your concert, recording or special event. You are invited to contact us for a free consultation to discuss your next arranging concept, and to map out an initial project plan. Our music arranging services include:

• • Any combination of instruments and ensembles, including contemporary instruments such as drums set, electric guitar, etc.
  • In most musical styles, whether popular or classical
  • Customer receives via email (or online delivery service) the score and parts in Pdf format for backup and printing
  • Customer receives a rough demo or, if requested, a professionally produced recording

 Arranging Example

The example is an instrumental arrangement of ABBA's electro-disco song "Lay All Your Love on Me", arranged and produced by Samy Elgazzar. The arrangement is written for a rhythm section (acoustic piano, drums, percussion, 2 electric guitars, and electric bass), solo violin, symphony orchestra and choir. The arrangement begins with a production device where a person is going up the stairs, opens a door, and steps into a night club, while the piano and strings perform the main melody of the song. Here are a few arranging features that you may want to observe as you aurally compare the instrumental version and the original song:

• • In many of the choruses, a choir is added to give the effect of an hymn or a church congregation (at 0'20, 2'35)
  • Different piano riffs and arpeggios replaced the original synth parts (at 0'35, 1'05, 2'35)
  • Rhythmic plucked strings (pizzicati) replaced the original synth parts (at 0'44)
  • The descending vocal glide (glisssando) at the end of each verse is replaced by a rich sounding slide on the piano (at 1'20)
  • Rhythmic strings with accented bowings (marcati) replaced the voice and synth parts (at 2'58)
  • The piano countermelody was altered to sound more like a Baroque melody (at 4'07)
  • A second contrapuntal melody on the violin is added to the aforementioned piano countermelody (at 4'22)

A. Instrumental version

B. Original version

YouTube Video

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