Arranging a Song/Arranging in GarageBand
When you arrange a song, you take the original song and change aspects of it to make it different.
Things to Think about when Arranging:
Copyright Law is very complex! Basically, while you are free to create a new arrangement of an existing song, generally speaking you cannot commercially exploit that arrangement (e.g., on records, sheet music, etc.) without a license from the music publisher, or other copyright owner.
Public Domain means that the work is free to use for all. However, public domain can vary from country to country. If you google "copyright protection chart," it will describe the very complex details of copyright. To check if a song is in public domain, search for it here.
What to Alter:
- Instrumentation
- Key
- Melody
- Countermelody
- Harmony (add a key change)
- Chord structure
- Form (add an intro, take away parts,
- Style
- Tempo
- Dynamics
- Lyrics
LISTEN!
Listen to the following originals and arrangements/covers?
DISCUSS!
What was different about the cover? Was it effective? Did it improve the song or do you like the original better?
SONG ORIGINAL ARRANGEMENT
Come On Eileen: Dexys Midnight Runners Save Ferris
Nothing Compares 2 U: Prince Sinead O'Connor
Hound Dog: Big Mama Thornton Elvis Presley
I Will Always Love You: Dolly Parton Whitney Houston
When I'm Gone: Charlie Monroe Lulu and the Lampshades Cups Song
Transcription Versus Arrangement:
Transcription: rewriting a piece of music for different a instrument(s) than it was intended - MORE like the original than an arrangement
Arrangement: changing significant aspects of the piece.
A transcription could refer to writing down music that has not yet been notated.
Things to Think about when Arranging:
Copyright Law is very complex! Basically, while you are free to create a new arrangement of an existing song, generally speaking you cannot commercially exploit that arrangement (e.g., on records, sheet music, etc.) without a license from the music publisher, or other copyright owner.
Public Domain means that the work is free to use for all. However, public domain can vary from country to country. If you google "copyright protection chart," it will describe the very complex details of copyright. To check if a song is in public domain, search for it here.
What to Alter:
- Instrumentation
- Key
- Melody
- Countermelody
- Harmony (add a key change)
- Chord structure
- Form (add an intro, take away parts,
- Style
- Tempo
- Dynamics
- Lyrics
LISTEN!
Listen to the following originals and arrangements/covers?
DISCUSS!
What was different about the cover? Was it effective? Did it improve the song or do you like the original better?
SONG ORIGINAL ARRANGEMENT
Come On Eileen: Dexys Midnight Runners Save Ferris
Nothing Compares 2 U: Prince Sinead O'Connor
Hound Dog: Big Mama Thornton Elvis Presley
I Will Always Love You: Dolly Parton Whitney Houston
When I'm Gone: Charlie Monroe Lulu and the Lampshades Cups Song
Transcription Versus Arrangement:
Transcription: rewriting a piece of music for different a instrument(s) than it was intended - MORE like the original than an arrangement
Arrangement: changing significant aspects of the piece.
A transcription could refer to writing down music that has not yet been notated.