This book is written from a composer's point of view and is intended to be a reference book for the analysis of arranging techniques. Its aim is to help composers and arrangers improve their compositional skills as well as their understanding of various musical styles. Through a study and analysis of the scores and styles of the master composers, the author gives a broad view of the music of both the past and of the present. This allows the musician to navigate within the contemporary music scene with an essential awareness of and appreciation for all genres of music. the skills and concepts taught in this book will help the aspiring arranger harmonize melodies and write counter-melodies quickly and efficiently utilizing various combinations of instruments and voices, whether for pops orchestra, television, or recordings, according to the demands of modern commercial music.

This is a comprehensive instructional text and reference guidebook on the art and craft of jazz composition and arranging for small and large ensembles. It is written from the perspective of doing the work using music notation software, and contains many practical and valuable tips to that end for the modern jazz composer/arranger.

Orchestrating is a highly complex technique and to many, even those with academic training, a mystery fraught with a labyrinth of hazards. What is required, along with innate talent and general musicality, is the practical "know how." This is hard to achieve without actual professional experience and contact with "live" orchestras. To this end, John Cacavas contributes his extensive experience and ability with a practical approach to the practical problems of orchestrating. It is in this context most orchestrators must function, and to whom this book should be of benefit. The author has been a "musical activist" in all the varied aspects of instrumental combination from the "classical" to the "contemporary," and in the diverse application of his skills in all the media that utilize music and "orchestrations."

Arranging for the Concert Band and the separately available workbook are intended to introduce students to basic techniques of arranging for the concert band. Arranging can be divided into two separate processes. The first deals with scoring and transcribing. Scoring is concerned with such things as voicing, doubling, balance and color. The term scoring also means the actual writing of notes on the score paper. Transcribing is scoring music written for one kind of musical instrument or group -- say a piano or orchestra -- for a different kind of group. This text deals with those matters. The second part of arranging is the more creative process of writing introductions, modulations, endings, background figures and so on.

Offers advice for aspiring songwriters and artists on how to transform a song into a musical arrangement for either a single instrument or a group.

(Berklee Guide). Learn to use strings in your compositions and arrangements! From romantic chord pads to powerful grooves to gut-wrenching passionate melodies, strings do it all. This book presents time-tested techniques and contemporary developments in writing and arranging for strings. You'll learn strategies for authentic writing in many different styles and find ideas to take your personal sound forward. Discover voicings that work best for each project and explore the intricacies of bowing. Hear articulation approaches from pads to chopping in the online audio examples. See how other composers have used strings to heighten the impact of their music in the written examples. Make your work stand out with the drama and depth that well informed string writing can bring. You will learn: * The tunings, range, and timbres for the violin, viola, cello, and bass, including standard instruments and common variations, including acoustic, electric, and synthesized string instruments and sections * Bowing techniques and possibilities * Characteristic articulations and sounds, such as vibrato, pizzicato, sul tasto, trills, tremolos, and harmonics * Timbral and rhythm effects, such as chop technique, ponticello/feedback, portamento, and falls * String-section arranging techniques, such as melody/countermelody, fills, pads, and comping * Stylistic nuances of genres such as American roots, Celtic, jazz, rock, klezmer, eastern European, Gypsy jazz, and swing * Mic, recording, and live sound techniques for capturing the best string sounds for both acoustic and electric instruments

As in the earlier editions, the emphasis is on the practical fundamentals of orchestration. The Sixth Edition has been expanded and revised to reflect new developments in instruments and orchestral practice, and a new listening compact disc has been added that contains selected examples of orchestration.