A CAPPELLA ARRANGING

TIPS & TRICKSTom Paster &

Highlands Voices

pastert@northernhighlands.org

Should you arrange for your group?

……. YES!

Why the HELL do I want to do that???!!!???

• You went to school for music so YES, you have the skills!

• You can pick any song to perform and not limit your group to what is

already available, in other words “what everyone else is doing.”

• Even if you perform the same song as another group, your

arrangement will be unique.

• You are not arranging for SATB, you are arranging for

Lisa, Sarah, Michael, Ben, etc.

• It will help you rearrange other peoples arrangements to

better fit your group.

1. Pick a song … or songs• What would sound good with your group?

Know you group members

Highlight your strengths

Hide your weaknesses

• Are you sending a message or telling a story? What subject matter do you want to avoid?

• Avoid “I like this tune so we’re going to do it”

• Involve the students in the selection process.

HAVE A PROCESS TO FOLLOW

2. Look for sheet music...

If no sheet music, look for chords

www.musicnotes.com

www.sheetmusicplus.com (license/publish your arrangement)

Google

YouTube

3. Choose type of arrangement• Lift arrangement

• Deconstructed arrangement

• Combo arrangement

Lift - Ain’t Got Far To Go by Jess Glynne

Deconstructed - Kiss by Prince

Combo – What About Us by Pink

4. Map out your arrangement. • Will you cut anything? Add anything?

Cut/Add intro – Gave Me Something by Jess Glynne

• Overlap anything? Leave Me Lonely by Ariana Grande & Macy Gray

• Mash-up v. Medley

• Vary Rhythmic Textures Close Your Eyes p. 5

• Every song sends a message, what’s yours? Wolf At Your Door by Chloe x Halle

Colour by MNEK & Hailee Steinfeld

5. Do you want to highlight

something interesting?

• Insane Vocal Solo Moment Leave Me Lonely by Ariana Grande & Macy Gray

• Funky Bass Part

• VP Solo Close Your Eyes by Kim Petras

6. Reuse

Material

Creatively

Demons/Secrets

Mash-up

Demons by Imagine Dragons

Secrets by One Republic

Opening Bridge

Putting it all together• Close Your Eyes by Kim Petras1. Pick a song – We were looking for a song like Thriller but not Thriller

Get down melody and bass first (if doing by ear don’t worry about accuracy)

2. Sheet Music - No sheet music available, found lyrics/chords on Google

3. Type of Arrangement – Lift arrangement, Comp set finale.

4. Arrangement Map

I. Make it a duet, each soloist gets a verse and chorus.

Both soloists sing together on last chorus (solo/riff style)

II. Message, Dark and scary

III. Rhythmic texture - As if someone is chasing you

5. Highlight something interesting – VP battle in Bridge

6. Reuse Material Creatively – Reuse chorus with an added harmonic

layer for chorus each time it returns

Putting it all togetherLeave Me Lonely by Ariana Grande & Macy Gray1. Pick a song – Looking for a toxic relationship song, Middle song of comp set

2. Sheet Music - No sheet music available, found lyrics/chords on Google

3. Type of Arrangement – Lift arrangement (except for bridge)

4. Arrangement Map

I. Duet, Boone sings Macy Gray part, one sings Ariana Grande part

II. Overlay the two solo parts in final chorus

III. Message, I love you but you’re no good for me

5. Highlight something interesting – Highlight soloist in bridge

6. Reuse Material Creatively – Repeat Macy Gray section

with an added harmonic and rhythmic layer