“Arranging” is the process of making choices about how a piece of music is to be performed. This can including details like groove, tempo, chord structure, signature parts, form, and instrumentation. These decisions take a general musical idea – for example, a series of chords or a basic beat – and make it specific to the song.
Producers, engineers, and session musicians make these decisions for writers and artists every day, and it’s true that those professionals are hired for their expertise and skill in making those choices. But the more definitive a songwriter/artist can be in presented the raw song, the closer the finished recording or performance will be to their initial vision.
The more musical ability and knowledge you have, the more options you have available to you and the more easily you can communicate with others. But even people with limited musical skills can articulate form and feel, when they have the right vocabulary and know what to listen for.
In these one-on-one sessions, we take a look at your songs to make sure you can present them in a way that communicates your vision for the song. This might be a lesson on how you might perform it yourself, or a preproduction session in preparation for the recording studio. Sessions may also include a basic recorded “work tape” and professional chart.
Pricing is hourly or on a per-project basis, and sessions can be conducted in Nashville or remotely over the internet. Please contact me for details!
