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Music Arranger

A composer creates musical compositions for films, plays, television, concerts and operas. Composers may specialise in one type of music or in compositions for particular instruments. They may write lyrics to accompany the music. Composers write new and rearrange existing musical compositions such as Future Growth Static songs, operas, symphonies, musical scores, and advertising jingles.

Music composers write and arrange instrumental and vocal music for performance by orchestras, choirs, bands, and other musical groups.

Most composers specialize in creating music for performance by a particular type of group or performer. For example, some composers specialize in writing jazz, classical, or rock music. Composers who write for the stage may specialize in operas, musicals, plays, or other productions. Other composers write music for television or film productions.

Many composers write their music with the help of instruments, but it's becoming increasingly common for composers to use computer software to write music. One big advantage of using software is that composers are able to hear exactly what their music will sound like before it's played by musicians.

Some composers (including some who write rock and jazz music) are also performers. They play the songs themselves, both on stage and in recording studios.

Many record companies hire composers to write music for their performing artists. Much of the music that you hear on top 40 radio stations was written by composers, and not the artists performing the songs.

Creating music is a very creative process, and not all composers are able to adjust well to the demands of music as a business. In some cases, composers are expected to churn out music as if it was on an assembly line, and they have to complete their compositions on very tight deadlines.

Composers normally work alone, and need to be able to set their schedules independently. This can be a lonely occupation at times, though it can also be very rewarding.

Writing Score

Specialisations: Music Arranger, Songwriter

Knowledge, skills and attributes

musical skills
stamina to perform at peak level
self-confidence, motivation, dedication and determination
good communication skills
able to concentrate for long periods
mastery of one or more styles of music such as classical, jazz or pop
flair for entertainment

Duties and Tasks

Responsibilities for music composer jobs include:

Determining the types of instruments and voices needed to achieve the intended effects of a composition - determine elements including voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms and tempos required for the optimal musical composition
Experiment with different sounds, and types and pieces of music
Transcribing created music into musical notation, either by hand or with the assistance of software.
Practice with musical instruments or computers to compose, orchestrate, and arrange music
Guiding musicians during practices and rehearsals.
Working with directors and producers to write scores for film and television.
Creates melodic, harmonic and rhythmic structures to express ideas and emotions in musical form - use music theory to create musical and tonal arrangements, including harmonies and melodies
Translates ideas and concepts into standard musical signs and symbols for reproduction and performance.
Undertakes research and liaises with clients when composing musical backing for television commercials, popular recordings, and productions across radio, television and film - discuss requirements with film directors, TV producers, theatre directors or other clients.

Education and training/entrance requirements

Composer's office equipment You need a high level of skill in your chosen musical field to work as a Composer. Formal qualifications might be useful but aren't essential. Composers often have university qualifications.

Music composers come from all sorts of academic backgrounds. Some composers are self-taught, and learn their craft through practice and individual study. Others study music in college, and earn a bachelor's or master's degree.

Most music composers begin their training when they are children, when they learn to sing or play an instrument. They continue to play throughout their lives, and eventually learn to write their own music.

Though it isn't necessarily required, formal education can be extremely beneficial to those who want to pursue a career in this field. These programs teach students about musical theory, composing techniques, and music history.

As with most occupations in the entertainment industry, formal education isn't as important as how good you are and who you know. Having the ability to write great music and friends who can help you succeed is much more critical to success than a degree from a school.

Composers who write popular music usually get their start by meeting others in the industry and making business connections, but they are sometimes able to find work by submitting records of their compositions to studios and singers. Most composers who create popular music are represented by an agent who helps them find work.

Did You Know?

Watch this fun video about Tchaikovsky and list the "Did You Know" facts given!
(Source: Classic FM)

An arranger reimagines an existing composition, adapting the instruments, voices, rhythms, and tempo to create a new sound for a piece of music. Arrangers help finish, rework, and adapt preexisting compositions by altering elements such as instrumentation, orchestration, harmony, tempo, and genre. Future Growth Static

While most arrangements aim to preserve the melody, lyrics, and formal structures of a piece, there's still a tremendous amount of creative freedom and self-expression within an arranger's work. For example, arrangers might come up with new chords to use as a base for the melody, strip down or build up the instrumentation, adapt for a completely different instrumentation style (e.g. change rock instrumentation to classical instrumentation), slow down or speed up the tempo, add electronic elements inspired by the original composition, write a new introduction or ending, or add entirely new vocal or instrumental harmonies. Ultimately, an arranger can wind up having just as much impact on the composition as the original composer or songwriter.

A music arranger transcribes musical compositions or melodic lines to adapt and modify them for particular performance formats, such as orchestras, bands, choral groups or solo performance.

The primary role of a music arranger is to arrange a piece of music based on the needs or requirements of a performer, a group of performers, a conductor, producer or music director. The arranger makes sure that every aspect of a music piece is well harmonized, from the instruments down to the tempo. The music that an arranger works on may either be an original or an already existing music piece.

The best time to involve an arranger is early on after the music and lyrics are written, but before the structure of the song is locked in. A music arranger is fine with a stripped down version of the song, all an arranger needs is a simple melody, perhaps a voice with a guitar or piano.

Music Arranger
(Source: UDiscoverMusic)

ANZSCO ID: 2112

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Arrangers generally know how to play several instruments, have a good grasp of music theory, ability to read and write music, ability to transpose and transcribe, and a strong background in orchestration, harmony, and composition. A good arranger must be original, creative, and adaptive.

Good arrangers must be able to work well with others in a collaborative manner. Often, the artist, producer or music director sets certain guidelines on how a composition or song should be treated. A good arranger is one who listens and works within these guidelines but is also able to make adjustments that will make the piece more effective.

Deep understanding of musical styles
Reading and writing music
Music theory
DAWs and software libraries
Transcription
Orchestration
Conducting
Verbal communication
Leadership
Networking

Interpersonal Skills: Arranging is a highly collaborative art, well-suited to musicians who have a strong vision and who relish working with composers, producers, and players in order to reinvent compositions. As is the case for all professional musicians, the ability to network is a major asset for arrangers.

Music Arranger
(Source: Keyboard Kraze)

Duties and Tasks

Arrange music composed by others.
Compose original music for use in operas, theater, or symphonies.
Incorporate rhythm, temp, tone, and harmony to balance piece.
Adapt musical composition for orchestra, band, choral group, or individual.
Transcribe musical parts from score created by arranger or orchestrator.
Rewrite original music scores for modern times.
Transcribe ideas for musical compositions into musical notation.
Meet with directors and producers to synthesize ideas.
Copy parts from scores and delegate to performers.
Direct musicians during rehearsals.
Transcribe music from one voice or instrument to another.
Utilize different sounds such as keyboards or synthesizers to create desired effect.
Read over scripts to imagine how scores would fit within the scenes.
Organize, direct, and supervise band or orchestra.
Manage all musical projects.
Teach vocals to singers.
Assist artistic director and creative team.
Use computer software to make revisions to musical composition.

Working conditions

Arrangers work in a number of professional industries, including live music, musical theater, the record industry, and film and TV. Many combine arranging with another skill. For example, arranger-bandleaders adapt existing compositions to develop pieces for their own ensemble; arranger-producers create new studio arrangements based on their overarching vision for the recording; and music preparation specialists use arranging in combination with proofreading and orchestration skills to become one-stop shops for music preparation.

You can run your own studio and can earn a decent living as a music arranger. Aside from the possibility of being a lucrative career, it is also quite rewarding, especially if you love working with people and bringing their music to life. Often, arrangers gain clients by word of mouth, so always treat everyone with respect and each project with professionalism. Arrangers work on various projects from demos to film scores.

Arrangers work for a wide variety of people and groups, including producers, composers, artists, and publishing companies. Additionally, they can find work in an equally large range of industries, including the record industry, music publishing, musical theater, live music, and film and TV.

Because arranging is mainly a freelance endeavor, and jobs are obtained through word of mouth, building a portfolio of good work and developing relationships with musicians, composers, and producers is necessary for success.

Arrangers generally set their own hours, although those who work in certain industries (e.g. film) can have tight deadlines. One of the benefits of being an arranger, like being a composer, is that most networking opportunities take place in the form of concerts, performances, and other music-related activities.

Tools and technologies

Many music arrangers today have their own music studios equipped with necessary tools of the trade including various musical instruments, synthesizers, computers, plug-ins, software, mixers, and microphones. The equipment used usually depends on the arranger's forte and clientele.

Education and training/entrance requirements

In such a creative field, there's far more than one path to become an arranger. One arranger might make a living by adapting existing songs for new stage or film musicals; another might be a bandleader who crafts new arrangements for her ensemble to play; and another might specialize in creating new arrangements of popular songs for the film and TV industry, so that studios can avoid paying for the rights to expensive recordings.

Arrangers might also work as orchestrators, conductors, bandleaders, music directors, instrumental performers, record producers, and event producers. These positions represent the larger musical community to which arrangers belong, and within which they must network and collaborate if they wish to succeed.

Employment Opportunities

People with these skills may proceed to a number of jobs, including music teacher, music director, conductor or record producer.

Music Arranger Vocalist
(Source: Vocalist UK)