A music arranger organizes or lays out a piece of music for a specific group of musicians to perform. An arranger does not compose new music; rather, he or she finds new ways to perform existing pieces. He works in a variety of settings and composes musical arrangements for a wide range of musical ensembles.
A strong musical background is required to work as a music arranger. These musicians must have a thorough understanding of not only how to read and write music, but also how the various instruments interact with one another. They must know how to arrange the pitches and volumes of different instruments so that the melodies and harmonies can shine. While some arrangers have natural talent, the majority have received some classical training, either through private lessons or formal music education, or both.
Arranging is similar to orchestration and is sometimes confused with it. Orchestration is the process of arranging a piece of music for a specific group of instruments. Arranging differs from other types of music in that it allows for some creativity in the composition. Harmonies and themes can be tweaked, rhythms can be changed, new endings can be written, and the piece can even be mixed with another for a “mash-up.”
Arrangements are possible for a wide range of musical genres. Arranging is used in a variety of genres, including classical, popular, and jazz music. Jazz musicians may borrow tunes from popular music, and popular music may borrow from classical music. The Beatles’ upbeat pop song “With a Little Help From My Friends” is a well-known example of this. Just a few years later, a music arranger reworked the song into a much more soulful version, which was performed by singer Joe Cocker. The two songs are the same song with completely different rhythms and patterns, which is known as a cover song.
Some arrangers work for music publishers, creating sheet music for single instruments or groups of instruments. A music arranger can also work with larger ensembles, such as marching bands or orchestras, to create arrangements for musical pieces. This is sometimes a canned process, in which a generic arrangement is created and mass-produced that should work for the majority of bands. Arrangers may also work one-on-one with a group to create a unique piece of music. This is especially useful when dealing with a band that uses unconventional methods or is competing in a competition, such as a drum corps competition, where originality is required.