Vision Music

BarbNY · Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 29 Location: NY

Does anybody out there have any practical tips on writing a chord-melody arrangement? I've been working on a few tunes, but still feel like I'm not on the right track. Obviously, some songs are easier to deal with than others, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Dave Illig · Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 67 Location: Houston, TX

I think the easiest way would be to pay Mark to do the arrangement. Very Happy

Seriously, the vast possibilities on how to reharmonize tunes makes it challenging.

Dave
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BarbNY · Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 29 Location: NY

Mark · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 12:38 am Post subject:

BarbNY · Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 29 Location: NY

woland99 · Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 155 Location: Austin, TX

BarbNY · Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 29 Location: NY

Mark · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:31 pm Post subject:

BarbNY · Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 29 Location: NY

Mark's Advice:

"For instance, let's say that you decide to arrange a classic standard, like Misty to name one of countless possibilities. The very second that you come up with even one combination of a melody note with a chord voicing that sounds appealing, well... you just made a valuable deposit into your chord-melody "bank account." Why is it so valuable? Because rest assured that the next time a similar harmonic challenge arises (i.e. same melody and chord relationship), you've already got the $$ there. You simply make a withdrawal, but the great thing is that it stays in there collecting interest. "

Thanks, Mark. I did exactly as you suggested, and after only 2 days of concentrated effort (at least 15 minutes each day), I've been very pleased with my progress. Just as you said, as I came up with a successful voicing in one situation, I found it useful when facing a similar harmony later on in the song. There is no getting away from it: we just have to do the work and put in the time to see results. I know that the next time I sit down to continue my arrangement, my attitude will be a positive one, based on my earlier success. Inspiration just breeds more inspiration! Thanks, again.

Barbara

Don Mitchell · Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Portland, Oregon

Let me start off by qualifying my advice to fingerstyle arrangements only. While chordmelody work can be done with plectrum, I feel it limits the single most important constituent of solo guitar--namely rhythm--as to be uninteresting to me.

When I first started arranging, I was obsessed with reharmonization. It's an easy trap to fall into since the more complex harmony of jazz was one of the main things that drew me to the genre. And it can easily substitute for what can often be the more difficult and challenging aspect of solo guitar: swing, latin or rock groove. So, my first advice is to get your fingerstyle chops together, especially with respect rhythm.

If you can get some video of Joe Pass, you'll be surprised to see that the chords he played were pretty generic, standard grips--no Allan Holdsworth finger-torture stuff. And his reharmonizations weren't all that adventuresome; some occasional flat five subs, but mostly back-cycling or dominant subs for minors. What made Pass's playing so wonderful was it swung!

Try doing an arrangement of a standard that already has interesting changes so you don't have to worry about spicing it up with extensive reharmonization, and just focus on making it swing, and emphasizing the melody.

Another rule to follow is arrange in "guitar friendly" keys so as to utilize open bass strings, you know, E, C, G, A, D.

I've got plenty more advice, since it's probably my biggest passion related to guitar, but I'll save it for later.

Don
www.donmitchell.us
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Jokron · Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

Mark · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 8:33 am Post subject: Tip: Arrange Intros & Endings

Hi! I was just reading some of these posts from over a year ago. What a shame that there isn't more activity happening over here Sad

, because this is such a rich area and a great way to evolve as a chordal thinker, whether you're playing solo guitar, rhythm guitar, ensemble jazz chord solos a la Wes, or anything in between.

Without citing any one particular standard (there are countless, and each could warrant its own discussion), one thing I would highly recommend is to spend time on a regular basis arranging intros and endings, because you can apply the results to so many tunes and playing situations.

With that in mind, I'm presently working on a new "Cool Chords" lesson series for my students, and part of the thrust is using standard turnaround formulas (e.g. I-IV-II-V and subs) to explore the numerous harmonic possibilities and chord voicings. All for now...

- Mark
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nylenny · Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 291

I have a few ideas I use from time to time:

Hold common tones between chords and move others to the closest tone in the next chord. If both chords are seventh chords and common to a tonal center, they will have at least one common tone. You can find lots of great sounding chord sequences using this method.

Write a logical bass line. If there are appealing melody notes and a decent bass line, chances are that it sounds OK. I learned this from traditional harmony -- the ear focuses on outside voices.

Focus on guide tones (3rds and 7ths). If chords are moving in 4ths, you often can get these to move in seconds. Sometimes, all you need is the guide tone to imply the harmony, which is refreshing for the ear.

Vary textures on repeats or phrases.