This article will discuss the best books on music arrangement in 2023 for various genres and styles.
The music arrangement adapts a piece of Music for a specific ensemble or instrumentation. It involves deciding which instruments will play which parts and any necessary changes to the original composition melody, harmony, rhythm, or form.
Music arrangement can be a valuable tool for songwriting, as it allows a songwriter to experiment with different instrumentations and arrangements to see how they affect the overall sound and feel of a piece of Music. By arranging a song in different ways, a songwriter can better understand how the various elements of a song create a particular emotional effect.
Music arrangement can also help a songwriter to better communicate their musical ideas to other musicians and producers by providing a clear and detailed plan for how they should perform a song. That be especially helpful when working with other musicians and producers who may need to become more familiar with the songwriter’s style or vision.
Studying music arrangement using books can be a valuable way to learn the craft. Many books available on the subject can provide a comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of music arrangement. We have created a list of the best books for arranging Music. So let’s dive right into it.
Top 14 Books On Arranging Music 2023 (Various Genres)
1. Song Arrangement for the Small Recording Studio For Mr. Amos P Clarke
Song Arrangement for the Small Recording Studio is a book by Mr. Amos P Clarke that covers many techniques, principles, and rules for creating great song arrangements.
It focuses on the importance of establishing lead elements in a song and their impact on song listenability. It also discusses the principle of arranging musical pieces based on their tonal character and how careful placement in the panoramic soundstage can ‘open up a mix,’ providing incredible depth and clarity.
Key Features:
- Well-structured text
The book offers a concise explanation of the elements of a song, as well as practical tips and techniques for creating excellent song arrangements. The book also includes application summaries and “homework” at the end of each chapter, making it an excellent reference book for learning the principles of song arrangement. - Critically approved
The book is highly praised by readers and critics alike, making it an excellent choice for those looking to learn the basics of song arrangement. It has a 4.5/5 rating on Amazon, with 70%+ being five-star ratings. - Expansive Content
The book starts by answering what a song arrangement is and why it is important and then discusses a Formula for it. Further, it has chapters named Dynamic, Transitions, Builds, Grooves, The Hook, Tempo and Duration, Clarity and Definition, and more. This content helps you get a great perspective on arranging your Music. - Experienced Author
The book’s author has about twenty years of experience as a songwriter, producer, mix engineer, and performer. He has put all his learnings and knowledge in this 140-page book and segregated them into 36 songwriting tips.
Good For:
The book is perfect for songwriters, producers, audio engineers, and anyone who wants to learn about song arrangement in detail, no matter their level of experience. Its focus is on small recording studios, which makes it accessible and valuable for many bedroom producers, DIY and indie musicians, self-learning audio engineers, sound designers, etc.
2. Arranging: A Beginner’s Guide By Blake R. Henson
Arranging: A Beginner’s Guide is a book by Blake R. Henson and Gerald Custer.
It provides step-by-step instructions and exercises to rework an existing musical piece or song and create a functional and high-quality arrangement that is up to the mark and stands out. It also includes helpful tips, examples, and exercises to try and adapt.
Key Features:
- Great exercises
The book contains various exercises and tips for arranging Music for choirs and other ensembles. The activities included in the book help learners understand the process of putting a piece of Music, from reconfiguring it to fit the requirements of the ensemble to translating ideas into practical, performable Music and more. - Comprehensive Content
The book covers topics such as writing descants, transforming a piano part into an arrangement for a band or strings, extending a hymn into an anthem with an introduction, interludes, and coda, and creating within copyright law. - Renowned Authors
Blake Henson is a knowledgeable and well-known academician of music theory and arrangement and has been awarded several commissions from instrumental and choral ensembles of various styles. Gerald Custer is a Grammy-nominated, award-winning music composer and arranger with 90+ print and CD publications. He teaches music theory and composition at Wayne State University in Detroit. - Interesting writing style
The authors, Blake Henson and Gerald Custer, provide ideas, examples, and exercises to try and adapt. The book is grounded in the belief that arranging is a necessary skill and relatively easy to learn and master. The book is designed to make the arranging process simple and fun, with helpful tips and humor for insight.
Good For:
The book is written for conductors, church musicians, teachers, and students at all levels. It provides insight on how to reconfigure a piece to fit your choral circumstances, translate your ideas into practical, performable Music, turn a solo song into a choral work, and more.
3. Arranging Songs: How to Put the Parts Together By Rikky Rooksby
Arranging Songs: How to Put the Parts Together is a book by Rikky Rooksby, a talented songwriter, composer, guitar teacher, and writer of popular Music.
The book is an essential manual of techniques for arranging, recording, or programming a song. It discusses concepts such as layering instruments thoroughly, doing multi-instrument tracking, artistically putting together parts, mixing well, and creating unusual arrangements using standard techniques.
Key Features:
- Simple writing style
The book is written in a straightforward and easy-to-understand style, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced musicians. Hence, no matter your skill level, the book will likely be useful to you. - Accessible information
It also contains helpful tips and advice to help you become more proficient in arranging songs. The accompanying CD illustrates all of the techniques presented in the book. - Covers various genres
Arranging Songs: How to Put the Parts Together by Rikky Rooksby teaches techniques for organizing all kinds of Music, from pop, rock, and jazz, to classical, gospel, and folk. That expands your horizon as a reader, songwriter, and music composer. - Comprehensive Content
It outlines the process of arranging a piece of Music, from reconfiguring it to fit the requirements of the ensemble to translating ideas into practical, performable Music and more. It also covers writing descants, transforming a piano part into an arrangement for a band or strings. - Covers various instruments
The book has chapters dedicated to arranging songs with an acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboards, bass, and drums and adding effects to your sounds. This 180-page book gives you a basic idea of arranging instruments in a song.
Good For:
The book is excellent for music producers, bands, A&Rs, audio engineers, songwriters, and other music professionals who are in the songwriting process. Also, it focuses on guitars and guitar-based arrangements, whether electronic or acoustic; hence it’s pretty valid for guitarists and bass players as well.
4. Arranging for Solo Guitar: The Queen Titles By Edgar Cruz
“Arranging for Solo Guitar: The Queen Titles” is a book by Edgar Cruz that focuses on teaching you how to arrange popular songs by the band Queen for solo guitar.
The book is part of a series of instructional books by Cruz that focus on teaching guitar arrangements of popular songs. It includes detailed explanations of the techniques used, sheet music and standard notation of each meeting, and tips on making the arrangements sound like the original recordings.
Key Features:
- Detailed explanations of the techniques used
The book provides in-depth explanations of the techniques used in each arrangement, including chord voicings, fingerpicking patterns, and strumming techniques. That lets you understand how each account is put together and how to replicate the structures independently. - Sheet music and standard notation
The book includes sheet music and standard notation for each arrangement, allowing you to follow along with the book and learn the arrangements. - Tips on how to make the arrangements sound like the original recordings
Cruz provides tips and tricks on creating the right tone and dynamics. This information is beneficial, as having dynamic sections in your arrangements decides the emotional grasp of your Music. - Arrangements of popular songs by Queen
The book includes arrangements of popular songs by Queen, such as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Somebody to Love,” and “We Are the Champions.” These are iconic songs and are significant study cases for you if you are interested in songwriting. - Intended for intermediate to advanced guitar players
The book is intended for intermediate to advanced guitar players who want to learn how to arrange popular songs for solo guitar. It is not an absolute beginner’s guide, and the author assumes you have some basic knowledge of guitar playing.
Good For:
The book is great for all guitar players as it gives a roadmap to the arrangement style of one of the most iconic bands, Queen. Overall, “Arranging for Solo Guitar: The Queen Titles” is a comprehensive book that provides guitar players with the tools they need to arrange popular songs by Queen for solo guitar.
5. Arranging for Strings By Mimi Rabson
Arranging for Strings by Mimi Rabson is an excellent book for experienced and aspiring string arrangers.
Arranging for strings refers to adapting a piece of Music originally written for one instrument or ensemble to be played by a string ensemble. That can involve re-orchestrating the piece to take advantage of the unique characteristics of the string instruments, such as their ability to play legato (smoothly) or staccato (short, detached notes), and adjusting the harmony and counterpoint to suit the range and tone color of the string instruments.
The book covers various topics, including the tunings, range, and timbres of the violin, viola, cello, and bass, as well as bowing techniques, articulations, and sounds. It also explains various methods for arranging string instruments.
Key Features:
- Covers various styles
The book provides stylistic nuances of various genres, including American roots, rock, Celtic, klezmer, jazz, Gypsy jazz, eastern European, and swing. That lets you explore all these different music styles and apply the book to your specific genre. - Ease of access
The book includes live sound and miking techniques for capturing the best string sounds for both acoustic and electric instruments. It also comes with an audio companion, which provides examples of different articulations and sounds. - Great for music programmers
The text explains little nuances of string instruments, like tuning, range, timbre, blowing techniques, articulations, standard techniques like trill, vibrato, staccato, tremolo, mute, etc.. It covers their chops, ponticello/feedback, portamento, and falls. That lets you understand the instruments better. You can also use this information while programming your orchestration and string arrangement on Kontakt or other virtual instruments. - Comprehensive Content
The book covers various approaches, including Hip-hop, Charanga, Eastern Europe, etc., that lets you apply the arrangement principles to any song or genre you’re working on. The applications and treatment of strings differ in a hip-hop song compared to a rock song, and the text helps you understand that. - Experienced Author
Mimi Rabson is a first-class instrumentalist specializing in the violin and viola. She is the leader of the “Really Eclectic String Quartet,” a member of various other well-known music organizations/groups, a composer, and has recorded and toured with different artists. She is also a jazz musician and has dubbed a “music powerhouse” by WGBH and a “dazzling violin phenom” by The Boston Globe. She is the author of “Berklee Practice Method: Cello” and has appeared in “A Prairie Home Companion.” - Berklee Press
Berklee Press, the publisher of this book, is the official publisher of music instruction books and videos based on Berklee College of Music’s renowned teaching methods and curriculum. Berklee is one of the most well-respected music educational institutes in the world.
Good For:
Arranging for Strings by Mimi Rabson is for anyone who wants to learn to use strings in their compositions and arrangements. This book provides time-tested techniques and contemporary developments in writing and arranging for strings.
You’ll learn strategies for authentic writing in many different styles, discover voicings that work best for each project, and explore the intricacies of various playing approaches, from pads to chopping. You’ll also find ideas to take your sound forward and make your work stand out with the drama and depth that well-informed string writing can bring.
6. Arranging for Horns By Jerry Gates
Arranging for Horns by Jerry Gates is an excellent resource for musicians of all levels looking to develop their understanding of writing for and arranging a horn section.
Horn arrangements include instruments like trumpet, trombone, and saxophone, usually played by a band or orchestra and typically play the harmony parts, which helps add depth and richness to the overall sound. They can play in various musical genres, including jazz, blues, rock, funk, and classical.
The book discusses arranging the horn sections in great detail, so you can get the best results from recording, setting, or programming horns. It also comes with an online audio package, providing examples of the concepts discussed in the book.
Key Features:
- Well-structured content
The book is packed with helpful information and tips, allowing you to gain a comprehensive grounding in the topic. The book is divided into three main sections: “Arranging for Horns,” “Contour Analysis of an Arrangement,” and “Overview.” - Arranging for the Horns section
In the “Arranging for Horns” section, Jerry Gates speaks about his experiences as an arranger, orchestrator, and composer and offers insight into the process of arranging for horns. - Contour Analysis
The “Contour Analysis of an Arrangement” section provides a detailed analysis of an arrangement, giving you a better understanding of the techniques used. - Great final section
In the “Overview” section, the author covers topics such as writing for synth horns, common mistakes novice arrangers make, what makes a piece of music “tick,” and c,” considerations when selecting instrumentation for your horn section. - Renowned Author
Jerry Gates is a teacher, music composer, and bass player who has been in the music industry for over thirty-five years. He has credits in radio and TV, including Scope mouthwash, Bank of America, Marlboro cigarettes, Log Cabin maple syrup, and Music preparation for “The Dennis Miller Show” and film composers Jack Smalley and Richard Band. He is also a Berklee College of Music professor, teaching various arrangement and composition-related classes. - Discusses Horns in detail
The book discusses everything from the saxophone’s agility and speed to the trumpets and trombones’ power. In addition, it also discusses the roles of different instruments in horn arrangement, coupling, triads, four- and five-part horn voicings, and more.
Good For:
The book demystifies arranging for horns and provides excellent tools and techniques from the author’s many years of experience and education. In addition, it features an in-depth look at writing for alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone, as well as trumpet and trombone, along with guiding constructing standard voicings, expanding harmony by using jazz chords, using brass mutes, composing various textures, and scoring advanced harmonic techniques.
7. ARRANGING FOR THE PIANO Second Edition by Cesar de la Cerda
ARRANGING FOR THE PIANO Second Edition by Cesar de la Cerda is a great read for pianists (professionals or students) and other creative music professionals involved in the composition process.
Piano arrangements can be made for various musical genres, including classical, jazz, pop, and rock. They can range from simple melody transcriptions with essential harmony to complex and virtuosic arrangements that showcase the pianist’s technical and musical abilities. Some famous piano arrangers are Ferruccio Busoni, Ellington Duke, and George Gershwin.
The book covers a wide range of topics such as the Simple Bass Technique, Broken Chords, Melody Treatment, Cross Hand Arpeggio, Chords in Axis Position, Block Chords, Artificial Chords, Point Chords, Free Voicings, Chord Superimposition, Fourths Chords, Harmonic Distortion, Walking Bass Line, and Arrangement Structure and Scope.
Key Features:
- Easy read
The book is written in an easy-to-understand style, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced players. It is also well-illustrated with diagrams and examples that make the concepts easy to understand and implement. - Comprehensive content
For every technique and style taught in the book, the author explains the procedure, variations of the method, applications, execution, and practice for the course. - Experienced author
The author, Cesar de la Cerda, is an experienced music teacher who studied modern harmony, composition techniques, and piano improvisation. He is the author of three books on Music, including Modern Tonal Harmony, Arranging for the piano, and Piano Improvisation. - Improvements in 2nd edition
The 2nd Edition of ARRANGING FOR THE PIANO by Dr. Cesar de la Cerda has more pages, more color, and great new features. These new features include in-depth instruction of technique, theory, and composition with examples arranged for the student to practice and various exercises and drills to help the student better understand the concepts. - Improvisation and examples
The book provides detailed information on the fundamentals of improvisation, allowing you to explore your creative potential. Additionally, the book contains several music examples, transcriptions of popular songs, and a comprehensive glossary of musical terms.
Good For:
ARRANGING FOR THE PIANO Second Edition by Cesar de la Cerda is an excellent reference for pianists, composers, music producers, etc., that want to be more creative with the piano. This book will show the procedures of structural resources that allow the ability to convert a melody and its chords into a piano composition, regardless of the genre.
8. A Cappella Arranging (Music Pro Guides) By Deke Sharon and Dylan Bell
“A Cappella Arranging” by Deke Sharon and Dylan Bell is a book that provides guidance and instruction on the art of arranging Music for a cappella ensemble.
The book covers various aspects of arranging and practical tips on working with a cappella group. It is part of the Music Pro Guide series, which is intended to provide professional-level instruction to music students and working musicians.
Key Features:
- Detailed instruction on various aspects of arranging
The book covers essential concepts such as chord progressions, voice leading, blending, and advanced techniques like counterpoint and dissonance. - Tips and advice for working with a cappella group
The authors provide practical guidance on working with singers, including choosing the right parts for different voices and creating effective harmonies. That helps producers/recording engineers record and arrange choirs, boy/girl bands or rap groups, duos, trios, etc. - Examples and exercises
The book includes a variety of examples from different genres of Music to illustrate critical concepts, as well as activities to help you practice and apply what they’ve learned. - Written by experts in the field
The author, Deke Sharon and Dylan Bell are well-known figures in the Acappella world, and they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to book. - In-depth coverage of arranging for different ensemble sizes and styles
The book covers various ensemble sizes and styles, including solo, duet, small group, full ensemble arrangements, and other music genres such as pop, rock, and jazz. - Clear and accessible writing
The author has written the book in a clear and accessible style that makes it easy for you to understand and follow along. It provides a solid foundation in the concepts and techniques of arranging, offers practical tips and advice, and covers a wide range of ensemble sizes and styles.
Good For:
Overall, the book is a comprehensive guide that provides professional-level instruction to music students and working musicians. The book is designed for a wide range of readers interested in arranging Music for Acappella ensembles, including music students, working musicians, Acappella enthusiasts, and music directors.
9. Instrumental Jazz Arranging: A Comprehensive and Practical Guide By Mike Tomaro & John Wilson
“Instrumental Jazz Arranging: A Comprehensive and Practical Guide” is a book by Mike Tomaro and John Wilson that provides a comprehensive and practical guide to jazz arranging for instrumentalists.
The book covers a wide range of topics, including arranging for small ensembles, big bands, and orchestras and using chords, voicings, and counterpoint in jazz arranging. It also includes exercises and examples to help you develop your arranging skills and is great for jazz musicians, composers, and arrangers.
Key Features:
- Practical exercises and examples
The book includes transcriptions of classic jazz arrangements for study and analysis. In addition, it is written in a clear and easy-to-understand style, making it accessible to jazz musicians and arrangers of all skill levels. - Focuses on the jazz idiom
The “jazz idiom” refers to musical language and conventions associated with jazz music. It encompasses the various elements that make jazz distinct from other musical genres, such as syncopation, improvisation, chord progressions, and harmonic devices. The book focuses on the jazz idiom and guides how to arrange jazz in a way that is authentic to the genre. - A wide range of musical examples
The book includes many musical examples that illustrate the concepts covered in the text, allowing you to see the ideas discussed in action. That gives a practical approach to the book. - Written by experienced jazz educators and arrangers
The book’s authors are experienced jazz educators and arrangers Mike Tomaro and John Wilson, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the subject matter. Tomaro has been active in the jazz education community, having served as a professor of jazz studies at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and as a clinician and guest artist at schools and festivals across the United States. He has also released several albums as a solo artist.
Good For:
Whether you are a beginner just starting to explore jazz arranging or an experienced arranger looking to improve your skills, this book can help you develop your understanding of jazz arranging and improve your ability to create practical and original jazz arrangements. The book is also helpful for music educators, students of jazz composition, and jazz enthusiasts who want to understand the art of jazz arranging.
10. Arranging Music for the Real World By Vince Corozine
Arranging Music for the Real World is a book by Vince Corozine that provides a reference for analyzing arranging techniques.
It comes with a CD containing fifty-one examples from the book, and it is intended for courses in orchestration and composition. It covers commercial Music, elemental design, instrument ranges, effects, and aesthetics. The book has been praised by readers and professionals alike for its informative and valuable content, logical and well-paced approach, and emphasis on subtle and meaningful expression.
Key Features:
- Renowned author
Vince Corozine is a professional musician and music educator specializing in arranging and composition. He has written and arranged for various genres and platforms, such as jazz, symphonic, pop, choral, Broadway, film, and television scores. - Great content
The book starts with the basic principles of arrangement and explains the concepts of one- and two-part writing, which includes topics like Motion Types, Seven Methods for achieving, and more. - Practical Approach
As the name suggests, the book is created for real-world application and consists of assignments, score study, and instrument ranges. In addition, the author also shows his samples, compositions, and recordings on the CD for more aural engagement in learning. - Easy to read
The book consists of concise and thorough information in a well-structured and easy-to-understand format and language. That saves you a lot of time and effort on trial and error to figure out things.
Good For:
Arranging Music for the Real World is intended for students, arrangers, and composers looking to improve their skills in their arranging and composition. The book benefits those new to arranging and needs a reference guide to help them with their work. It is written from a composer’s point of view and intended to be a reference book for analyzing arranging techniques.
11. Arranging for the Concert Band
“Arranging for the Concert Band” by Frank Erickson is a book that guides composers and arrangers on how to write adequate arrangements for concert bands.
The book covers topics such as score preparation, instrumentation, and various musical forms and styles in arranging. It is for guiding students, educators, and professional arrangers. Also, it has been widely used as a textbook in university-level music education since it was first published in 1975.
Key Features:
- Score Preparation
Score preparation is preparing a musical composition for performance or recording. This process includes several steps: Notation, Layout, Instrumentation, Proofreading, etc. The book provides detailed information on preparing a score, including notation software and the proper layout of a score. - Instrumentation
The book covers the characteristics of each instrument in the concert band, including range, tone color, and technical capabilities. It also guides how to use each tool in an arrangement effectively. - Forms and Styles
The book covers various musical forms and styles, such as marches, ballads, and jazz, and provides examples of arranging them for concert bands. That makes it more accessible and versatile and gives you a diverse knowledge bank as a reader. - Techniques and Materials
The book covers various arranging techniques and materials, such as counterpoint, harmony, and dissonance, and how to use them effectively in an arrangement. - Analysis and Evaluation
The book includes examples of good and poor arrangements and guides on analyzing and evaluating them. It is designed to be used as a textbook for university and includes exercises and assignments that you can use in the classroom.
Good For:
“Arranging for the Concert Band” by Frank Erickson is primarily intended for composers, arrangers, and music educators who write or teach Music for concert bands. The book provides detailed guidance on effectively writing arrangements for this ensemble and is designed to be used as a textbook in university-level music education.
The book is useful for students of music composition and arranging. It will benefit them to learn the techniques and materials used in writing adequate arrangements for concert bands. In addition, it can also be helpful for professional arrangers and composers who want to improve their skills in arranging Music for concert bands.
Additionally, music educators who teach concert bands can use the book as a resource to help guide their students in the art of arranging.
12. Arranging: For Beginners By Forslund Music
Arranging: For Beginners by Forslund Music is a comprehensive guide to arranging Music specifically suited for those new to the art.
The book covers everything from basic notation to advanced techniques, as well as how to create effective arrangements for any style of Music. It also provides tips for working with others in an ensemble and using the latest technology and software. With the help of this book, you will learn the basics of arranging and the fundamentals of music theory.
Key Features:
- Well-structured content
The book introduces the basic concepts and then discusses arranging a song with just two instruments. Further, it discusses placing a song with three or four instruments. With this structure, you will get a step-by-step guide toward arranging instruments in a song. - Covers various instruments
The text covers everything from rhythmic and percussive instruments to polyphonic and chords-based instruments and teaches based on these devices. That gives you, as a reader, a wide scope of tools to explore and apply to your arrangements. - Covers a wide range of topic
The author discusses everything from music theory to composition to an arrangement to ear training, music history, music notation, sight reading, and everything relevant to you as a beginner arranger or songwriter.
Good For:
The book is great for beginners, entry-level arrangers, musicians, and producers and doesn’t go too in-depth in any topics. It’s a light read, and the information delivery is simple and well-structured. Lastly, the book is 26 pages long and is available only on Kindle.
13. Adventures in Arranging By Dr. Richard Niles (Paperback Only)
“Adventures in Arranging” is a book by Dr. Richard Niles, which aims to teach the basics of arranging for music production.
The book covers topics such as chord progression, melody, harmony, and instrumentation and is available in paperback format. Dr. Richard Niles is a British composer, arranger, producer, and educator, with a great experience in the music industry. He has worked with a wide variety of artists, including Paul McCartney, Pet Shop Boys, and Seal.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive coverage of arranging techniques
The book covers a wide range of topics related to arranging, including chord progression, melody, harmony, and instrumentation. Secondly, the author uses clear, easy-to-understand language and provides a variety of examples to help you understand the concepts being discussed. - Practical approach
The book is designed to be practical and hands-on, with exercises and activities to help you apply what they have learned. For example, it covers applicable content like the arrangement as a composer, modulations, arranging brass instruments, etc. - Written by a seasoned professional
Dr. Richard Niles is a well-respected figure in the music industry, with years of experience as a composer, arranger, producer, and educator. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to book. - Comprehensive content
The book contains information about orchestration, covering instruments like Brass, Woodwind, Saxophones, Rhythm Section, Guitar & Bass, and various other percussive, melodic, and polyphonic instruments. It also discusses arrangement tools like pedal points, modulations, call & response, etc. - Teaches about voicing techniques
The text explains octaves, unison, 2-part, 3-part, and 4-part writing techniques, doubling, harmonic series, and more information about recording and arranging good-sounding and huge harmonies and choirs.
Good For:
“Adventures in Arranging” by Dr. Richard Niles is intended for those new to arranging and who want to learn the basics of arranging for music production. It is suitable for beginner arrangers/composers, music producers, vocal producers, and recording engineers who want to learn more about arranging and understand how to create effective arrangements for different types of Music.
14. Music Arranging and Orchestration By John Cacavas
“Music Arranging and Orchestration” by John Cacavas is a book that provides an in-depth look at the process of arranging and orchestrating Music.
It covers topics such as instrumentation, harmony, counterpoint, and orchestration techniques for various genres of Music. The book is for musicians, composers, and arrangers looking to improve their skills in arranging and orchestrating Music. It is considered a valuable resource for those interested in the field.
Key Features:
- Instrumentation
The book covers the different instruments and families used in orchestration and provides detailed information on their unique characteristics and capabilities. - Harmony
Harmony is a crucial element in Music arranging and orchestration. It refers to the way chords and voicings are used to create a sense of movement and tension in a piece of Music. The book delves into the use of harmony in orchestration, explaining how to use chords and voicings to create rich, full-sounding arrangements. - Counterpoint
Counterpoint refers to how different melodic lines interact to create a sense of movement and tension in a piece of Music. The book covers the principles of counterpoint, which is the art of combining melodies in a way that is harmonically interesting and pleasing to the ear. - Orchestration Techniques
The book provides detailed information on various orchestration techniques, including instrument doubling, divisi, and more. In addition, it also covers orchestration techniques for various genres of Music, such as Jazz, Pop, and Classical. The book also includes several examples and exercises throughout the text to help you understand and apply the concepts covered. - Written by an experienced author
The author John Cacavas has vast experience in composing and arranging Music, which brings a lot of practical insight into the book and makes it a valuable resource for those interested in the field.
Good For:
“Music Arranging and Orchestration” by John Cacavas is intended for musicians, composers, and arrangers looking to improve their skills in arranging and orchestrating Music. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the art of arranging and orchestrating Music, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about the subject.
Additionally, the book can be helpful for music students, music educators, and professionals who work in music production, composing, and arranging. It is written in a way accessible to both beginners and more experienced musicians, making it a great resource for anyone interested in the field.
Conclusion
We have covered various books on arranging orchestral Music, bands, guitars, horns, strings, and much more. If you are a music producer, composer, artist/musician, or audio engineer, looking for a general overview and basic concepts of music arrangement, Song Arrangement for the Small Recording Studio by Mr. Amos P Clarke and Arranging Songs: How to Put the Parts Together by Rikky Rooksby are great options as they cover general yet useful techniques and principles of music arrangement.
If you are a guitarist, then Arranging Songs: How to Put the Parts Together by Rikky Rooksby and Arranging for Solo Guitar by Edgar Cruz are some great picks, as they are well-focused on arranging electric and acoustic guitars.
If you want to learn string, piano, and horn arrangement, go for the specialized Arranging for Strings by Mimi Rabson, ARRANGING FOR THE PIANO by Cesar de la Cerda, and Arranging for Horns by Jerry Gates, respectively. Further, “A Cappella Arranging” by Deke Sharon and Dylan Bell is a great book for studying vocal arrangements, choir, and vocal production, as it gives great detail and focus to the given topics.
Lastly, “Instrumental Jazz Arranging: A Comprehensive and Practical Guide” by Mike Tomaro and John Wilson is focused explicitly on jazz arrangements. It is an excellent read for genre purists and enthusiasts, as it sticks to the authentic style and focuses on Jazz idiom. I hope the article was of help. Thank you for reading.
Shaurya Bhatia, is an Indian Music Producer, Composer, Rapper & Performer, who goes by the stage name MC SNUB, and is also 1/2 of the Indian pop music duo, called “babyface”. A certified Audio Engineer & Music Producer, and a practicing musician & rapper for more than 6 years, Shaurya has worked on projects of various genres and has also been a teaching faculty at Spin Gurus DJ Academy.