You've created a song. You wrote the lyrics, decided on the melody, and maybe even recorded a simple demo. Now what? If you have a basic knowledge of how to use a digital audio workstation (DAW) and are passionate about being a songwriter, this course will help you take your song from a simple recording on your phone to a fully arranged song ready for the recording studio.
Arranging for Songwriters
Berklee College of MusicAbout this Course
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Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
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Flexible deadlines
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Intermediate Level
Sstudents should have experience writing songs and be aware of popular song forms
Approx. 9 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Skills you will gain
MusicarrangingSongwritingWriting
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Intermediate Level
Sstudents should have experience writing songs and be aware of popular song forms
Approx. 9 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Offered by
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music was founded on the revolutionary principle that the best way to prepare students for careers in music is through the study and practice of contemporary music. For more than half a century, the college has evolved to reflect the state of the art of music and the music business. Berklee serves distance learners worldwide through its award-winning online extension school, Berklee Online.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
2 hours to complete
Welcome to Arranging for Songwriters
Welcome to the course! Here we will cover all the details about the course and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your experience.
2 hours to complete
6 readings
6 readings
Welcome!10m
Meet Your Instructors: Bonnie Hayes10m
Meet Your Instructors: Sarah Brindell10m
Connect with Your Classmates10m
Course Resources10m
Earn A Course Certificate10m
1 practice exercise
What Are Your Goals?30m
1 hour to complete
New Ways of Listening
In this first lesson, we'll learn how to arrange our songs horizontally (meaning the order and length of song sections) and vertically (meaning the frequency range and volume of the various instruments in your song). We'll also consider how to create and support emotional meaning through our writing and instrumentation. We'll review processes for working on arrangements, learn how to listen to arrangements critically, and discuss how arrangements change in live performances vs. recording sessions. By the end of the lesson, you will be able to create a horizontal arrangement for an original song.
1 hour to complete
2 videos (Total 8 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzes
2 videos
Deciding What's Right for the Tune4m
4 readings
Critical Listening and Workflow10m
Horizontal Arrangement vs. Vertical Arrangement30m
Exercise: Diagramming Song Sections
How To Upload an .mp3 to the Discussion Forums10m
2 practice exercises
New Ways of Listening Quiz10m
SELF-ASSESSMENT: Create a Horizontal Arrangement of an Original Song
1 hour to complete
Laying the Foundation
In this second lesson, you will start to lay the foundations for your song. We will discuss how to find the right key and tempo for your song and look at a few popular arrangement styles. By the end of the lesson, you will be able to create a basic track of your original song.
1 hour to complete
3 videos (Total 34 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzes
4 readings
Choosing the Right Tempo10m
Example of a Popular Arrangement Style10m
Sign-up for the full experience!10m
How To Upload an .mp3 to the Discussion Forums10m
2 practice exercises
Laying the Foundation Quiz10m
SELF-ASSESSMENT: Create a Basic Track of an Original Song
2 hours to complete
Finding the Groove
In Lesson three, we'll focus on how to determine the right groove for your song. We'll discuss how the bass works with the drums to support the rhythmic structure of a song, as well as creating a foundation for the songs harmony. By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to create the perfect groove for your original song.
2 hours to complete
2 videos (Total 32 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes
2 readings
Basic Beat Subdivisions10m
Drumbeat Basics10m
2 practice exercises
Finding the Groove Quiz10m
SELF-ASSESSMENT: Add a Groove to Your Original Song
3 hours to complete
Instrumentation and Vocals
In this final lesson we will look at how to build the rest of the track around your song. Now that we have the foundation of the groove with the drums and bass, we'll take a look at how we can add other instruments to the mix. Most importantly, we will discuss how to incorporate these additions without taking focus away from the vocal part. By the end of this lesson, you will have completed a full demo of your original song.
3 hours to complete
5 videos (Total 52 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes
5 videos
Strings8m
Horn Arrangements21m
The Primacy of the Lead Vocal4m
Wrap-up1m
2 readings
General Mid-Range Arranging Tip10m
Are you looking for more?10m
1 practice exercise
Instrumentation and Vocals Quiz10m
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM ARRANGING FOR SONGWRITERS
by AMJun 26, 2020
This course provides me to learn more about song arrangements and helping to my ongoing projects. Thanks Coursera and my Mentors Sarah Brindell and Bonnie Hayes.
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