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
This course is part of multiple programs.


Instructors: Sarah Brindell
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(81 reviews)
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There are 4 modules in this course
Welcome to Arranging for Songwriters! 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. Then, 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 module, you will be able to create a horizontal arrangement for an original song.
What's included
2 videos8 readings2 assignments1 peer review2 discussion prompts
In this second module, 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 module, you will be able to create a basic track of your original song.
What's included
3 videos3 readings2 assignments1 peer review
In module 3, 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 song’s harmony. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to create the perfect groove for your original song.
What's included
2 videos2 readings2 assignments1 peer review2 discussion prompts1 plugin
In this final module, 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 module, you will have completed a full demo of your original song.
What's included
5 videos2 readings2 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt
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Reviewed on Jan 10, 2022
I learnt more than I expect..... Worth all the time for this course!
Reviewed on Feb 20, 2022
This course took my songwriting to a different level and I now better understand how to arrange my songs to sound more professional
Reviewed on Sep 4, 2021
Great course, I loved it! Very usefull for songwriters
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