Arranging for Songwriters

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/arranging-for-songwriters

Introduction

**Course Review: Arranging for Songwriters on Coursera** If you’re a budding musician who has penned down some heartfelt lyrics and composed a catchy melody, but find yourself pondering the next steps to elevate your creation, the Coursera course "Arranging for Songwriters" could be just what you need. This engaging course is designed to take you from a simple demo on your phone to a fully-realized song, making it an invaluable resource for any songwriter eager to enhance their production skills. **Overview of the Course** "Arranging for Songwriters" is presented by two experienced professors from the Berklee College of Music, Bonnie Hayes and Sarah Brindell. Their expertise not only ensures that the content is of the highest caliber but also offers a practical and engaging learning experience. The course is tailored for individuals who possess basic knowledge of a digital audio workstation (DAW) and have a passion for songwriting. The structure of the course is intuitive and progressive, guiding learners through the essential aspects of song arrangement. Each module builds upon the previous one, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the arrangement process. **Syllabus Breakdown** 1. **Welcome to Arranging for Songwriters**: The introductory module sets the stage for your journey, detailing the course layout and offering insights on how to maximize your learning experience. 2. **New Ways of Listening**: In the first lesson, you'll learn to arrange your song both horizontally (the order and length of sections) and vertically (the interplay of various instruments in terms of frequency and volume). There’s a strong emphasis on creating emotional depth through arrangement, making this crucial for songwriters looking to engage their audience. 3. **Laying the Foundation**: Here, you’ll discover the keys to choosing the right key and tempo for your song, while also dabbling in popular arrangement styles. By the end of this section, you should be able to put together a basic track that forms the backbone of your original piece. 4. **Finding the Groove**: This module delves into establishing the right rhythmic feel for your song. The collaboration between bass and drums is highlighted, allowing you to craft a solid groove that enhances your song's dynamics. 5. **Instrumentation and Vocals**: The final lesson focuses on the art of layering additional instruments alongside your established groove, with an important note on ensuring vocals remain the focal point. By the end of this section, you will have produced a complete demo of your original song. **Recommendation** "Arranging for Songwriters" is a fantastic investment for anyone serious about their songwriting craft. The course not only demystifies the arrangement process but also provides practical skills that can be applied immediately. Whether you are a novice looking to refine your skills or an experienced songwriter wanting to expand your toolkit, this course offers valuable insights that are both informative and practical. The instructors, Bonnie Hayes and Sarah Brindell, bring a wealth of experience and a passion for music that is infectious. Their teaching style is both engaging and supportive, ensuring that you feel comfortable throughout the learning process. Overall, I highly recommend this course for anyone looking to take their songwriting to the next level. With its user-friendly approach and thorough curriculum, "Arranging for Songwriters" is a gem in the realm of online music education. Sign up today on Coursera and unlock your full songwriting potential!

Syllabus

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.

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.

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.

In lesson 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 lesson, you’ll be able to create the perfect groove for your original song.

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.