If you are getting ready to step into a studio to record, make sure that you start thinking before you ever put your foot close to the microphone. While recording has allowed for new wonders and expectations to be met with music, there is still the need to do some old fashioned needs to make sure that your songs are worth the extra track. Following are ten tips that you can remember to make sure you have the arrangement correct before you begin recording.
Balance
Is your instrumentation balanced? You should have an even amount of ranges, from low to high. If you have too much of one and not enough of another, your recording might not sound so great.
Harmonies
You want to make sure that there is some good support going into the melody of your song. Without the right harmonies or alternative sounds to the melody, it will sound like your song is missing a piece of the puzzle.
Musical arrangement
This is based completely on the ability to organize the instrumentation in the song. Not only should it be balanced, but it should also include contrasts and similarities in how the music follows what you are trying to say. If you are stuck with creating instrumentation that fits, get into some basic theory concepts to assist you.
Spacing
More important than all of the melodies and harmonies is the room that you put in between each. This means that you don’t want to rush through your song, and you don’t want to take too much time. Ensure that you give some breaks with melodies and change up the harmonies enough to keep it interesting and moving correctly.
Tempo
Often, it is assumed that there is a specific tempo, and that is it. However, you want to make sure that your tempos are defined, and everyone follows them without missing a beat. Once you get into the studio, you don’t want anything to be off by a second, as it will cause the recording to become difficult to lay down.
Form
The easiest way for a listener to relate to your song from the beginning is to have the right form. If you are focused on lyrics, this will be the hook that is used during the chorus. If you are experimenting with form, make sure there is always a place in the music that goes back and keeps the listener’s attention so that they can relate to the music.
Variety
One of the overlooked parts of arranging is the variety that is in the song. This means that, even though you are repeating choruses or verses, make sure you have some different movement or instrumentation in your recording.
Movement
The song’s movement goes beyond the tempo and into the extra small things that you do with a recording. This is what will make or break a song. Things such as loud and soft, ornamentation, and other small add ons will help move the song correctly.
Consistency
Along with the variety of the song should be a certain consistency that lets the song fit together. This part is related to the song’s form and links to things such as tying the song together with the right lyrics and musical concepts. Within each of these areas, you can have some variation, but ensure that the framework allows the listener to follow what you are doing.
Creativity
Of course, this should never be left behind. All too often are musical ideas that are heard that are close to what was heard before. The first rule to a good song is always to let yourself go, follow your creativity, and let the rest fall into place.
These simple tricks are ways that you can improve your song and get it recording ready. From this, you will make sure that your songs and pieces are polished, stand out from the crowd and get your voice heard among other musicians.
