If you are preparing to head into the studio to record, make sure that you start thinking about exactly what you want to sound like before you even enter the studio.
While recording technology has expanded to a point where new wonders can be created with music, there is still the need to do the dirty work that will make your songs stand out from the millions of other songs out there.
Following is a list of ten tips that you can use to make sure you have the best possible arrangement of your song, BEFORE you begin recording, and are on the clock.
1.
Balance.
Is your band balanced? You should have a relatively even number of ranges, from low to high.
If you have too many low voices and not enough highs to balance it out, your recording will be really low end heavy, and will leave the listener with much to be desired.
2.
Harmonies.
Make sure that the songs' melody has solid support underneath it.
Without the right harmonies, it may sound like your song is missing something.
Be careful not to overdo it though, as putting harmonies throughout the whole song will come across as overkill.
3.
Musical arrangement.
This is entirely based on your ability to organize the instrumentation of the song.
It needs to be balanced, and it should also include enough contrasts and similarities to keep the listener interested and excited.
Also make sure that the music and lyrics complement each other.
If you have trouble creating instrumentation that fits, try to find some basic theory concepts to assist you, or consider taking lessons with a qualified instructor.
4.
Spacing.
This is more important than the melodies and harmonies themselves.
This means that you can't rush through your song too quickly and at the same time, the music needs enough space to breathe between vocal sections.
Make sure that there are some breaks in the melodies and experiment with the harmonies enough to keep your song interesting and flowing properly.
5.
Tempo.
Many times, musicians assume that the song has a specific tempo, but don't decide what it is.
You want to be sure that your tempos are clearly defined, that all of your band mates agree to them, and that everyone can lock in at the chosen speed.
Once you're in the studio, you need your rhythms to be as precise as possible, to have a tight, cohesive, well-rehearsed sound.
6.
Form.
Listeners will latch on to your songs more easily from the beginning if you use the right form.
Focus on the vocals, as this will be the focal point of the song.
When experimenting with form, be sure that your song has a section in the music that it returns to, to keep the attention of the listener and to help them to relate to your music.
7.
Contrast.
A key part of arranging is the use of variety within your song.
Even though you may choose to repeat a chorus or a verse, you can still have some different harmonies or instrumentation on one of the repeats.
This one thing can make a mediocre song into an absolute gem! 8.
Movement.
The way your song progresses though different sections goes beyond the tempo and delves into the all of the minute details you can add to your recording.
This can totally make or break your song.
Effective use of dynamics, articulation, effects, ornamentation and other tools can help your song to develop the right way.
9.
Consistency.
In addition to the use of variety in the song should be a certain consistency that allows the song fit together, and make sense as a whole.
This concept is related to the song's form and also refers to how the song ties together with the lyrics and musical ideas.
Within each area, you may have variation, but be sure that the song's framework allows the listener to keep track of where you are going.
10.
Creativity.
Obviously, this can't be left out of the equation.
Too often, musical ideas are extremely similar to many written before them.
The first rule to writing a good song is to let go of your preconceived notions, follow your creative ideas and let the song write itself.
Follow these 10 simple steps to improve your song and get it prepared to record.
From here, you'll be sure that your songs and all of their sections are polished, unique, and will get you recognition from music fans everywhere.