Creating Your Own Arrangements

Our newest Hymn Playing Basics course, "Creating Arrangements," will be released soon. We want to share a preview of it with you. Here, we will just be looking at the main points; however, our course develops each step into great detail with multiple examples along the way. At the very end of the course, we will use all the steps to create an actual piano arrangement!

Here is the preview:

Arranging a song for piano, a choir, or an ensemble is a creative and rewarding process. It’s an opportunity to take a piece of music and give it your unique spin, adapting it to fit your performers and the atmosphere of the service. Here's an easy-to-follow guide to help you create a thoughtful, engaging arrangement that everyone will enjoy!

Step 1: Choose Your Song

You’ve already picked the song, but let’s dig deeper. Start by identifying the key, time signature, and chords in the piece. The more familiar you are with these musical elements, the easier it will be to shape the arrangement. A solid understanding of the song’s structure is your foundation for success!

Step 2: Choose Your Application

What’s the purpose of your arrangement? Is it for a vocal solo, a men’s quartet, or a choir? If it’s for a choir, are they performing it as a service opener, or is it a special piece for another part of the service? These questions will guide how the arrangement should feel and sound. Think about how long the arrangement will be, and whether you want to keep it in the original key or adjust it to suit your choir’s vocal range.

Step 3: Choose the Rough Structure

Now that you’ve got a feel for the song, let’s plan the structure! This doesn’t mean focusing on specific notes yet, but instead outlining the big picture. How many verses do you want? Any repeats or tags? Do you want an intro or a special ending? This is your chance to get creative and let your imagination flow!

Step 4: Choose the Overall Style

Every song has an emotional essence, and that will guide the style of your arrangement. Is the piece joyful and upbeat, or more meditative and reflective? Establishing the overall emotional style early on will help inspire your creativity and make sure the arrangement stays consistent throughout.

Step 5: Choose the Melodic Flow

This step might sound a little odd, but it’s important! Decide how you want the melody to move through the arrangement. Will it stay with the soprano throughout, or will other sections (like the altos or tenors) take turns carrying the melody? You might also adjust the rhythm or notes slightly to create interesting variations. The goal here is to make the melody flow naturally and add some unexpected, beautiful twists.

Step 6: Choose the Harmonies

Now comes the fun part – harmonies! If you’re comfortable with chords and chord substitutions, feel free to get creative here. Experiment with different harmonies to make the arrangement unique. If you’re less experienced, no worries – sticking with the original harmonies works beautifully, too. Harmony is about complementing the melody and adding richness to the sound.

Step 7: Create a Theme and/or Introduction

A well-crafted introduction sets the tone for the entire arrangement. The length and complexity of your intro will depend on the setting. For congregational music, keep the intro simple and clear. For special music, feel free to get more ornate. Whatever you choose, always make sure the singers have a clear cue for when they should start singing.

Additionally, consider creating a theme – a short, catchy melody that you can repeat or tweak throughout the song. It could be a snippet from the song itself, or something new and unique you’ve come up with.

Step 8: Add Piano Accompaniment

The piano accompaniment is the heartbeat of your arrangement. Think about the style of accompaniment that best fits the emotional tone and pacing of the song. You can choose from countless patterns and variations – use your creativity here to add layers to the arrangement and make it feel distinctive.

Final Thought: Sing While You Play

One of the most important parts of arranging is to sing the song as you’re working on it. You never know when a new idea might pop into your head! Make sure to have a phone handy to record any ideas that come to you at random moments.

When it comes time to perform, remember this: A great arrangement can fall flat if the musicians aren’t invested emotionally, but even a simple arrangement can be transformed by heartfelt performance. So, sing with passion, and your arrangement will come alive!

Arranging music can be a thrilling and deeply personal process. Trust your instincts, and let your creativity guide you as you craft something beautiful and meaningful. Happy arranging, and most importantly, enjoy the journey of creating music!

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Aaron Dempsey

I Corinthians 15:58