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Computer Music Specials, Mon 17 Nov 2008, 4:08 pm UTC
11. Be aware of rhythm
You may want all the instruments to 'lock in' together and play the same rhythm; you may want them to play different rhythms. Whatever you choose to do, though, make sure this is a conscious decision, as not paying attention to rhythm will make your arrangement sound sloppy and disjointed.
12. Be aware of expectations
When arranging, It's sometimes best to do the obvious and kick in with the big chorus at the end – it's what people will expect and probably what they'll want to hear. Equally, though, defying expectations and going somewhere that isn't immediately obvious can be a really effective move.
13. Make your intro count
The cruel truth is that most listeners aren't patient and will often judge your track in the first few seconds. The intro isn't merely the bit before the melody or vocals come in – it's a very important section in its own right, so spend some time making it perfect.
14. Think about register
The register of a part is how high up it's played – for example, a piano part played in a high register would be played high up (to the right) on the keyboard. If every part is in the same register in your track, it'll likely sound either dull or too dense. Try spreading parts about a bit and changing register as the song goes on.
For more arranging advice, check out The Computer Music Special Beginner's Guide (volume 32) which is on sale now.
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