If you’ve never learned how to arrange music, than you will need some structure as a starting point.

Music has form, just like language compositions. Not all arrangements follow the same form, but some forms are more common than others.  We’re going to discuss today’s most common form, look at each element, and learn how to make an arrangement with this form.

COMMON FORM

• Introduction
• Verse 1
• Chorus
• Verse 2
• Chorus
• Bridge (or verse 3)
• Chorus
• Ending

The reason this form is successful is that it makes the song easily memorable because of the structure and interesting due to the frequent change. In fact you’ve heard this form dozens of times on your local music station. The songs you hear probably sound like this:

• Instrumental introduction (usually lead by a guitar)
• Vocals start with verse 1, music remains simple
• Chorus begins with a sudden build, caused by added instrumentation and alternate percussion
• Verse 2 starts and some of the build pulls back, making the piece simpler
• Chorus starts again, which is a repeat of the first chorus with minor variations
• Bridge begins that is very simple, making way for the big build
• Chorus is played again, big, dramatic, huge
• Ending (possibly abrupt)

Now, let’s discuss each element, but with a solo instrumentalist’s mindset.

#1 INTRODUCTION
The introduction is the initial impression of your piece. Make it memorable and make it good. Typically, it establishes the tone, mood, timing signature, and pace of your song (although I would encourage variations to this!). It can be something that is in your face and grabs your attention, or it can be subtle. Personally, I like it when the introduction does not play the melody of the piece, but rather plays a progression of chords that possibly includes variations or snippets of the melody or chorus. However you construct your introduction, make sure that it fits with the rest of the song.

#2 VERSE 1

Your first time around, establish the melody. Keep it simple. Don’t get carried away with added embellishments. This is not your time to to try to impress. While you know the melody, your listeners may not. It will be frustrating for them if they’re having to think to hear the melody.

#3 CHORUS

Still keep that melody prominent, but start building the piece. Maybe throw in some arpeggios, but don’t go all out just yet.

#4 VERSE 2

Once you have completed your chorus, you may want to add a transition before you play verse 2. You may want to play part of your introduction as a transition, so people will be reminded of it.

The second verse needs to start adding some variety to the piece, or else it may start to drag. You want the change to keep the listener’s attention. Some options are to use intervals you haven’t played with yet, some different chord constructions, etc. Vary up the verse slightly, but don’t go all the way just yet.

#5 CHORUS

Jump right into that chorus, but make sure that there is a little transition between verse 2 and the chorus. This gives some breathing room. One thing I like is to make the song “crooked” by adding an additional beat. If the song is in 4/4, add a 5th beat pause as a transition, then start the chorus on beat 1.

Add some variation to that chorus and really start having some fun, but not too much!

#6 BRIDGE (OR VERSE 3)

Here, you’ve just spent the entire song creating a build. A build can create a type of tension in your listener, so it’s probably time to back off and go back to simple for about 20-30 seconds. This will allow the song to breathe and your listener to exhale. Additionally….

Something that is bold will be better appreciated next to something that is more subtle

#7 CHORUS

You’ve just played that bridge or verse 3 simple, so whenever you play the chorus, your listeners are going to really want it. They’ll be anticipating it. Give them what they want and then some. If you’re performing and sense the crowd is really into it, you may want to adjust your arrangement and play that chorus a second (or maybe 3rd!) time.

#8 ENDING

You should not undervalue the importance of a quality ending. While you may want to leave your listeners hanging with an abrupt ending, this is not always the best approach. I like to be able to anticipate the ending. In order to do this, one option is to repeat the introduction as the ending. This will signal to the listener that the ending has arrived and it is time to wrap things up.