Much like the other guy with a similar title, I am a High School Student (sophomore) and I have been arranging for a few months now. I just want some feedback on my arrangements and one of my brother's arrangements. Sorry the sound quality is bad, I had to use Windows Movie Maker which screwed up the sound and I also I am using MuseScore which is free but doesn't have the best sounds and does not have any marching band percussion.
First is my brother's arrangement of I Need A Doctor based on SU's version
Next is my arrangement of Hate Me Now, based on PVU's version although the beginning (which I will be changing soon) is the same as MrKomKast's version on youtube (forgot what his name is on here)
This is Dirty Diana, based on VSU's and NSU's arrangements
Lastly is Mr. Ice Cream Man, based on SU's version and the chords are from MrKomKast's arrangement but the whole song is in the same key as SU's verison
This one may seem to have a wrong note on the tuba part but it may be an issue with the program or an issue with the chords I stole. Once I can get the whole band to play the song I will be listening to if I need to change that note.
Replies
before i even listen to these, ima say this... starting off practicing arranging other bands arrangements is ok, but never put a product out there based off somebody else's arrangement.... listen to the actual SONG to write a good arrangement.
I do agree but I will not be selling these as they are in the public domain (on musescore.com) and they will not be performed for money. At least I have given credit where credit is due unlike many bands/arrangers. There are only so many ways you can arrange a song and have it sound like the original or in some cases, like the best version before it sounds like crap (SU's I Got 5 On It, for example). I do agree that if I were to sell it or something I would need to do it from scratch. Reason why I do it this way is that the marching band I am in has 0 good music and quantity is valued over originality especially when my brother and I are the only ones getting music for the band (our band director doesn't like to arrange stuff and his arrangements are terrible). Anyways these are 100 times better than what is currently in our band library (most people at our school do not like the band for that reason) and I have put my own spin on each of them and I have seen worse arrangements published than this (had to play a few of them and none of them were original). If I were ever to take arranging seriously as an income source I would be original of course. All I am looking for here is do these arrangements at least sound good.
TBoneSuave said:
i'm a hs sophomore too and i agree with suave. what i do is find songs i havent ever seen arrangements of and try those. you dont have to worry about somebody sayin you stole their song or no originality.
selling it or making income off of it shouldn't be a factor right now.... from what u are saying it sounds like yall are in need of arrangements or whatever the case may be ..... my advise don't copy a college's to gain notoriety, because you're already starting off a bad habit.
Like Quasi said, listen for other songs and try to arrange those.
Edward Mauger said:
I am working on one of those now actually but one could still argue if you are not composing a song (working on one of those too) then your music has no originality. Anyway none of the bands we play will have anything to say to us about originality, as none of their arrangements are original and one of the bands actually stole one of our songs. Would it have been better if I didn't tell you I based my arrangements on others? From what I have seen most bands do not worry about originality so I won't either... I mean what is better: an original arrangement that sounds terrible or an inspired arrangement and making it sound good? The crowd won't be able to tell that you didn't come up with it all by yourself, all they care about is having something nice to listen to. The arranger gets no notice anyway. Many songs can't have another arrangement anyway (for example, Spook, as played by TxSU's Sousa section (which may have not been the original), you have a little liberty on the solos but if you don't play that high solo you are weak).
Trumpet Ant, AKA Quasi said:
Well currently all I am trying to do is to save the band program. We have been told that if we can't get the public to like us we could be on the chopping block because of budget cuts. I think keeping the band program is more important than worrying about originality at this stage.
TBoneSuave said:
be careful with that sentiment cause it isn't as black and white as u believe...
and saying " I think keeping the band program is more important than worrying about originality at this stage" kinda hinders you because you CAN have both at the same time. many programs have done it before
Edward Mauger said:
wait.... you go to Dutchtown????? mane i graduated from Eagle's Landing.... inbox me. i might be able to help u if need be
My lb and freshman bro went to Dutchtown! Does D'Andre Johnson ring a bell? Anyway, you have plenty of time before next season started. I spent my first year transcribing arrangements from other bands, and I started around the same time as you! But, I never put them on the net, except like 1 or 2.
Remember, don't arrange as if you have a band of FAMU's or JSU's or any other bands caliber! Arrange in a way that fits your band! I learned this the hard way. Your goal is the play on the strong points of your band, not like you're TxSU or something. If you band has weak baritones, then refrain from giving them solo lines, and if you have too, double them with another brass instrument. A few ofmy arrangements never left the band room in high school because I didn't figure that out, but now that i have, I've gotten texts from my BD in the middle of away trips asking me to write stuff for him.
Play the strengths of your band and being original is WAY more important than mimicking *insert school here*'s band. You can shoot me a PM too, if you read this.
TBoneSuave said:
<---- MrKomKast
Idk why people copy from our arrangements.. we think we suck.
Keepingitm100 and TboneSuave pretty much covered it all though
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