What should I take into account when I want to arrange?

[ValorZero]

Hello there, as you can clearly see I'm new to this forum as a user, but I do read this forum quite often, but this is the first time I am asking you seasoned players about what I have to ask.

Basically, I have to choose a medley(3 minutes worth) of tunes, any song for an ensemble of 2 Bb tubas and 1 double bass. I'm pretty inexperienced in this kind of thing, but I have a good ear for chords and rhythm and I have software that can assist me (MuseScore) in this task.

I also have to add that me and my other mates have only played for 2 years minimum and we have to play for a concert in June later this year, so I have to take into account the ability of the players as well (and me, of course).

I would like to know what I should take into account when I do arrange for the ensemble. Personally, I am quite excited about this and I want your help to make this concert a success. Thank you for reading.

[NCSUSousa]

I've done a few things with music scoring software. Don't trust the sounds the software makes through the computer speakers. It's never quite right.
If you can, get yourself onto an in-tune piano so that you know what the pitches really sound like while you're still making changes.

If you have the opportunity, get a decent group to play the piece once it's close enough to finished. Ask for feedback from the players.
One of the members of my community band did this with a piece he was writing. He brought it to us (the whole group) twice while it was still in progress. He let our director lead us through and answered questions before we played the first note. Each time he took feedback. It really helped him to hear it on the intended instruments. After the 1st session of this, he actually moved some of his internal parts from one instrument to another to get the right tone/color. It wasn't something that could be heard well on his computer. The finished piece is on our spring concert program now.

[pgym]

First, and foremost, you need to take into account the copyright status of the pieces you're planning to arrange. If they're still in copyright, you need to obtain permission from the copyright owner (i.e., pay for the privilege); if they're in the public domain, you're free and clear.

[swillafew]

PM sent

[J.Harris]

Here's one tip: avoid close harmonies in the low range. Thirds etc... Will sound like mud. Use 10s etc... Instead. Good luck.

[eupher61]

2 great comments so far. .. copyright and close harmonies. Your laws may be different than US laws, but if this is for a school project you likely will be OK... But please ask if you don't know the law.

You could get a variety of colors by using pizz bass, tubas high and low, and/or a mute on any of them. Low ranges, avoid quick rhythms, they will suffer from lack of clarity. As far as voicing, do avoid thirds; for the tubas, a good starter rule would be one tuba below the staff and one in the staff. If the bass player is comfortable in higher positions use that as much as possible, otherwise avoid the bow when bass is close to tuba. Soft is always nice also, so try to use dynamic contrasts.

[ValorZero]

So, I brainstormed for something and something that I had in mind was this.



I'm still out of ideas though

[Art Hovey]

First and foremost keep in mind the strengths and weaknesses of the performers for whom you are writing. Take advantage of their individual sounds.

Second, use software and hardware that allow you to hear what you have written in the best possible approximation of the instrument sounds that you are writing for, and do a lot of listening. You will find some things that should sound good but don't. Change them and keep changing them until they sound right.

Third, make the parts easy to read.

[eupher61]

Seems like a good start.