Customer Reviews

Mel Bay Basic Concepts of Arranging and Orchestrating Music

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I purchased this book from Amazon.com hoping to gain knowledge and tips that would be helpful in arranging strings, brass, and other instruments for church services. However, I was disappointed with Basic Concepts of Arranging. More than half of the book is devoted to basic concepts: relationships between notes, notation basics, and early theory (such as intervals, chord progressions, etc.). I have actually returned this book and exchanged it for another more comprehensive volume.

I have found this book very helpful in learning more about music and in making my own arrangements. It contains range and transposition information for just about every instrument out there, so if you have a score from any source you can figure out how to convert it to other instruments. It goes over keys, clefs, and scales, in case there's something you missed along the way. There are also some simple arranging exercises and tips, but nothing to keep you from establishing your own style ( Mr. Bruner expects you to think for yourself). As a source-book I would say this is invaluable.

Hey.
Although I do not play the guitar, I think this book would be a wonderful way to learn. Tom Bruner, the author, is my step dad. He has been a musician for numerous years and has become very successful. You won't go wrong bying this book :o) Kaley