Professional Arranger Composer [Paperback]

Russell Garcia (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Criterion Music Corp(Goldm) (June 1954)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0910468052
• ISBN-13: 978-0910468053
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,193,572 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Music Arranging BIBLE - In Easy-To-Digest Format, February 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Professional Arranger Composer (Paperback)

First, I have to echo the first reviewer. (Also, after reading that well put review, it is clear to me they intended to give the book FIVE stars, not ONE :) - so, I need to help that average rating.)

Russ Garcia has written a non-pretentious tell it like it is book that would jump-start ANY musician at any level. It has the unusual ability to be both simple and probing. Written in an age before political correctness - he makes certain sweeping statements like "this type of chord is PRETTY". I *LOVED* that, because in music, there are certain universals. It's not about rules (Russ makes that clear), and it doesn't mean these "universals" are written in stone exactly, but let's face it, folks; Major 7th chords ARE "pretty".

Although written in the fifties, "The Professional Arranger Composer: Book 1" is forward looking. Russ was obviously for experimentation and new ideas. I got it in 1974, and although I wasn't into some of the genres he mentions and covers, the ideas behind them were easily converted to my areas of interest. It would be the same now. Russ Garcia knew that in music the times were changing. But he floods the reader with many usable ideas that can make you arrange better, compose better, or play your instrument better (probably particularly keyboards, but I'm certain other instruments as well). I've been arranging and composing for years, and I am always thankful I found this book fairly early on. I've got a whole shelf of music books, from a four-part Julliard series on Jazz to a very nice book from Henri Mancini called Sounds and Scores that has audio examples... on vinyl, no less... and although they've all been helpful, I think Mr. Garcia takes the cake. Mr. Mancini is HIGH on the list, though!!

The Professional Arranger Composer comes in Book 1 & Book 2. I recently got Book 2, having looked for ages to find it. Book 1 looks like he wrote on score paper with a felt tip pen, and he left it that way on purpose. SMART! It takes it away from any sort of lofty academic realm and helps to bring the message home. The writing does the same. Russ WANTS you to exceed, excel, and make music! Between the two books, if you only get one book, go for Book 1. Book two loses the "look and feel", and although some of the tone remains, it basically extends Book 1, but perhaps in a not as easy to digest way. Book 1 becomes your friend; a book to wear out and buy again (it's paperback ONLY).

Strike up the BAND!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic text, September 24, 2008

By 

David Burgin (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Professional Arranger Composer (Paperback)

This is an excellent, all-around book which I've owned for years (the covers are falling off my copy). It is easy to read, and the neat, hand-written notation gives it a casual charm. Garcia provides lots of practical advice and tips on how to use (and avoid over-using) arranging techniques. This is not just a collection of material on the ranges of instruments, etc. but rather has lots of info on how to blend ensembles together. The emphasis is more on large "bands" (including string sections as needed) rather than full-on classical orchestration. (Think of scores/arrangements by Henry Mancini, Nelson Riddle, or Quincy Jones rather than Ravel or Mahler, in other words.) For classical scores, I'd recommend Rimsky-Korsakov and Walter Piston's classic works on orchestration, though you can still learn a lot from Garcia.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic that Belongs in Every Arranger's Library, May 2, 2007

By 

Jerry Engelbach (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Professional Arranger Composer (Paperback)

I agree with reviewer number 2 that the first reviewer must have intended five stars. I hope this will help boost the average at least another star.

I bought this book in 1962 for $5. It's still available used for as little as $15.00, but I wouldn't sell my copy for any amount. I'm a professional jazz pianist and occasional composer/arranger. It was an important part of my basic education.

I also agree with reviewer no. 2 that the handwritten look of it is a plus. This is the way all custom arrangements were written for many years, before the advent of the personal computer and music writing software.

It's not written with a felt-tipped pen, but with a broad-nibbed music writing pen using India or other permanent black ink.

There are other, more comprehensive (and more expensive) books out there, excellent ones, but Garcia's is a superb introduction to all the fundamentals every aspiring arranger needs.