Arranging

Equip yourself with the most effective chord scale choices for arranging and improvising, and learn arranging and orchestration techniques for a variety of contemporary styles. With Berkleemusic's Professional Certificate in Arranging, you’ll learn great new skills to apply to both live instrumentation and sequenced/sampled sounds and gain the skills to become an accomplished arranger, across a variety of genres, instruments, and styles.

You’ll start by learning the basics. In Arranging 1: Rhythm Section, you'll learn how to write for the rhythm section (drums, bass, guitar, and keyboards) and create killer arrangements that really groove. This course directs you on everything you'll need to create an effective arrangement—including rhythm section notation, adaptation of the melody and chords, intro's and endings, articulations and dynamics, and how to create an emotional contour throughout the arrangement.

Next, you'll move onto Arranging: Small Ensemble and Horns to further develop your writing and arranging skills for smaller bands and larger ensembles and learn techniques that can be applied to both live instrumentation or sequenced/sampled sounds. You'll explore the properties of the horn section—including the trumpet, trombone, and alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones—and study techniques and melodic embellishments that will give you a basic understanding of writing/arranging for these instruments.

With the basics covered, you'll move on to apply your knowledge in Arranging: Contemporary Styles. In this course, you'll learn to create and apply your own grooves and style mixes to your arrangements with the same techniques used by many successful contemporary artists and producers in a number of styles, including rock, pop, soul, R&B, Brazilian, Afro Cuban, funk, and hip-hop.

You'll then learn more advanced arranging techniques for the rhythm section and horn section in Arranging: Advanced Horn Writing. You'll learn unison, 2, 3, 4, and 5-part writing, and study techniques for voicing chords, orchestration, articulations, and background lines. You'll also learn advanced topics of harmony, such as tension substitutions and lower interval limits, knowledge that you can use to create more expressive and captivating music for both live instrumentation or sequenced/sampled sounds.

You'll conclude your studies in Arranging: Woodwinds and Strings, the most advanced arranging course offered by Berkleemusic. Throughout the course, you'll gain a true understanding of the sound and personality of woodwind and string instruments, exploring the fundamental properties of each instrument or group of instruments—its extreme range, practical or useable range, and inherent idiosyncrasies. You’ll also learn how to apply this information to actual songs, arrangements, and compositions—and in a variety of commercial music settings, such as television and film.

By the end of your studies in Berkleemusic’s Professional Certificate in Arranging, you’ll possess all the fundamental and advanced skills needed to start or advance your career as a professional arranger.