HOW I ARRANGE MY SONGS

I was recently asked how I "arrange" my songs.  An excellent question which I will attempt to answer as succinctly at possible in this posting.

I write songs for myself.  There really isn't any arrangement involved, other than arranging the verses in the right order, or switching a line from here to there, things like that. I'm generally a solo act, so I don't need anything arranged.   The arrangements you hear on the CDs happen in the studio, when I have the the brilliance of others to draw upon.

Generally what happens is that when I have a song I think is ready to record, I go into the studio with the typed-up lyrics and my guitar.  I'm always happy in the studio.  Always.  I play the song for the producer (on "Home to Home," Ted Tosoff; on "Early" and for my dad's song, Tyler Pearson). I play through the song a few times and the producer gives me his thoughts on the songs.  In most cases the lyrics are left pretty much untouched.

 Ted and Tyler are brilliant producers and arrangers of songs. This means in my case that they can take my solo, singer/songwriter version of the song, and suggest other instruments and sounds that might make my little song into a big song.  They make suggestions like "if we put mandolin in the second verse, then it might be nice to add a solo verse afterwards, before you come in with the chorus for the second time."

I have veto power, but usually I agree with them.  Their ideas are generally far better than anything I could come up with in terms of production.  I trust myself with the lyrics, melody and vocal harmonies.  Anything else, I want help with.

Vocal arrangements are generally left up to me.  I have a knack for hearing harmonies, so once the lead vocal track is laid down, then I get to do what I love most.  I sing, then sing again, and again, and again, a different part each time, all blending together so deliciously.  Few things please me more than hearing good harmonies. The vocal harmonies usually get recorded last, after all the instrument parts are on the track, and after the lead vocal is laid down.  I have to wait to do what I love most, but the reward is oh so sweet.

In the studio, there is usually a chart written, with time signature and chords, for the other musicians to follow.  I don't make the charts. I don't read them either.   I don't need to!  I made the songs!  They're in my head!

The vocal harmonies are not on a chart anywhere.  They all come straight from my heart and I never write them down.  That would be very un-fun for me!

 Did I  answer your question?