How To Arrange Strings For Pop Songs

[@mean.joegreene]

More of this stuff please.

[@LoloBelo]

and less of the 'today's music is bad' stuff

[@sitartronic]

Yeah!

[@anthonyschultz6801]

Yes please!

[@mrdavies7894]

…and today’s music is bad. 😂

[@twostep919]

Hear hear!

[@martag.4594]

I would love to see more of this stuff (string arrangements etc..)

[@SmilusMusic]

Me as well

[@tfletcher650]

Hopeful that Pierre ends up on the channel more often! He's an amazing teacher and I've learned so much in the past few months on the rhodes because of him!

[@robertpickert1750]

Paul Buckmaster’s string arrangements on Elton John’s “Madman Across the Water” have remained a benchmark for me as a musician, arranger and producer.

[@jeffreywahl4238]

Truer words have never been spoken

[@gbsailing9436]

Tiny Dancer also comes to mind. See my comment above too!!!

[@balsamfir1688]

MORE OF THIS!!!! 10/10 EXCELLENT CONTENT thank you 🙏

[@iamrobfromcardiff5515]

I too ABSOLUTELY LOVE string arrangements in rock music. Drops of Jupiter is near perfect.

[@deangoritz9625]

2024 version of old school Rick teaching videos. Love it

[@stevschlack3608]

Pierre and Rick, unbelievable humble yet both talented as hell. Good to see you together again.

[@todddurbin9006]

I would love to see Rick and Pierre do an analysis like this on any George Martin string score done for The Beatles.

[@ryanpryor2058]

Yesssssss 🎉

[@jamesdavies5466]

This kind of analysis of beautiful compositions is what us music junkies love.

[@rickstadel5285]

! -- Especially them of us what fancy ourselves as someday-in-the-future composer/arrangers ! !

[@TheGeeJ]

"can you explain what is happening there?" "of course, Rick. So Im pressing this key and it sounds good" ... [rick] "wow" ❤

[@mpritchard]

Pierre's piano videos are awesome. I started watching them after he first appeared on Rick's main channel talking about perfect pitch. Most of his lessons are aspirational at this point in my learning curve, but I still love them.

[@mathumphreys]

Oh wow - Pierre is great!! So happy to see him on here!

[@YAMISOOLD2009]

Oh you made me appreciate something that I never had stopped to really hear before. Thank you for this. I love it!

[@sandmike9884]

Honestly speaking. If it would be the very first video I ever seen on Ricks channel I would never go back to the channel because two years ago I had no idea what they are talking about. After two years of watching Ricks channel and learning from time time I’m able to understand this shit. If you are new on this channel keep watching. Results are unbelievable:)

[@lorenialemas6614]

You make me want to learn piano, I'm 65 and used to do guitar(acoustic) in HS and college. Learned to play by ear by listening to Neil Diamond. Love this song as well. Love you channel glad I fell into it!!

[@jaredkoziol7991]

This dude just instantly being able to call back what was played is so impressive

[@NPCONSULTING247-jy3pz]

Rick is the only one who makes me immediatly put my headphones on as soon he´s posting. Cool teacher !

[@AnthonyAnzer]

oooof, you just hit my heart! Thank you Rick and Pierre!

[@scottleitch2957]

Watching your channels is my guilty pleasure. As a drummer, I find all this quite fascinating. I'm really starting to understand this.

[@Dillygotitbumpin]

So awesome! It’s so hard to find this type of stuff on KZbin from someone who actually does it 🙌

[@davidkyle2073]

Favourite classical pop string arrangers are 3 giants, Richard Hewson, Richard Niles, and Vince Mendoza who helped make Supertramp’s Crime of the Century, Tears for Fears Seeds of Love and Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now (2000) such iconically gorgeous sounding albums.

[@jimcifelli1336]

Pierre is a terrific musician and person. Thanks for having him on Rick.

[@kmonk5150]

That was so much fun! I wish you guys would do more collaborations. Thank you.

[@Joe-mz6dc]

This is exactly what I need. I've been trying to do songs with strings for years! I'm fumbling along because I'm just a guitar player and strings are very complex. I'm just deluding myself thinking that I'm Paul McCartney or something LOL anyway this is awesome thank you very much for this great information. Now I'm going to throw some strings into a new song and there is a 100% probability that my strings are going to sound a hell of a lot better.

[@Taylor-kd6lr]

Fantastic Rick. I love when you do these type of videos. Well done!!!

[@jerrycarriveau1620]

Learning how to listen to music, that's me! 🤗

[@mahkyb]

I'm a pop producer and I love adding strings and orchestral drums into my productions. This video is so awesome and really breaks down more of what I need to start doing. Keep doing more production vids!!!!!

[@JamesVandevanter]

😊it's taken me years not to fill every space. Less can be more.🔆🎵🎶🎸

[@_Alex_F]

I instantly subscribed to Pierre's channel after the first video you made with him. He clearly knows A LOT about music and I really enjoy his piano tutorials. It's really cool to hear you guys talk about arranging. Cheers!

[@karelhoogendoorn]

Same here!

[@alecj3454]

I love Pierre's channel! Hes such a good explainer & teacher. What a great combo -- I hope you do another video together again, someday!

[@TheAbundance]

I learned so much from this. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@Sal_Sorice]

Rick - as usual - great stuff! One suggestion... when you do these instructional videos show a view of the keyboard from the pianist position, with the notes being played highlighted. It's very disorienting to see the keyboard "upside down / backwards" and not seeing which notes are being played. No absolute pitch here :^(

[@kpb58]

Great, great video. Paul Buckmaster was, well, masterful with his string arrangements, providing nuanced string embellishments.

[@alexandreavelar9696]

Thank you both for the lesson!

[@Eric1396]

This is fascinating. There is so much to study from this one song. I'm also amazed by the choice of rhythm for the strings

[@lzrbmz]

very cool, thank you so much 🎻🎶

[@carvetop]

Excellent, Pierre is a great guest!

[@michaelvaladez6570]

Love this segment..because i find arrangements very enlightening ..wether it be classical or movie themes or even classical rock arrangements with the synthesizers..Yes..ELP love this post ! It's greatly appreciated. Keep up the great work !!!!

[@edbarry1724]

I always liked this tune .. now I know why. Great job you guys 😎🤙

[@lakland8603]

I really like these disection/parts breakdown videos. Educational and fun 🙂

[@c1ph3rpunk]

Wow, love his channel, why does it not surprise me you’re friends.

[@jeremycoates3123]

Thank you Rick and everything you do sir!.....appreciate you!

[@jollyvoqar195]

Orchestration is fascinating. Great video.

[@msPaulaA1]

Thank you for this lesson, things are beginning to click for me. ❤

[@Kouros-t6d]

Pierre have a great taste !

[@chriscastellon6970]

Absolutely awesome. I sub to Pierre's channel and it's been a great resource for me as I double on keys in a couple bands now. The two of you together is a You Tube music theory dream team!

[@dougthornton6884]

Excellent !! Love the emotion of musical strings..... Music is part of humanity....

[@gerardoflores5183]

As always something taught. Love your videos.

[@michaelcarlozzi3263]

Paul Buckmaster's orchestral arrangements throughout Elton John's Tumbleweed Connection are marvelous. Come Down In Time is one of the most beautifully arranged John/Taupin songs.

[@marcomarrone174]

Excellent seeing Pierre. A regular segment with him would be nice.

[@HollywoodRecordingStudio]

Woah! Between this and your Ticket to Ride video, today was really ear opening day! Thank you.

[@JonBushell]

Wow. You two are genius,s. I’m sure not just me who envy a sharp ear like that.

[@ransbarger]

Yes! Thank you.

[@aquabot]

Very interesting video. I hope people like it so that you may make more of them.

[@gotza627]

Thank you. Thank you!!!!! and then thank you some more!!!!

[@richardkratt7327]

Incredible arrangement! Thank you.

[@dcontari]

I have no idea what you are both talking about…but I could listen for hours! 😊

[@TorToroPorco]

I would have been happy to hear an alternate single released of vocals with just the orchestral track. Simply gorgeous.

[@JakeJackson]

I love this. So helpful. Thank you.

[@Tracylindilou]

Goosebumps with a smile❤

[@DannyDep17]

Very nicely done guys. My last, which was also my only music theory class was in 1965😳, so listening to the whys and wherefores is much appreciated. Happy journeys 😊🙏

[@swan4163]

Yes, more of this. I would love to see a breakdown of some Maria Schneider arranging.

[@kevinafflack]

Loved this, more please!

[@cherigayles6087]

Paul won his one, and only, Grammy for this arrangement!

[@illusionvii]

The first string section that came to mind was from Sailing by Christopher Cross. Just a lovely composition. Btw, I love Pierre's videos. He explains things very easily and plays great as well.

[@DigitalRackGear]

What a sensational episode .. thank you. More of this :)

[@benjaminpeternorris]

Wow - what I great video. I love Pierre's piano tutorials - it's great to understand what goes into these string arrangements - fascinating!

[@harolddasynth795]

Love this kind of topic and i freaking love this song,sick string arrangement indeed!

[@trackingeurope8967]

love the song, love your video! thank you

[@rjkral]

So good! Completely fascinating! LOVE the strings and their arrangement on Drops of Jupiter, it's literally one of my all time favorites, and I've been fascinated with the arrangement and writing. Do you know where the strings were recorded? So glad they added the real strings to this awesome song to complete it!!

[@maxxenter]

1 year of string arrangements class in 15 minutes ( excellent )

[@JoeCresanti]

Love it! I'm inspired to try an play my string parts / chords different and see what happens!

[@ginandtonic69]

This was fantastic! Thank you .

[@WadeAlanHeinemanMan]

Never heard of your guest, but I like that you present unknown people.

[@localpm]

Superb Video.Just what I needed.👌

[@YaropolkArkaimsky]

Excellent lesson!🙌🎶♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@libracordial]

Paul Buckmaster is fantastic! Would love to see more of these kinds of videos.

[@chrisdodson9747]

More of this please ! What VST strings is he using?

[@MAKEITSTOP777]

I needed that. Thx boys 👍🏼

[@johnlarson8367]

i vote for more arranging how to videos!!!!

[@richardderuiter4612]

Helpful for an amateur/beginner home studio guy

[@eldkir]

Pierre is great. Love this sort of analysis.

[@johncollier9280]

Paul Buckmaster is one o' my favorite string arrangers 'n I especially love the work he did for Elton John's soundtrack to the film Friends. Listen to Seasons...Variations On Michelle's Song (A Day In The Country)...Variations On Friends...I Meant To Do My Work Today...Four Moods...Seasons Reprise. This be some seriously excellent orchestral arrangements on an obscure early Elton John album. Essential.

[@BassPlayerNcl]

Very insightful analysis of voice leading, arranging and tessitura. It’s enhanced my love for this song even more! May I ask how you obtained the multitracks of the instrumentation?

[@djdksf1]

Nice little tutorial! I kept thinking of Buckmaster's arrangements on the Elton/Bernie "Friends" soundtrack, which I always thought was a masterclass in spread voicings and voice leading for strings (well, a whole little concert orchestra really,) and then you mentioned him at the end! Great minds... 😉

[@bertamerman4456]

Such a helpful and informative video..please make more of this! Would love to see a john Williams interview one day!

[@hallkbrdz]

Seems like a topic custom made for Jeff Lynne AKA Electric Light Orchestra (with real strings).

[@slash8729]

Wonderful video Rick. Great content

[@jipes]

Beautiful demonstration !

[@ayosh6856]

More please!

[@chrisrussoroos6091]

great stuff thank you👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@The_Smith]

Wow. great video, as a fiddle player who is trying to learn more about chording (as much as I can with only 2 strings) when it comes to playing second fiddle I've learned a lot form just one go through. Def saving this video to study. Thankyou Rick and Pierre.

[@YankeeFiddler13850]

Another fiddle player here. If you'd be interested I'd enjoy talking about this very topic.

[@The_Smith]

@@YankeeFiddler13850 trouble is I really don't know enough about it to beable to intelligently discuss it! ;)

[@tipetu]

4:31 That is the ultimate 90s Hollywood movie sound.

[@juansalbador]

Rostam is an amazing strings composer!

[@jimpraymusic]

Love this content Rick!

[@attevirtanen271]

What I noticed on guitar many times is that playing the seventh on two octaves sounds extra sweet.

[@JonHarmon-Music]

Amazing stuff!❤ And I love how Rick finds a riff even when he talks. There... Pierre😂

[@jeromejamies3641]

Clare Fischer is/was one of the best string arrangers. He also worked for Prince. Prince never wanted to meet him , he would send him tapes, to keep a kind of good special energy alive

[@paulyb-englishmaninhangzho3609]

Pink Cashmere - exquisite…

[@ejmuzika]

please do this more!