Introduction to string arranging

[@ralphk.j7809]

This video was enough to get me through my string arrangement module at university. Thank you 🙌

[@pwhitfield]

Haha! Nice one

[@Standbackforscience]

9 minutes, so much useful info in only 9 minutes.

[@bobrv8]

Standbackforscience hear hear - great tutorial Pete

[@nisbahmumtaz909]

Not only do you show what to do, but clear and concise procedures in doing so! Nice!

[@tudore_jams]

Can anyone recommend more videos like this? ie. where someone takes a simple 8 bar arrangement and arranges it to be more interesting. Best way to learn!

[@jhcmusic]

I have a master's degree from Juilliard. I started my professional life doing arrangements for top rock and r&b artist as well as several orchestras in America. And, even I found this incredibly useful. Thx, it's always good to see how another does things.

[@Guitaropenmind]

Many thanks Pete for providing us substantial Musical information in such a crystal clear presentation.

[@vineethrajmenon]

wow!... really respect artists who take time out to share their knowledge.... much appreciated.. thank you - Vin from India

[@BrittanaAnna]

谢谢您，很简洁有用的入门教程，对我们新手刚学习编写弦乐的很友好，思维逻辑清晰，步骤明了。 谢谢

[@bunyaadi]

A very comprehensive guide and explained so even an idiot like myself, can understand it. I have a couple of string libraries and have always been quite lazy in the arrangement; partly because I don't now really the best method so I compromise with what I think sounds good. It certainly gives me scope and another approach to sound arrangement. Cheers.

[@sergeyauts]

It's amazing! This is an orchestration course compressed in 10 minutes! Thank you for this video. It's very helpful for beginning composers! Using different samples for each part is great option!!! I've never used it before!

[@aninstrumentalvision]

This is the second time I watched this. Once last year and now again. This really helps the beginner arranger! Thanks!

[@KevinKerrMusicLessons]

I actually have quite an extensive background with music theory and writing and such, but for those who are just starting out and don't know any of that. This is very handy for them to know! Anyone can sit down and play a few chords. But this shows them how to turn it into much more. Great tutorial.

[@Dojan5]

I agree wholeheartedly. I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I learned the basics of piano when I was younger, but other than how to read sheet music and basic piano playing, I'm musically inept. This was very interesting to watch, and very inspiring!

[@effyiew7318]

lol

[@theq937]

One of the most helpful videos I’ve seen in a while, thank you!

[@fredhudson1966]

Wonderful string arrangement tutorial. Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective.

[@smithwoodmusic]

Great video. I enjoy arranging string parts from the keyboard, and this video helps me to understand the ideas that i create.

[@MrTelemuse]

Thank you, Pete. very helpful. I've been looking for this type of instruction for some years. Needed to take my strings beyond block chords, I saw several techniques I can use.

[@simoncroft]

I found this tutorial very helpful, thank you. I have written string arrangements for my own songs for years, but your approach is so logical, it's given me a new method.

[@lesliemowatt4224]

Hi Pete, this video has been most helpful as I am doing a remix of my arrangement of Mary Did You Know from several Christmases ago. I recently acquired some new string samples and wanted to split the voicings up on tracks with separate instruments. I also realized that my string parts needed a little more life bred into them. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@caitiffchoir]

I wish I could "like" this video 1K times. Suuuuper helpful. Thanks Peter!

[@alexanderreyes6874]

I wish I saw this back in 2009 but really I wouldn't have got it. After working with some incredible jazz and symphonic composers for hip hop tracks, reading the step notation helped me see what was going on (that's how us fake musicians read). I definitely will add more obstinate to future pads. Thanks!

[@normvork]

Thank you Pete for making this tutorial. It's really helpful and the best explanation I have seen of how to make midi strings sound "right."

[@MarkMichalowski]

What a clear, straightforward, excellent tutorial. I know almost next-to-absolutely-nothing about string arrangements but this is pitched (hur hur) just perfectly. Thanks Pete! Mxx

[@squeezy99]

This is a great video and answered many questions I had about not just arranging for strings (I'm a beginner currently arranging for a quartet), but also wider application for song accompaniment on a single instrument - in my case, my main instrument, English concertina. Using score-based tools alone I struggle to visualise the relationships between chords and how the performance might be improved - I liked the way you introduced elements such as counter melody, passing notes etc. - having the visual relationship is very helpful, so I'm off to give Logic a test drive.

[@HimShieMahuNiki]

Outstanding - I feel like I leapt a few years ahead in learning by wathcing this short video! Thanks so much!

[@quanganhbuingoc]

Very helpful . Hope you and your family stay safe during Covid Pandemic

[@trylawrence]

Hi Pete, Thank you so much. you have opened my eyes. you are the true teacher. very simple and effective. Once again thank you.

[@jleb22]

Enjoyed this Pete, very educational and interesting. I have just bought LA Scoring Strings, hope to use some of your tips! thanks again

[@mentonova1483]

Many thanks for that video Mr. Whitfield!

[@danieldoesitall]

Great video with exactly the thing I'm always after - practical "bullet list" tips

[@blazeanddaze]

This is so far one of the best musical tutorial I've seen on KZbin! Great job, I learned a lot today from you :)

[@DrTorture28]

This is great. I was having real trouble writing parts for a Violin and Cello, but now I feel inspired or at least have a direction I can head in. Thanks a lot.

[@TheGalant123]

Great tutorial! I learned lots of new things. Thanks for making it, Pete!

[@TheKnightimeProject]

Really enjoyed watching this tutorial Pete - you've certainly given me some ideas to work with!

[@Raventhecrow]

Wow, such a great, well-condensed tutorial, thank you very much!

[@pwhitfield]

Hi Jaisyn, this is Logic. Most midi recording programmes will let you display midi in both 'piano roll' and notation, though the notation part of the programme is often limited, which is why we use specialist notation programmes like Sibelius and Finale.

[@bplabs]

Thank you, Pete. This makes a lot of sense. A good next [step] video might be: 'articulation assignment'. By the way: May I suggest you and add a slow release compressor to the background music track and side-chain it to your speaking track? It's a little thing that I think you'll be happy with. There are many tutorials out there for how to do it.

[@syahmirh6438]

This video tutorial, REALLY change my mindset to positive attitude! Thank you!!! I really appreciate it!! :D

[@bardhan.abhirup]

This was extremely useful and inspiring! Thanks Pete!

[@pauldevillo]

Well done - a great intro to the subject. This will go a long way in improving some string pads I'm working on!

[@2klodu95]

How did this get some any thumbs down at all? I hope it's due to fat thumbs. For a free 9 minute intro to string arranging, this is excellent and straight to the point tutorial. I wish I had checked this a lot sooner. Thanks Peter!

[@DreamlessSleepwalker]

Because this tutorial is done in grid editor and is dumbed down to the point that nothing of use can come from this video.

[@tatybeatz233]

thanks pete ,this has given me a lot of ideas on arranging my beats.I think this video has a lot of views because you did it in MIDI , it may be easy for you ,but its not everyone who knows how to read music in the staff,etc...Please do more stuffs like this in midi.

[@eggbass]

Excellent tutorial, Pete!

[@BillGraper]

The last thing with different instruments is genius! I'm going to try it. :)

[@TomSarracino]

Excellent tutorial. Went right from the begining and very clearly spelled it out. Big help if you have had college harmony classes. So many other boneheads on you tube put uptheirown

[@bunyaadi]

Found this useful. I seemed to already some of the methods although there's a few tricks I picked up from here. Good tutorial.

[@OdinOfficialEmcee]

This has been so de mystifying! Thank you so much! Before my string parts were bassically happy accidents that just happened to sound good but now I have some practical writing theory to help create more realistic and smooth sounding string parts. Would love of you could do the same thing with horns

[@TomKerseycello]

What's up, Pete? I like this video. I'm a cellist and composer, myself, and I think you've clearly and intelligently laid out some helpful tips here for those without extensive knowledge of strings and how to use them. I'm sure you've got a lot of other ideas/textures for strings, too! I'll check out some of your other videos as well. I wish you continued success and fulfillment. - with ardent appreciation for both the music maker and the music lover, Tom Kersey

[@RichardPriceElliott]

I do not think midi can enunciate a string.

[@stkellymusic]

Thank you Pete, I really appreciate you making and sharing this video!

[@pwhitfield]

Learning cello will be really helpful! It's quite difficult to get started on a string instrument so don't be put off if it takes a while to make a decent sound. Some of the most effective things you can do with strings are really simple - like single held notes that have a natural start and finish, and some basic dynamics (getting louder and softer).

[@aninstrumentalvision]

That was simple and clear. This is great for the novice! Thanks!

[@pwhitfield]

Hi - about instrument ranges. In general violins play the higher notes, violas the middle notes, cellos lower and basses lowest. If you google 'string instrument ranges' you'll find more about that. And I agree, if you make lines for each instrument, even if that is a viola sample patch, it should make the pad sound more musical. I think that's what you were saying!

[@carlborsing7336]

Not unless you're an old Electric Light orchestra fan like myself. I usually start my MIDI work differently though, typically with a one hand "spider crawl" type chord progression or regression, for lack of a better word, move notes around, change velocity etc and can't wait to start using envelope automated scripts in my favorite DAW Reaper Kontakt 5..

[@JoelEverettComposer]

Simple, and well explained - Great job!!!

[@volchonokilliR]

Wow. That's what I was seeking for so long! Thank you alot!

[@joecc6]

Very interesting...nice work Mr Whitfield. Joe in Ireland.

[@chicodinamita]

Awesome lesson. Thank you for your time and effort. All the best to you.

[@maxwhite7383]

Love every bit of it. Thanks so much.

[@RomiesStudio]

Thank you Pete, I know this is 9 years old bust still helped in 2018 :) Thanks

[@pwhitfield]

Hi Daniel, Sorry for the confusion! This vid is about music you play into Logic, via a keyboard - midi notes. The Loops packs are something else - pre-recorded elements of audio, like Apple Loops.

[@AndyDrudy]

Wonderful. many thansk for taking the time to make the video.

[@mel0_archive498]

Hey-o! I'm a relatively noobish digital orchestral composer, and while your advice applied sounded kind of strange on my string soundfont (freeware; what can you do?) it was absolutely fantastic advice on creating chords and a stable melody in general for more calming pieces. I tend to find that music with more erratic and predictable motions reflect well on high energy situations of deep sadness or epic sounds, whilst more complex but flowing movements help take that and tone it down a notch. Probably because you have to spend slightly more time considering what you're hearing. Wonderful tutorial nonetheless~

[@thetej2000]

wow ,it helped me a lot sir #respect# ♥️🙂

[@CleisonRodriguesComposer]

Very good sound of this string! In my latest composition for orchestra (The Gaia Hypothesis) I used the Factory Kontakt 5.

[@Sixalienasa]

I like this video but I would love to see a lot more of them. Do you intend to give us further assistence? It would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

[@Prospero30820]

Thank you, this is very useful and I appreciate a lot you share your skills with us !

[@Muzicboy3]

Thanks for the reply Pete... keep making that good music my guy! :)

[@leoDvincci]

Got You..Thanks. I was confused for a while trying to find out the difference. Some cases It seems like a thin line.

[@Tomatofury]

Fantastic tutorial.... Do you have more of these ?

[@DanielRojasSinger]

This is simply amazing! Thanks for the great techniques. Do you have more general voicing tutorials? (I0m a singer and I'm trying to learn about musical arrangement to do a cappella renditions all by mself).

[@pwhitfield]

Hi José I haven't tried anything else on voicing but if you are creating vocal arrangements you will learn so much about part writing! For me, the line is king in an arrangement, where each part should be melodic in its own way.

[@galtesler]

Awesome video. Found you through Gearslutz. Thanks you very much!

[@Fero631]

Although, personally, I dislike this way of composing music, I enjoy very much how you make clear what most beginners (me included) tend to forget: That the harmony is just as important as the melody. Good work :-)

[@1978Allanc]

Hey man , a quick thanks , lots of helpful advice , Cheers Pete

[@JonasLeonardMusic]

Great! I just arranged strings in my own piece of music. I would be very glad to receive some feedback :)

[@DakotonTV]

you should all just have Pete do the writing and recording for you, it saves you lots of time and he's fantastic :)

[@pwhitfield]

Hi Mr Mikomi, you are right, the typical string section is violins 1, violins 2, violas and cellos.

[@FallingIslands]

super helpful. will help me in my uplifting trance tracks!!

[@pwhitfield]

I'm not sure what you mean, if you could tell me a bit more please. There aren't rules as such for which instrument plays which note in a chord, but there are some techniques that make the strings sound satisfying.

[@pwhitfield]

Hi Devon, the reply option isn't there on your comment for some reason. I would have used something really basic for this - Garritan or a Logic instrument. I don't use sample libraries much, arrangements are played live. When I add a bit of sample is it Hollywood or LASS. All the libraries have their unique qualities.

[@devonwau]

Thanks for the reply Pete. I don't know why the reply function is disabled on my account. Sorry if my question was not clear. But I am wondering what vst you used for this particular tutorial. Those strings sound so real. Are you saying that you used Garritan for the tutorial?

[@pwhitfield]

***** At around 7'40 I go back to the arrange window and it shows I was using EXS strings, which would be one of the regular Logic string patches - sorry, it was a long time ago and I don't remember for sure! But it certainly isn't one of the posh sample libraries, just a simple string patch.

[@CharlesK441]

Brilliant. Simple but very effective

[@pwhitfield]

Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment! And I apologize once again for the minute of waffle at the beginning!

[@gregbrookman]

Very useful, thank you very much Pete

[@victornoagbodji]

this is awesome : ) hope you can do more of these.

[@pwhitfield]

Hi Leo, as an arranger, I've sometimes felt like I was writing a core part of a track. Where composing ends and arranging starts is a tough one. It doesn't really matter until it comes to copyright and who gets royalties. In this case, I was kind of assuming the chords existed and maybe it was part of a song, and I was just adding some strings.

[@vazkopl]

So many info in 9 minutes. Just what i was looking for, thanks a lot! Do you know any good VST for strings? It has to be external cause i dont use Logic.

[@ArGyProductions]

Masterful work my friend... and to think i try to play all my melodies when i can just pencil them in lol

[@SanderCurtis]

What VST are you using for your string sounds please? Btw, what string VST do you recommend? Thank you and keep making good videos.

[@IndraAziz]

Very helpful! Thank you for this.

[@Spoolz07]

Really good! Well explained.

[@pwhitfield]

Hi, I think whatever work flow feels right for you is what you should stick to. If we all had exactly the same process we'd sound the same! I start on paper, then play into Logic, then transfer to Sibelius. I think you can import QT movs to Sib and Finale, but easier to work with in Logic I think! One other thing I'm careful about, is that a midi part edited to sound right in Logic, doesn't always look right in notation, so I'll edit the midi for sound, then copy and re-edit for look!

[@HaharuRecords]

Nice,. Can you also make a videonon about some cool ideas of making string arrangements

[@cochi256]

fluid and clear and full of information! you're a great teacher :) also it's great that you've worked with Judas Priest!

[@MartinRaetzJr]

Very good lesson. Which midi-editor do you use?

[@shawndavidevans]

Very descriptive, very helipful.

[@Muzicboy3]

Hey do you have more stuff like this? Teaching with midi notes. I really understand a lot better when taught through midi. Do you have a online class teaching composition like this?

[@Fero631]

@nando1407 The good ol' pen-and-paper way. It trains your inner hearing and makes you really think about what you are doing.

[@pwhitfield]

@alobosk Exactly! Responding to the harmony is a good start I reckon but in many cases you need to also work round the existing melodies. The Incognito arrangements are a great example. I'm going to have a go at a video about working with melodies some time!

[@jordanrokey]

Very helpful video. May I ask what software/program your are using to do this?

[@ElijahRock92]

First off, thanks for the video. It's a great mini intro into string arranging 101. I have a question. I understand music theory and the ranges of each string instrument. Do you know of any materials (books, videos, etc.) that are good for learning/understanding string techniques so that someone can write an arrangement to where it sounds like something you would hear on a real recording as opposed to just pad work? Can a book/video teach me this or does this come from practice and experimentation? Thanks for your help.

[@pwhitfield]

Hi, there are several popular books, and some useful threads on forums like Gearslutz and VI Control and Northern Sounds discussing this. I think you need a combination of education and experience to progress. My technique here and in the follow up vids represents how I approach commercial arranging.

[@pwhitfield]

Hi - I'm just using a standard pad string preset in the ESX24 for this (Logic 8). For recordings I use live instruments and the East West sample library.

[@Doodle92]

Wow, super informative. Helped me a lot, thankyou