Pro Arranging Masterclass
- 70 mins of Streamed Tutorials
- Access 24/7/365
- Ableton Live Project
- 40MB Bonus Samples
Once you’ve got a fully-fledged groove locked down, the ability to expand it out into a complete arrangement can sometimes seem a challenging process. In this course from Producertech resident tutor and professional producer Jafunk, you’ll learn a multitude of concepts for how to approach this task, from the development of harmony, to the flow of energy and everything in between.
Jafunk uses his recent, popular release ‘Nightlife’ as the example for the course, where he fully breaks down every aspect of the track. The first lesson provides an explanation of the concepts covered on the course, followed by an overview of how the track is structured. Subsequent to this is a detailed exploration of the theory and instrumental arranging, showing how every part in the song is carefully orchestrated into its own space in the mix.
Once a thorough outline of the musical composition of the track has been provided, Jafunk shows how the initial loop was conceived by the building up of individual components, and then how each of those parts is developed through the arrangement. Certain sections are constructed so as to tell a particular story or paint a scene, whilst others are led by harmony and musical ideas.
As well as garnering a good understanding of how to structure a vocal pop or dance track in terms of sections, the course helps with learning about energy management throughout a song and how to successfully transition from one section to the next. The latter goes into both textural and classic dance techniques, such as the use of FX and automation, as well as more musical approaches, with certain instruments also helping to build and release tension.
Enrolling on the course gives you instant access to over an hour of concise and technique-rich, streamed tutorials, in addition to the project from the course and MIDI files for the track, and even a bonus pack of Jafunk’s samples to add to your collection - the perfect set of lessons and materials to help inspire and guide you to making solid arrangements of your own.
Getting out of Loopland - Turning a Loop into an intro
Course Breakdown
Module 1 - Intro and Course Overview
Jafunk introduces the course and the focus track ‘Nightlife’. He then gives an outline of the different concepts explored throughout the lessons.
Lesson 1 - Intro to the course and ‘Nightlife’ - 1.50
Lesson 2 - Explanation of the main concepts - 3.47
Module 2 - Song Harmony and Orchestration
Before working through the specifics of the arrangement, Jafunk explains the harmony of the song, meaning the different chords used from one part to the next. He then shows how this harmony is expanded out to the different sounds in the mix, and the way everything fits together.
14.23
Module 3 - Building up Parts and Sections
This module is kicked off with a look at the initial loop, created with numerous percussive and musical elements, followed by detailed breakdowns of how all of those components are developed throughout each section of the arrangement.
Lesson 1 - Building the Loop - 6.23
Lesson 2 - Intro, Verse and Chorus 1 - 13.07
Lesson 3 - Variation Techniques, Post Chorus and Bridge - 10.37
Module 4 - Improving Transitions
After the placement of individual sections and arrangement of sounds is understood, Jafunk returns to another crucial aspect of production - ensuring a song has flow, primarily by demonstrating the many techniques that help to improve transitions between sections.
17.37
Outro
Jafunk signs off.
0.22
Jafunk
Hailing originally from Australia, Jafunk has brought the sunshine to Berlin with his uplifting and highly musical production, centred around Funk and Soul. His professional endeavours have included releasing music on Unity Records, including a number of tracks with several million streams on Spotify, and working with artists like Mark Knight, Chromeo and Fabich. His production experience, musical style and natural teaching abilities are all very much at home in the Producertech community.