Things You'll Need:
- Music you want to arrange
- Staff paper and/or music software program
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Step 1
Obtain sheet music for the piece you wish to arrange (get a hard copy or transcribe it aurally).
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Step 2
Analyze the music, identifying the melody and the harmonic progression.
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Step 3
Note additional elements, such as counter-melodies, dynamics, important rhythms and tempo changes.
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Step 4
List the instruments you need parts for. Marching bands usually consist of woodwinds, brass and percussion instruments.
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Step 5
Outline the melodic progression. Plan: Which instruments will have the melody? At what point? Where will it move next?
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Step 6
Outline the harmonic progression. Plan: Which instruments will have the harmony? At what point? Where will it move next?
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Step 1
Set up the score on staff paper or a computer music program (such as Finale or Sibelius).
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Step 2
Notate the key signature and time signature.
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Step 3
Write out the melody.
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Step 4
Write out the harmony.
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Step 5
Add dynamics and phrasing.
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Step 6
Scan the piece, looking for: transposition errors, melodic errors, harmonic errors, rhythmic errors and "holes" (parts you forgot to write).
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Step 7
Save and/or make copies of the music manuscript.
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Step 8
Write out individual parts based off your score and distribute them to your musicians.
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Step 9
Rehearse and make any corrections necessary. Have fun!
