How to Produce and Arrange Guitars In A Pop/Rock Song

Much of my time is spent producing pop/rock music. One song I produced ended up with a total of 75 guitar tracks, though the result was not intended to sound like 75 parts. Instead, every guitar is meant to have a significant part to be performed. In this particular arrangement, tracks were broken down and given individual tracks relative to intro, verse, chorus, bridge, etc. However, some parts share the same tracks, as they were very similar in processing, timbre, etc. I hope to offer some insight into how to produce and arrange guitars in a song. In this specific example, the total number of guitars is irrelevant. Each part is performing an integral role in the overall 'ensemble,' identical to an orchestra, only with different instrumentation. This article will read like an actual song arrangement I produced last year.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Some musical experience composing and arranging music
• 6-string electric guitar
• 6-string acoustic guitar
• 12-string acoustic guitar
• Multi-track reorder or digital audio workstation
• Anything else you can dream up

1. Choose your equipment and instruments. A common amp choice would be a (dirty)Marshall JCM2000 or a (clean)Fender Blues Deluxe.
   
   Commonly used guitars used are Gibson Les Pauls, Fender Telecaster and a Martin 6-string acoustic.
2. SONG INTRO 1
   
   (1) Manipulate guitar with ring modulator.
   
   Accents
   
   (2) Guitar accents/single notes
   (2) Guitar accents (5th chords)
   (2) Guitar alt riff 1
   (2) Guitar alt riff 2
3. INTRO 2
   
   (2) Guitars main theme
   (1) Guitar Acoustic 6 string (flat-picking)
   
   Accents
   
   (2) Guitar accents/single notes
   (2) Guitar alt riff 1
4. INTRO 2
   
   (2) Guitars main theme
   (1) Guitar Acoustic 6 string (flat-picking)
5. VERSE 1
   
   1st Half
   
   (2) Guitars Arpeggiated Riff
   (2) Guitars Whole note/single string
   (2) Guitars Chicken Picken Style Riff
   
   2nd Half
   
   (2) Guitars Arpeggiated Riff
   (2) Guitars Whole note/single string
   (2) Guitars Whole note/single string 8va
   (2) Guitars Chicken Picken Style Riff
   (2) Guitars Chicken Picken Style Riff 8va
   (1) Guitar Chicken Picken Style Riff (counter rhythm)
   (1) Guitar Whole note/single string 8va
   (2) Guitars Alt Riff
6. PRE CHORUS 1
   
   (2) Guitars Main Riff
   (2) Guitars Alt Riff
   (2) Guitars Alt Riff V1
   (2) Guitars Alt Riff/single note 8va
   (2) Guitars (Clean) Arpeggiated Riff
7. CHORUS 1
   
   (4) Guitars Main Riff
   (2) Guitars Single string (chugging)
   (2) Guitars Melody/single note 8va
   (2) Guitars Harmony Melody/single note 8va
   (2) Guitars HarmonyMelody/single note 8va Doubling previous (2) (distorted)
   (2) Guitars HarmonyMelody/single note 8va
   (2) Guitars Alt Melody/Harmony playing (octaves)
   (2) Gutars 12-string electric (clean)Arpeggiated line
   (2) Gutars 12-string electric (clean)Arpeggiated line(doubling previous w/capo at 12th fret 8va)
   (2) Guitars Keith Richards Style Riff at end
8. RE-INTRO
   
   (2) Guitars main theme
   (1) Acoustic 6 string
   
   Accents
   
   (2) Guitar accents/single notes
   (2) Guitar alt riff 1
9. VERSE 2
   
   **I split the main riff among nine different guitars to create movement
   
   (2) Guitars Arpeggiated Riff
   (2) Guitars Whole note/single string
   (2) Guitars Whole note/single string 8va
   (2) Guitars Chicken Picken Style Riff
   (2) Guitars Chicken Picken Style Riff 8va
   (1) Guitar Chicken Picken Style Riff (counter rhythm)
   (1) Guitar Whole note/single string 8va
   (2) Guitars Alt Riff
   (1) Guitar Alt riff (triplet figure w/ 1/8 note triplet delay) *right speaker
   
   PRECHROUS 2 same
   
   CHORUS 2 same
10. BRIDGE
    
    (1) Guitar (clean) Arpeggiated Riff
    (1) Guitar (clean) Alt Arpeggiated Riff (distorted)
    (2) Guitars (clean) Keith Richards Style Riff
    (2) Guitars Accents
    (2) Guitars Accents 8va
    (2) Guitars Chugging figure
    (2) Guitars Alt riff
    (2) Guitars Melody (harmonized)
    (2) Bass Doubling Original Bass w/capo at 12th fret 8va
11. SOLO
    
    (1) Guitar slide solo
    (2) Guitars Accents
    (2) Guitars Accents 8va
    (2) Guitars Chugging figure
    (2) Guitars Alt riff
    (2) Guitars Melody (harmonized)
    (2) Bass Doubling Original Bass w/capo at 12th fret 8va
12. BRIDGE 2
    
    (2) Guitars Accents
    (2) Guitars Accents 8va
    (2) Guitars Chugging figure
    (2) Guitars Alt riff
    (2) Guitars Melody (harmonized)
    (2) Bass Doubling Original Bass w/capo at 12th fret 8va
13. CHORUS 3 (out) same
    
    END
    
    Accents
    
    (4) Guitar accents/single notes
    (4) Guitar accents (5th chords)
    (2) Guitar alt riff 1
    (2) Guitar alt riff 2
    
    THE END
14. Having been on both sides of the 'glass' I am empathetic to both positions in a musical production.
    
    This, in my opinion, is why it is of paramount importance for the band/artist to locate a producer, in whom they have absolute trust. This element has to be established from the onset, otherwise the production is destined for failure.
    
    The musicians have written the music. They have established a creative relationship and are able to make it work. They have successfully performed their music to adoring crowds. They are now ready to make a record. They have earned the right to be apprehensive about who works with them.
    
    If the producer steps in and assumes the position of 'super-pompous-condescending-know it all', then the band with not and should not trust him with their art.
    
    It's all about establishing relationships and finding new and refreshing ways to communicate. As long as the band can trust the producer to acccurately excute their vision then it's 'win-win'. But the producer better prove himself to that artist. Nothing is to be expected just because he is 'marquee producer guy'. That means nothing to me.
    
    I want to fall in love with the band and their music. I want to wake up everday looking forward to working on their record.
    
    A scenario like this is one that would defy all cosmic possibilities. In reality it shouldn't work. When it does work, it is pure magic!!! These are the moments I live for.
    
    It's all about trust. That's the crux of it.
    
    Behind every great band is a great producer.