“Air from Water Music Suite in F”
Download instructions and examples here- Midi Arranging Advanced-Pt 2
Adjust note values
Midi files will write exactly what was played when the music was first entered and for that reason, many of the notes will be cut shorter than what we would like. The amount of editing will be a personal choice and in many cases you may alter the original in a way that is not historically or musically correct. Just remember, it’s your choice and if it works for you, go for it. There will always be people out there taking shots at you for what ever reason so go for the sound you like. Who knows, maybe the composer would prefer your version over his/hers.
SAVE your work
6. Transfer to another score to shift parts for easier playing
Create another score with extra staffs in order to move parts around more easily. Usually one additional staff works but for this example, I have set six lines. First you decide which players will alternate playing the melody. This will enable each of the two players to take frequent periods of rest even though they may be constantly playing. Just a few second parts will make the players feel rested when they again play the melody. I have decided to split the first player’s line with the third player’s line. The fourth part will be played by a flugel horn so that must be kept in tact.
Select and copy the fourth part and paste it into the sixth line.
Now select the second part and paste it into the fifth line.
Re-label the bottom line with “4rth trumpet” or flugel
Re-label the fifth line with “2nd trumpet”
Select the first trumpet part and paste it into the top line of your work score.
Re-label the top line as “1st trumpet”
Select and copy the third part and paste it into the third line of the work score.
Rename the third line “3rd trumpet”
Remove the text in the second and fourth lines
Your working score should now read from top to bottom-
- 1st trumpet
- Blank
- 3rd trumpet
- Blank
- 2nd trumpet
- 4th trumpet
SAVE your work
7. Shifting the work load between two players
The advantage of the extra lines will be apparent for now you can copy phrases and paste them into empty lines so that they can be moved around more easily. Alternate the melody line from the first part with the third part and try to make the end of one part move smoothly into the melody in the following section.
8. Transfer to final score
Open a new and final score with four staffs. Enter all of the final information such as names of parts, title, composer, transcriber (you), key, time signature, number of measures, etc. Save this score under the name “Final Score”. Work back and forth between the six staff score and your “Final Score” to transfer the four lines to the appropriate lines in the “Final Staff”. By placing double bar lines at the beginning of phrases, your two melody players will be prepared to enter in the next solo section and back again on their harmony parts. At this point you should also mark rehearsal letters so that your rehearsals will be more effective. Add the appropriate dynamics to each section and in this case use dynamics only at the beginning of sections. No crescendos or decrescendos in this style of music.
9. Print parts from Final Score
Open a template parts page and enter all text information, ie. title, composer, tempo, etc. Save as TRUMPET PART. Add the required additional measures to this page. Select and copy first trumpet part and paste it into the trumpet part page. Save as trumpet 1. Replace double bar lines and rehearsal letters if necessary. Continue with all parts and double check your work. After checking play back your score and read every part for any errors. After you are convinced the parts and score are correct, pass the parts out and see what happens. Sfter doing several of these mid transcriptions, you will gain both confidence and speed.
