If you play guitar, at some point someone has come up to you and said something like, “Oh, you play guitar? Can you play me a song?”
At which point a lot of us do one of 2 things: A) We play them some riff to a song we know or B) We try to be cool and say something like, “I doubt I know any songs that you’d know…” or otherwise do whatever we can to get out of it.
In either event, the end result is the same… and it’s not pretty.
That’s because the problem is that when someone asks for a song, they want to hear something that they recognize, and that sounds like a whole song… not just the guitar part!When you realize that, a whole bunch of new questions pop up –
- What constitutes a “real” song anyway?
- It’s just me, how could I play all the different parts of a song (drums, bass, keyboards maybe, singing…)
- What parts of the song are important enough that I need to play them?
First, let’s looks at what makes a “real song” anyway… and let’s get this out of the way first – you cannot copyright a chord progression.
So just because you wrote some chords that sound good together, that’s not a song… at least not in the eyes of the US copyright office, and your listeners won’t be too enthralled either.
Without a melody, you don’t have a song… period.
So what covers the melody? Usually it’s the singer. Do you sing? No? Welcome to elevator music 🙂
Elevator music is useful because it’s unobtrusive. The melody is there, people can hum along with it, but there are no words to distract the listener from whatever they are really doing at the moment.
Honestly, if you play only a melody, you’ll get more people recognize what you do that if you strum the chords to a song. Who knows the changes to Happy Birthday? Hardly anyone, but if you play the melody people know it in an instant.
So unless you sing, in which case your guitar playing is the accompaniment, you have the daunting task of arranging the song for guitar.
What that means is that you somehow have to play the chords, imply some rhythm, and play the melody – all at the same time.
Sound like a challenge? It is… it’s a big challenge. That’s why a lot of people don’t do it.
Now this isn’t really the time or place to get into how to arrange a song… but my purpose here is to demonstrate that playing a song (or playing what the guitar player on the recording played) isn’t the same as arranging a song so that it can be played without other instruments in such a way that people you play for are going to recognize and appreciate it.
So as you’re learning, listen for songs that you already know and like that you think will adapt well to playing by yourself without other instruments. All you need is a few in your back pocket to handle that ever present question from friends and family…
By the way, here’s a rather extreme version of this idea… (and if you’ve never heard of Tommy Emmanuel, you’ve been warned 😉
Yes, he’s crazy good, and it’s certainly possible to do it simpler than this, but I wanted to open your eyes to what is possible and give you something to think about today.
If you’ve got a favorite solo arrangement of a tune, let the people know about it so we can all check it out.
67 replies to "Playing A Song Vs. Arranging A Song"
Expand the mind Griff, that’s what you do ‘Make us think’ Tommy Emmanuel is an Aussie that has really got to grips with his mind. Oh! Let’s not forget the guitar either. Thanks for your excellent tutoring Griff and for making us think.
Tommy is so damned good. He and finger-players like Jerry Reed will never get the accolades they truly deserve. Most folks watch a player like Tommy Emmanuel to see what his hands are doing. I don’t, I watch his face. Here is an artist who is painting a picture by making his guitar an extension of his soul. I love to see musicians who meld with their instrument when they do a song that obviously means something to them. To me, that’s always been the beauty of music, and nowhere is it more prevalent than with the blues.
Thanks for the link Griff. You made my morning.
Hey Griff. I definitely fit right in the middle of this topic. Thanks for the informative advice and ideas. BTW – Tommy is crazy good…
Amazing guitar the man knows his guitar well. A female bass guitarist said if You can figure out how to play some where over the rainbow twinkle twinkle little star and here comes the bride You could play most anything . I can on the spot without hearing the tune first of just any tune play it . I was told I know everything ,but ,that is not true. I still have to practice . I have been learning with Griffin for at least 10 years. I have a band It seems as i grow older the guys and I don`t do much any longer. Every time we do get together seems i learn something another way of adding or subtracting because it is like math in a way. I believe melody comes last and ties it up all nice
THIS IS ONE THING I NEVER WORRY ABOUT. I HAVE SO MUCH MUSIC SHEETS WITH TAB’S AND CHORDS , I DOWN LOAD.
I PLAY “SOME WHERE OVER THE RAIN BOW” IN THE WAY GLEE DID IT.
I USE TO SING A LOT OF OLD SONGS AT MY MANAGERS NIGHT CLUB. THE RAINTREE
AT LAS VERGINIES ROAD. BEEN WRITING AND COMPOSING MY OWN SONGS SINCE I WAS 16. SO DEJAVU! THANKS GRIFF.
I taught myself how to play guitar, after the one bought for my youngest brother sat in the corner, after he had taken lessons at the local music store and only learned mary had a little lamb. Within six months I had learned all the songs on the, “Play Guitar With The Ventors”, albums and Wipeout. I followed Chuck Berry, and Tommy E. extensively. I found that you learn more by playing with other people and picking up on things they have learned and perfected. This is why I enjoy your lessons along with several others. Its not so much the riffs, or the chords, for any good guitarist knows a good many of them, and, or can play them within minutes once you know your scales, but it is the particular way a sequence is played, that interests me. I no longer play professionally, and have gotten rid of a good amount of my equipment, but still keep an old Fender Super Reveb and a couple of electrics around, but really enjoy my Taylor accustic. I now write songs for my own entertainment. I hear what your saying and remember back when I was first learning to strike a rythm chord, and follow with a riff for the melody and although now a days it comes as second nature. It was not that easy a thing to do. I remember getting home from Woodstock, where Carlos Santana blew me away, and spent hours trying to play both parts to, “Oma coche ma”, (probably spelt wrong), but yeah I get it. It’s great to play the riff, but it’s nothing without the rythm.
Crazy good
Simply…..brilliant!!
Hi Griff, Tony’s brilliant as always inspirational. I taught myself to play the guitar, simply because I have no patience, if I couldn’t play something after a day I became very disheartened and rapidly lost interest but, that’s me down to the bone with everything I did in life. The way I learned was through something you once wrote, if you can hum or whistle a song you’ll find it much easier to learn and play that song. What I do enjoy most is to substitute the voice especially in a ballad for the guitar, in some ways similar to what Johnny A does so beautifully. So when anybody asks me to play a song I play either ‘Moon River’ or ‘Exodus’, I usually get a reply like I known that song or at least, I’ve heard that song before!
Jim, I wept.
Tommy is why I own two Matons, the trouble is neither of them work like that!
Come to think of it none of the other guitars I own work that well either. Maybe it’s the pick he uses. Yeah, that’s it. A $300 pick should do it.
I have the same problem – I have several guitars now, and they don’t seem to have the right notes on them, so I have to go out and buy another one. I wonder where Leo Kottke buys his guitars….
Loved Tommy’s work since soon after I arrived in Australia – late ’70s, maybe? He hasn’t lost his touch in this video. He’s helped developing artists since the beginning. He and his (late) brother Phil did great things in the local music scene. Thanks for the link, Griff. I’m now motivated to dig out all my old CDs (and 1 very early direct to disk), and remember…
… and adding percussion you get to stuff like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4cJ4wviwS8
This sir, is memorizing.
Absolute magic -nuff said.
https://youtu.be/jx_9H8VyS5o
I saw this link of Jake Reichbart’s youtube video of “After the love is gone”…and immediately wanted to sell all my stuff. After seeing THIS I’m SURE I wanna sell my stuff…Ill never get there.
I’m sure many in the group are focused on Tommy’s guitar and hands. But watch the video again, listening to the guitar, but focusing on his face. He’s not performing, this is personal. He’s telling a story and doing something he truly loves. Now watch a Joe Bonamassa video. Same look.
This is all jazz music. How beautiful and so well arranged. Thank you
Walk Away Renee by Johnny A.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IRetoeEecc
Pure good taste.
that guy is my dream to do.
Thank you Griff, Awsome from the great Tommy Emmanual..
If someone asks me to play a song on a guitar I will replay this video..simple.
Michael – Sydney – Chappell Jan 2018
Thank you for this inspiration. Just I may not be able to make my guitar sing and express such wonderful feelings doesn’t’ mean I should not aspire to greatness every day.
Tommy’s pretty fantastic, but simpler stuff is great, too. I studied chord-melody arrangements of jazz standards for a year or so (tab only) and it feels so good to be able to PLAY A SONG, melody, harmony, bass line. Almost like when my mom would sit down at the piano and play something from a music book; it’s like you’re a real musician, and not just a guitar player. Griff’s arrangement of the Christmas standard “Silver Bells” is a good example of a simple, solid, chord-melody arrangement anyone can enjoy playing or listening to.
Tommy was mind blowing. While not even close to that level of playing I have an arrangement of Califonia Dreaming that I’m very happy with. 3 years ago it started with the chord progressions then I just kept adding little pieces here and there. Now it’s a compete song, melody and all, with a few riffs for fun. It’s my go to when someone wants to ‘Hear a song’.
Great player, but after Judy Garland did this song, it was done. Maybe Lady Gaga could do a respectable cover, but after Judy Garland did this song, it was done. Same thing with Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
Seeing this gentleman live is an unforgettable experience. Does the full show and you don’t want it to end.
I had the good fortune to meet Tommy and party with him several times. He is as much a gentleman as he is a guitarist.
Great guitar players inspire. They also show what is actually possible with an instrument which for some presents a challenge which turns into a dream and professional training. Thanks Griff for sharing.
Where should we post a song that we have arranged for the purpose of sharing?
ye should not be showing this to we mortals!!!! dis freaks us out big time! whom amongst us can relate to dis kind of shit!!!! if we could, we sure and hell would’nt be tuned into griff or anyone else on the web,,,,,,
Everybody, just get on YouTube and check out JOE ROBINSON and Tommy E doing “Cannonball Rag” – extraordinary. Joe has been Tommy’s protege for a long time, and he’s still only 21 but what a talent! Of course Cannonball is a Merle Travis tune, so it’s got good genes to start with. I think I recall seeing Tommy and his brother Phil doing this same piece when they were only in their 20’s, in Sydney back in the Seventies. They are great together – there is some YouTube video of them together I think. I always reckoned that Clapton missed a great opportunity by not getting Tommy at Crossroads. Imagine – Tommy, Vince Gill, Keith Urban and Albert Lee – I died and went to heaven just thinking about it.
ChrisG in Tommy’s homeland down South. Oh, and I Love his Maton too. His is a TE Special, mine is a FG100 that I’ve had since I got it brand new in 1972 – the love of my life :))
I have always loved this classic saxophone jazz piece, Harlem Nocturne. It has been covered on guitar from single acoustic to to full electric combos. There are many examples on YouTube. I selected this finger style cover as an example of a solo song that can be played. I wasn’t familiar with the performer and had watch many different videos before I picking this. I felt is was good example well done and achievable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va0QtcKTkbQ
Great blog post, Thank you
Just chucked my martin in the fireplace……. Back to tambourine!
Thanks Bruh
Ben
LOL. Oh Ben, don’t chuck the Martin. Tommy is an exceptional player and embassador for Maton guitars, but that’s no reason to throw away a great guitar. Just keep playing and loving that instrument.
ChrisG.
HaHa Ben I felt the same way. Not to sure whether to chuck it all in or be inspired.I will stick to being a drummer I suppose, those heights are a bit optimistic.LOL
Thanks Griff, i listen to Tommy Emanuel all the time. He is very inspiring.
In my opinion the all time greatest acoustic finger style player.
He does things with the guitar , i thought were not possible.
I saw him in Calgary Alberta last summer.
Fantastic experience, and he is a very nice guy as well.
Thanks again for the inspiration
Griff, That’s exactly how l would play this arrangement; if I played the way he plays. However it isn’t the way l play and after watching Tommy play l am embarrassed to tell anyone that I do.
I,m 60 years old and Ive been playing since I was 14. Ive played with some heavy,s however this guy can,t be human! He play,s the guitar as if it were a full blown HARP!!! Thank you for sharing and bringing me down to a level of humility that I needed. Also a pox on you for making me strive to be that good! dommosay1@comcast.net
I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore!
…if I only had the brains, the heart, and a lot of courage!
I saw Tommy live about a year ago and he puts on a great show. A great combination of talent and creativity. He’s also a lot of fun to watch playing playing blues on an electric. Here her is with Jack Pearson https://youtu.be/IUbt56uKKWE
smokin’ player…seeing him an eye opening experience…taking a classic and rearranging it it done a lot in the blues…got to say that Tommy E takes it to the extreme…in a wonderful way…great vid…thanks..
Chet Atkins was a favorite of mine growing up in Denver. This was waaaaaaay pre video and I thought had had a whole group of guitarists chiming in on his songs. Fast forward half a century or so, and here is TE, channeling his hero Chet Atkins. We saw Tommy in Dallas on his 2017 Christmas swing, the last show before he called it a year. It was a fun show and, speaking of arranging, his Beatles tribute is great. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPkQn5nDTZs Have fun. Now that’s an arangement!!
I met Tommy Emmanuel after a performance at a roots and blues festival. He was unassuming, courteous and took time to talk to a nobody (me) – but put a guitar in his hands and he is in another universe. Guitar is his passion ; his life. No one should expect to play like T.E. but Griff makes a good point.
That’s a bit of a dirty trick, Griff. Knowing I’ll NEVER be able to play anything like that almost makes me want to throw my guitar in the trashcan.
I could do that but my dog ate my guitar!
Wonderful to listen to BUT hard to watch…..has he seen this video???
What’s so hard to watch?
That’s a heck of an elevator that he plays on.
Try… Mike Dawes: such a simple melody – prime example of building/arranging a tune!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwCK1z3wT8g
Thanks, Griff 🙂
Griff , to me that was breathtaking . I have heard of him before , but this was a great performance . He was so into it , and the feeling he showed made it even better . Thanks for sharing that with us . Mike Z.
WOW!
I would just like to clarify that not everyone in Wales can play like Tom 😎🎶
I enjoy playing Christmas songs arranged for classical guitar – they always include the vocal melody as well as the accompaniment.
Thanks, Griff! That was enjoyable to listen to. Ranks right after Judy Garland singing it, in my opinion.
When she sings it in the Wizard of Oz, well, that’s probably the most beautiful song I have ever heard anyone sing.
That, and when she sings, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas in the movie, Meet Me in St. Louis.
Painful, embarrasing show off. He’s the kind of guy sat with his acoustic on the stairs at parties that everyone tries to get past on their way to the bathroom.
Lol. But remember, if most of us saw this Guy playing guitar, a trip to the restroom would usually cost money.
I have my own version of Over The Rainbow, and USED to think it sounded pretty cool! Then You sent me THIS!! Another Busted Dream!! HA!! Thanks Griff!! BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD!!!
There are so many great solo arrangements on youtube, many of them by unknown “amateurs” as well as the pros like Tommy E. While many of these arrangements, like this one of Days of Wine and Roses by Craig Wagner, are way beyond my skill level, they are great to watch and listen to just the same. Sometimes, you can take these great arrangements as a basis for developing a simpler version.
I agree with stamp collecting.
I saw Tommy in concert and wanted to sell my instruments.
He’s so great!
Check out Jeff Beck on u-tube doing “Danny Boy” on Jimmy Fallon.
It’s enough to make a guy take up stamp collecting 😀 I’ve seen this guy on a lot of videos and you need to have some serious talent to aspire to this standard. At least I’m happy in my own bubble, struggling to get things to fit together and having fun.
Mike
THis is interesting… It gives me an idea. It is ” when playing a song, make the guitar sing at least a
part of the song… But I must sing.
I usually go with Clapton’s acoustic version of “nobody knows you when your down and out”. It’s actually pretty easy. If I’ve had a few beers I sometimes even try to sing it. The reaction is almost always “Cool!” or “oh… blues”; to which I say, “thanks” or “meh, you don’t know what you’re missing.”
nice one griff, gonna annoy the neighbours trying to get this right!! Cheers
fantastic im getting more excited about play that song by the minute. thanks
You saved me again…thanks Griff