Arrangements are clothes for your voice to wear
A stylist starts with the naked body. You start with your a capella voice.
The stylist figures out which clothing will flatter the naked body and hide any flaws.
Mark’s analogy is a powerful tool for singers. With your song arrangements, you decide which instruments best compliment your sound and how other elements of arranging can let your voice shine.
In this episode, Mark teaches key elements of song arranging by looking at two contrasting arrangements of the same song.
You can learn how to choose song arrangements that highlight your best vocal qualities with Mark’s concrete examples.
When it comes to learning a new musical concept, it always helps to hear the concept being demonstrated. This is why we are so glad to be offering this podcast, which includes musical examples of the concepts Mark teaches.
Another thing we love about Mark’s teaching, is that he is so accessible and down to earth. He is willing to let us in to his personal journey – often talking about his failures as much as his success – so we can learn.
By sharing these two recordings, he shows how singers can pursue a different vibe on the same song when circumstances call for it.
To hear Mark’s top advice on song arrangements, listen to the entire episode above.
What is Sing Better?
Sing Better is the podcast that let’s you power up your vocal development with legendary vocal coach, Mark Baxter. Mark gives you the insight you need on becoming a singer, earning money, vocal health, gear and technique. In this season, Mark will cover performance anxiety, song arrangements, how to stand out as a singer, and all the best and worst singer habits as well as how to get your former glory back after a long break from singing.
Mark Baxter has worked as a coach with Aerosmith, Journey, Goo Goo Dolls — and many others. He is the author of The Rock-n-Roll Singer’s Survival Manual, creator of The Singer’s Toolbox instructional DVD, Sing Like an Idol instructional CD. Mark operates vocal studios in New York, Boston, Los Angeles and online via Skype.
