The Continuum of Dissonance looks at the intersection of harmonic theory and music arrangingis the process of taking a piece of music and adapting it for a specific ensemble, style, or performance context. choices on a practical level.[Read more...] about The Continuum of Dissonance: A Rational Guide for the Modern Arranger
How-to articles for Music Arrangers
Here are our how-to articles for music arrangers!
AI and Your Music: Leveraging Advantages and Avoiding Pitfalls
Is AI music legally real? Discover how 2026 audio forensics detect Suno/Udio tracks and why the human touch is now your most valuable copyright asset.[Read more...] about AI and Your Music: Leveraging Advantages and Avoiding Pitfalls
Audio to MIDI Transcription in 2025 – How Good Is It (Really)?
AI audio-to-MIDI tools like MT3An audio-to-midi project in development at Google attempting to isolate instruments in an ensemble and transcribe them to MIDI. Obstacles include overtones, resultant tones, conflicts in sonority, and the inability to detect a through line. promise magic, but the 'cleanup tax' is real. Discover why aural transcriptionThe process of notating a piece of music as it is performed, either by ear or from a recording. is still faster for ensembles in late 2025.[Read more...] about Audio to MIDIA protocol for communicating musical information, such as notes and control signals, between electronic musical instruments and computers. Transcription in 2025 – How Good Is It (Really)?
The Composer’s Laboratory: A Practical Guide to Human-AI Collaboration
AI is not going to replace composers and producers, but instead can become a creative ally for serious professional content creators.[Read more...] about The Composer’s Laboratory: A Practical Guide to Human-AI Collaboration
Here’s What’s Great about Dorico
Discover what's great about Dorico, the future of music notationA system of symbols used to write down music. with speed and automatic engraving features.[Read more...] about Here’s What’s Great about Dorico
From Logic Project to Musical Score: The Smartest Path to a Clean, Publishable Score
Frustrated with your Logic scoreA written representation of a piece of music, including the notation for all parts of an ensemble. output? Learn tips for score preparation and export options, and how to get it across the finish line.[Read more...] about From Logic Project to Musical Score: The Smartest Path to a Clean, Publishable Score
From “The Uncanny Valley” to the Ultimate Prototype: How We Use AI to Better Serve Our Clients
Discover how we use AI as a prototyping tool to give clients more options, faster revisions, and a more collaborative arrangementrefers to the structure and order of musical elements in a composition, such as melody, harmony, rhythm, and instrumentation. process.[Read more...] about From “The Uncanny Valley” to the Ultimate Prototype: How We Use AI to Better Serve Our Clients
What’s up with Udio?
AI is a laboratory, not the final stage. Discover why I’ve shifted my arrangementrefers to the structure and order of musical elements in a composition, such as melody, harmony, rhythm, and instrumentation. workflow away from Udio and back to tools that respect the DAWDigital Audio Workstation. Some are: Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro X, Cubase, Pro Tools, Studio One, Reason, Reaper, Digital Performer, Bitwig Studio, Samplitude Pro X, GarageBand (Mac), Cakewalk by BandLab, Presonus Studio One, Tracktion Waveform environment[Read more...] about What’s up with Udio?
Uploading a Big Band Score to JW Pepper
We found JW Pepper's MyScore documentation confusing regarding page formats and output. We documented the process that led to success.[Read more...] about Uploading a Big Band ScoreA written representation of a piece of music, including the notation for all parts of an ensemble. to JW Pepper
Importing Jazz XML from Finale into Dorico
Finale's Development discontinued? Bring on Dorico! We brought Finale xml of a tentet chart into Dorico and scored it for Big Band. Here's our travelogue[Read more...] about Importing Jazz XML from Finale into Dorico
Using Cantamus.app to Create Vocal Music Mockups
Share your scoreA written representation of a piece of music, including the notation for all parts of an ensemble. with ensemble members, or create AI vocal tracks for your mockupPlayback file from notation software that isn't considered a finished mix; a preliminary mix showing the structure and elements of the arrangement for approval. with Cantamus app.[Read more...] about Using Cantamus.app to Create Vocal Music Mockups
Using ACE Studio AI to Create Vocal Tracks or Choral Music from MIDI
ACE Studio has terrific potential for choral composers and arrangers to demoA recording created to preview the content of a show or song. Demos can also become master recordings. their work. Read our review here![Read more...] about Using ACE Studio AI to Create Vocal Tracks or Choral Music from MIDIA protocol for communicating musical information, such as notes and control signals, between electronic musical instruments and computers.
Setting up Spectrasonic’s Trilian for use with Articulation Sets in Logic Pro X
Trilian Bass from Spectrasonics sounds great, but needs some modification to work with Logic Pro's Articulation Sets[Read more...] about Setting up Spectrasonic’s Trilian for use with Articulation Sets in Logic Proacronym short for Publishing Rights Organization, such as ASCAP, BMI, SESAC X
We Compared Automatic Audio-to-MIDI Transcription Tools to Aural Transcription by a Music Arranger
We review Automatic Audio to MIDIA protocol for communicating musical information, such as notes and control signals, between electronic musical instruments and computers. transcriptionThe process of notating a piece of music as it is performed, either by ear or from a recording. tools. They still have a long way to go.[Read more...] about We Compared Automatic Audio-to-MIDI Transcription Tools to Aural Transcription by a Music Arranger
Making a Rubato Tempo Map In Logic Pro X For Use With Finale
Find out how to create a tempo mapComponent in MIDI data defining the tempo and tempo changes in a musical piece or track in Logic Proacronym short for Publishing Rights Organization, such as ASCAP, BMI, SESAC X for use in Finale to create a precise rubato orchestration[Read more...] about Making a Rubato TempoThe speed at which a piece of music is performed, often indicated in beats per minute. Map In Logic Pro X For Use With Finale
Preparing a Logic Pro Session for Notation
How to set up your session in Logic Proacronym short for Publishing Rights Organization, such as ASCAP, BMI, SESAC X for efficient transcriptionThe process of notating a piece of music as it is performed, either by ear or from a recording. into music notation[Read more...] about Preparing a Logic Pro Session for NotationA system of symbols used to write down music.
What Makes a Good Song?
Which do you do first as a songwriter - melodyA sequence of single pitches perceived as a unit, usually the main theme or tune in a piece of music. or words? Here's the answer[Read more...] about What Makes a Good Song?
Why learn music transcription?
TranscriptionThe process of notating a piece of music as it is performed, either by ear or from a recording. is an essential skill for all musicians who want to progress in deeper understanding of what they’re supposed to be playing.[Read more...] about Why learn music transcription?
How to Transcribe Music
Learning how to transcribe music is an essential skill and valuable educational tool. This article shows how we do it at Arranger for Hire.[Read more...] about How to Transcribe Music
Importing Finale into Logic Pro X | Article on the Finale Blog
Begin by recreating your Finale session in Logic Proacronym short for Publishing Rights Organization, such as ASCAP, BMI, SESAC X - then mix1. Collection of individual tracks or parts 2. The process of adjusting relative sound levels, processing and placement within a sonic realm 3. The result of sonic recording and processing in a much more robust production environment with plugins and live recording.[Read more...] about Importing Finale into Logic Pro X | Article on the Finale Blog
Finale Tempo Problems | In-Depth Article
Finale's tempoThe speed at which a piece of music is performed, often indicated in beats per minute. playback can be unreliable under some circumstances. We addressed known issues and solutions in an article on the Scoring Notes Blog.[Read more...] about Finale Tempo Problems | In-Depth Article
Using MainStage 3 as a Finale Output Device (Mac)
Connecting MainStage 3 to Finale adds a DAWDigital Audio Workstation. Some are: Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro X, Cubase, Pro Tools, Studio One, Reason, Reaper, Digital Performer, Bitwig Studio, Samplitude Pro X, GarageBand (Mac), Cakewalk by BandLab, Presonus Studio One, Tracktion Waveform extension to Finale, giving access to a huge palette of sounds widely used on stage and in Musical Theater[Read more...] about Using MainStage 3 as a Finale Output Device (Mac)
Article on the Scoring Notes Blog – Using Finale’s “Tempo Map”
We wrote an article about tempoThe speed at which a piece of music is performed, often indicated in beats per minute. editing issues in Finale software. It's been published on the Scoring Notes Blog, with solutions, techinques and workarounds.[Read more...] about Article on the Scoring Notes Blog – Using Finale’s “Tempo MapComponent in MIDI data defining the tempo and tempo changes in a musical piece or track”
How to Mark Up a Music Score for Revision
Good Markup is essential to the revisionA rewrite or other modification of a musical score, track, or recorded performance process in music arrangingis the process of taking a piece of music and adapting it for a specific ensemble, style, or performance context.. This article presents examples, potential problems and best practices in musical markup.[Read more...] about How to Mark Up a Music ScoreA written representation of a piece of music, including the notation for all parts of an ensemble. for Revision
Article on “Of Note” Blog – Getting a Good Mix In Finale
The article discusses issues, techniques and solutions getting a good mix1. Collection of individual tracks or parts 2. The process of adjusting relative sound levels, processing and placement within a sonic realm 3. The result of sonic recording and processing from Garritan sample instrument libraries in Finale NotationA system of symbols used to write down music. software.[Read more...] about Article on “Of Note” Blog – Getting a Good Mix In Finale
Arrangerforhire’s New Post on the Finale Blog – Aria Player in Logic Pro X
We did a how-to article, using MakeMusic's Aria Player with Finale's Human Playback as a multiA single multi-channel, multi-output instance of a virtual instrument in a digital music mixing environment bank in Logic Proacronym short for Publishing Rights Organization, such as ASCAP, BMI, SESAC X[Read more...] about Arrangerforhire’s New Post on the Finale Blog – Aria Player in Logic Pro X
New Article on the “Of Note” blog – How To Restore Finale Customizations after Upgrade
We wrote a guest post for the "Of Note" blog - "Restore Finale Customizations After Upgrade"
Having upgraded from Finale 25 to 26 to take advantage of many improvements in application stability, speed, graphics performance, and articulation handling, … [Read more...] about New Article on the “Of Note” blog – How To Restore Finale Customizations after Upgrade
Live Help for Finale Software | Screen Share | Tutorial
If you're struggling to learn Finale music notationA system of symbols used to write down music. software, or are under deadline confronting an issue that has you stumped, we can help.[Read more...] about Live Help for Finale Software | Screen Share | Tutorial
Preparing Music for Broadway and Musical Theater – Advice for Composers and Songwriters
In preparing music for a Musical, get the songs notated into a scoring application such as Finale as soon as possible in the process. You'll save $$ ![Read more...] about Preparing Music for Broadway and Musical Theater – Advice for Composers and Songwriters
Article on the Finale Blog – Default Files, Document Styles, and Templates: Making Finale Work Your Way
We published a guest post on the Finale Blog documenting our experience using Finale's features enabling the use of Default Files, Templates and Document Styles.[Read more...] about Article on the Finale Blog – Default Files, Document Styles, and Templates: Making Finale Work Your Way
Orchestral Arranging Case Study
Here's a start-to-finish look at the process of turning a customer's home recording into an arrangementrefers to the structure and order of musical elements in a composition, such as melody, harmony, rhythm, and instrumentation. for symphony orchestra - hear it and see it![Read more...] about Orchestral ArrangingThe process of adapting a piece of music for a different ensemble, style, or performance context. Case Study
Concert Band Arranging Case Study
We did a concert band arrangementrefers to the structure and order of musical elements in a composition, such as melody, harmony, rhythm, and instrumentation. as a commission for the Milpitas Community Concert Band, and a video of scoreA written representation of a piece of music, including the notation for all parts of an ensemble. playback, presented here.[Read more...] about Concert Band ArrangingThe process of adapting a piece of music for a different ensemble, style, or performance context. Case Study
Finale Training | Tutoring | Screen Share
We offer training, support and tutorial in Finale notationA system of symbols used to write down music. software. Get answers fast for your Finale frustrations![Read more...] about Finale Training | Tutoring | Screen Share
What’s different about Finale 2012?
What's different about FInale 2012?
The biggest thing different about Finale 2012 is the ScoreA written representation of a piece of music, including the notation for all parts of an ensemble. Manager. The (Mac) keyboard shortcut Command-K gets you there, to find functions that used to be in File Info, Instrument setup and the Staff too. One tab is … [Read more...] about What’s different about Finale 2012?
What Makes a Great Music Arrangement?
A great music arrangementrefers to the structure and order of musical elements in a composition, such as melody, harmony, rhythm, and instrumentation. complements the material it supports with imaginative harmony1. The result of notes sounding together to create a sense of musical logic or agreement 2. Supporting musical material 3. A sense of musical environment, creative intros and endings, and complementary countermelodies.[Read more...] about What Makes a Great Music Arrangement?
Hidden Texture in Music Arranging
The subject of arrangingThe process of adapting a piece of music for a different ensemble, style, or performance context. is extremely vast and quite interesting for someone wanting to delve into the x's ond o's of it all. One aspect of writing that I had the chance to explore was the use of hidden texture in music arrangingis the process of taking a piece of music and adapting it for a specific ensemble, style, or performance context..
I'd like to share … [Read more...] about Hidden Texture in Music Arranging
