Arranging fingerstyle

[Don W]

I have been playing fingerstyle for many years and have always focused on playing existing arrangements. I am wanting very much to create my own arrangement of some of my favorite songs. I am thinking that the place to start is to figure out the melody on the top 3 strings....then figure out the bass notes then fill in the support notes. I have played a lot in alternate tunings like DADGAD and C tuning as I have played a lot of celtic tunes.
I would appreciate any tips on how to get started on the road.

[RRuskin]

I have done 3 videos that touch on that subject, "Acoustic Fingerstyle Guitar," Fingerstyle Grooves," & the latest, "Band In Your Hand."

http://liondogmusic.com/Products.html and https://www.guitarvideos.com/#!/Band...on/p/208749181

[JonPR]

Originally Posted by Don W

I am thinking that the place to start is to figure out the melody on the top 3 strings....then figure out the bass notes then fill in the support notes.

Exactly that.

Originally Posted by Don W

I would appreciate any tips on how to get started on the road.

You just said it.

[pszy22]

David Hamburger teaches exactly what you would like to learn. Check him out.

[stanron]

I have usually started arrangements working from chords as they contain bass notes and some of the melody notes The range of the melody is important. Simpler arrangements will have the melody within the first five frets. If the key is too low you can find the tune gets in the way of the bass notes so I would experiment with different keys until I find one that puts the tune in the part of the fret board where I want to work. Once you know which key, and therefor which chords, you are working with you don't have to use conventional chord shapes, certainly not all the time. Conventional chord shapes can tie up fingers that you may want for melody notes.

[Andyrondack]

Originally Posted by Don W

I have been playing fingerstyle for many years and have always focused on playing existing arrangements. I am wanting very much to create my own arrangement of some of my favorite songs. I am thinking that the place to start is to figure out the melody on the top 3 strings....then figure out the bass notes then fill in the support notes. I have played a lot in alternate tunings like DADGAD and C tuning as I have played a lot of celtic tunes.
I would appreciate any tips on how to get started on the road.

These are some of the steps I go through, as you know already - play the melody on top strings, make sure you know which diatonic triad chords are available in the key of the melody, learn how to harmonise the melody using intervals played below, so 3rd below, 6th, below, 10th below are commonly used, for a more primitive type of sound try 4th and 5ths below ,try to play an acompaniment note or chord on the strongest beat ( the 1st beat) of each bar, use open strings to move fluidly up and down the fretboard to find the harmony notes that fit. Do some research on chord melody style.
I think the most important skill when learning a melody by ear is to recognise where the 1st beat of a bar is but to begin with at times you may need to look at a basic score.
Go through some of the arrangments you have in books and write in pencil the intervals and chords used and be aware on which beats they are used, this will teach you much of how the pros do it.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Don W

I have been playing fingerstyle for many years and have always focused on playing existing arrangements. I am wanting very much to create my own arrangement of some of my favorite songs. I am thinking that the place to start is to figure out the melody on the top 3 strings....then figure out the bass notes then fill in the support notes. I have played a lot in alternate tunings like DADGAD and C tuning as I have played a lot of celtic tunes.
I would appreciate any tips on how to get started on the road.

Hi Don

Not everybody arranges at the same level they play or sing.

For over 57 years I've re-arranged popular music for solo guitar and singing (or small ensemble).

I've approached people who write good songs, play and sing fine but their arrangements are 'lacking', and have collaborated with them on improving the arrangements.

We often forget about how powerful collaboration can be.

[Don W]

Thanks for the tips.

[rick-slo]

People vary is what music they like. Best bet is to listen to some of you favorite guitar music and analyze the elements in those compositions and
arrangements that are attractive to you. Try to incorporate that into your own creations.

[hatamoto]

Originally Posted by Don W

I have been playing fingerstyle for many years and have always focused on playing existing arrangements. I am wanting very much to create my own arrangement of some of my favorite songs. I am thinking that the place to start is to figure out the melody on the top 3 strings....then figure out the bass notes then fill in the support notes. I have played a lot in alternate tunings like DADGAD and C tuning as I have played a lot of celtic tunes.
I would appreciate any tips on how to get started on the road.

This is similar to my approach too. I usually start by figuring out what key I want to play in, but instead of working out the melody, I work out the chords first. Then the melody.

[Bjbny]

I second the recommendation of David Hamburger. He has a monthly membership called the Fingerstyle 5 and a huge part of the focus is learning to arrange for finger style. Here is an example: https://youtu.be/OwClH6kLdrc