What Does a Musical Arranger Do

An arranger reimagines an existing composition, adapting the instruments, voices, rhythms, and tempo to create a new sound for a piece of music.

How do music arrangers get paid?

Arrangers are paid per job, and the fee isn’t huge. If they keep working and get jobs every week, they can pay their mortgages. Arrangers receive no royalties unless they write an arrangement of a public-domain work.

What does a music arranger need to know?

Music arrangers should have a grasp of how to properly play at least one instrument. They must have the ability to read and write music, and must be familiar with current musical trends. There is no formal education required to become a music arranger, but specific training is very useful.