The Art and Feel Behind the Arrangement of Music

Hey y’all!

These past few months, I’ve been really focused on how I arrange the productions I work on. I’ve been asking myself questions like: How can I bring out even more emotion from this track? What needs to be added to get there? What needs to be stripped away?

Arrangement is such an intricate part of music production-it’s where the real storytelling happens. I figured dedicating a blog to this would be a great way to dig deeper, and learn from another producer’s approach.

Exploring the Arrangement of Music with Major Seven

On that note, I had a blast getting to chat with Major Seven and get his take. 

I asked him: “As a producer, how do you typically approach arranging a production? Do you follow a specific process or philosophy?”

He said: “I think that my greatest gift as a record producer is vision, being able to see things before they exist. My approach to arrangement is always rooted in the philosophy of doing what is best for the song. I am constantly thinking about spacing, emotion, and synergy, how to give each sound a space to shine, how textures and colors relate, and how they all move together to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

I make a lot of intricate productions that are detailed and cinematic, but I also understand that “less is more.” I try to find those moments where I can sprinkle musicality or add live elements that bring out emotion. I am always focused on how things feel, even more than how they sound. That feeling is the compass that drives every decision while arranging a production.

Sometimes impact comes from simplicity, like a chorus hitting right after the intro, a slow build up, or an unexpected horn section or key change. There are endless choices, but production to me is the art of making a series of right decisions, ones that serve the emotion and intent of the record.

At the end of the day, I treat every song like a world that has to make people feel something real. Whether I am building from a sample, layering live instrumentation, or manipulating sound design tools, it is all about using technology with soul. That is what connects people, not just what they hear, but what they feel.”

Feel as the North Star of Arrangement

I really loved diving into Major Seven’s answer. The line that stuck with me most was, “I am always focused on how things feel, even more than how they sound.” A lot of times as producers and engineers, we get caught up in the sonics and nitty gritty of that. We can start to lose sight of what actually feels right. I love how Major Seven uses feel as his creative north star and lets that lead the arrangement.

Sprinkling Musicality to Make Records Come Alive

Another gem that jumped out at me was how he’s always looking for places to “sprinkle musicality.” I love when I’m listening to a song and there are those little moments or pockets of musicality- a quick melody I didn’t expect, a cool drum fill, or even a delay throw that gives the moment that extra oomph. Those details make a record feel so alive and emotional. This really drove home for me how much the arrangement of music is a true art form.

Thank you so much Major Seven for your insightful answer!
Catch you next blog!