Creative Inspiration Calendar
Getting inspired can be a challenge, so whenever you get stuck, try one of the prompts below and unlock your creativity. Finale Music originally published a similar blog post geared toward composers and we thought we would offer a version for arrangers. Once you finished your latest inspired masterpiece, upload and publish it with your ArrangeMe account for customers to find and purchase!
January
Arrange a song that captures an emotion or feeling.
How can you support the tune with corresponding musical texture?
February
Arrange a love song.
March
Arrange a song for a rainy day, St. Patrick’s Day, or a sports theme song.
(The NCAA Basketball theme "One Shining Moment" is a great choice!)
April
April is Jazz Month!
Create an arrangement that incorporates a ii-V-I progression and experiment with alternate & substitution chord changes.
May
Arrange a song in your favorite key.
June
Arrange a song that incorporates your favorite color. ("Red Rain" by Peter Gabriel, "Orange Crush" by R.E.M., "Yellow Roses" by Dolly Parton, and "Blue in Green" by Miles Davis are all under-arranged songs...you get the idea!)
July
Arrange your country's national anthem in a new and interesting way.
August
Arrange a Public Domain song that borrows ideas from your favorite composer, songwriter, or arranger, then make it your own.
September
Arrange a song about Autumn and try to create a section that sounds like leaves falling from a tree.
October
Arrange a spooky song and use dissonant harmonies to paint the text.
November
Arrange a standard tune using an original, creative rhythmic pattern.
December
Give the gift of music! Create a new arrangement of a loved one's favorite song. Much like preparing to write an essay in school, creating an outline is a simple, yet highly effective tool when planning your next arrangement. It helps get your creative energy flowing, provides a solid place to start, and tends to unlock ideas that you may never have discovered otherwise!
Whether you are a composer, arranger, or both, don't miss this free downloadable Monthly Activity PDF page from Finale Music to get more out of these monthly prompts!
