Help with music

[phantom8019]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 6:58pm

Hello--

I am completely musically illiterate. I love music and I am a pretty good judge of what I like, but I have zero knowledge about it. I am usually not interested in learning about it either... I don't know why, but i am usually just content to be a listener. I guess when it comes to music I am a like a little kid who cannot read but enjoys being read to.
Once in a while, however, I come across something I do not understand, and I do want things explained to me. This question is probably very elementary, but here goes.
I have often noticed that a song, take for example the song "Cabaret," has a melody that the actor sings but the music itself is not always playing that melody. Sometimes it does, as the singer sings it, but other times it is just notes or I dunno I guess you would call it accompaniment in the background. If you were to listen to the song without the vocal, you almost would not recognize it, until it gets back to the melody. Does that make sense?
My question is, is there a term for this? Does the composer write this, or did the composer only write what the actor is singing? Is this an orchestration, an arrangement, or neither? Also, what is the difference between orchestration and arrangement, if there is one?
I am sorry if this is really, really basic. I would appreciate it though if someone could nicely explain it.

[singinsilly]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 9:01pm

Hi! Well to the questions that I can come up with answers with off the top of my head, I can offer only that help.
The composer writes the music, the instrumentals you here in the background ya know? He also writes the melody that the actor is singing. A lyricist writes the words to the song. I can't quite think of the term used for the background music (the part where it doesn't always follow the main melody, being that which is sung) but I know what you mean. hmm that's gonna bug me for the rest of the night.
Orchestration is the part done by the entire ochestra (or whatever amount of instruments are used) And an arrangement is typically a rescoring, or in laymens terms an adaption. For example if someone wanted to sing a song in a lower key than it was originally made to be sung in, or when it is shortened to be an audition piece, or to be placed in a medley. Make sense?
And don't worry about it being "basic", lol most professionals don't even know this.
its nice to see someone who purely enjoys music, its refreshing. besides, you're cute, and that doesn't hurt lol.

[phantom8019]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 9:13pm

Thank you for your thoughtful answer. It has cleared it up somewhat.

I like music, but I am ignorant to the mechanics of it. But, one thing I am very good at is identifying songs from the same composer--I guess that would be recognizing a certain composer's style. I can't explain why or how, but it just comes from being a good listener.

But when people start talking about 4/4 time and stuff like that, my brain quickly checks in to the nearest hotel. LOL.