Transforming a completed composition into a Piano Melody Ballad
In a remarkable feat of musical adaptation, pianist Carolina Aguirre Anderson has rearranged the popular song "Answers" into a captivating piano ballad. The rearrangement, performed in two smaller venues where only a piano could fit, aimed to create harmonic tension and texture while preserving the song's focal points.
The rearrangement process was not an easy task for either the composer or the pianist. To effectively distill the song’s essence into a solo piano expression, key areas were focused on.
- Preserving the Melody and Focal Points: The original vocal melody remained prominent, with the piano clearly stating or complimenting this melody in the right hand, while providing harmonic support with the left.
- Simplifying and Adapting Harmony: Dense instrumentation was reduced to clear chord voicings suitable for piano, such as rootless voicings, shell voicings, or harmonizing with 5ths and extensions. This ensured harmonic richness without overcrowding the texture.
- Creating Tension and Release: Dynamics, articulation, and harmonic tension were used to build and release tension. Strategic use of space, rhythmic placement, and voicing zones on the keyboard allowed for expressive phrasing that compensated for the absence of other instruments.
- Adapting Rhythm and Feel: Slower tempos allowed for rubato and more expressive timing. Emphasis was placed on phrasing that supported the song’s emotion, often by using sustained notes, pedal use, and subtle variations in timing.
- Maintaining Balance and Clarity: Since only one instrument was used, balance between bass, harmony, and melody was critical. Avoiding overcrowding by spacing chords and allowing melodic lines room to breathe was essential.
The rearrangement also incorporated surprising elements, such as a sudden change of mode that made the second chorus sound unfamiliar and tense. Additionally, a fast, semiquaver passage was placed in the left hand to maintain tension without being too obvious.
Interestingly, a rhythm from "This is me" from "The Greatest Showman" was incorporated into the rearrangement from bar 25 to add tension as the chorus approached. The signature passages and features of the main production were also maintained in the rearrangement.
For those interested in learning more about arranging and composing songs, Juan Rezzuto's "Composition insight" article (link) is a helpful resource.
[1] Brenden’s piano system for ballads, which highlights mastering rootless and shell voicings, reharmonization techniques, and expressive playing, significantly helped in this rearrangement.
The composer had to carefully reharmonize the music, reducing dense instrumentation to clear chord voicings suitable for piano, such as rootless voicings, shell voicings, or harmonizing with 5ths and extensions.
Juan Rezzuto's "Composition insight" article could provide valuable information for anyone interested in learning more about arranging and composing songs, particularly in mastering rootless and shell voicings, reharmonization techniques, and expressive playing.
