Composition vs. Arrangement: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 12, 2023
Composition is the process of creating original music, while Arrangement involves reconfiguring or adapting existing music for specific instruments or voices.
Key Differences
Composition refers to the act of creating something new, especially in the context of music. It's the process by which melodies, harmonies, rhythms, and lyrics are combined to produce an original piece of music. Think of it as the birth of a song or musical work, where every element is crafted from scratch based on the composer's imagination, experience, and influences. Arrangement, on the other hand, steps in after a piece has already been composed.
Arrangement deals with taking an existing piece of music and altering it for a specific purpose. This could mean changing it to fit a different set of instruments, adapting it for a different genre, or modifying its structure for a specific performance. While Composition is about creating, Arrangement is about adapting. Both require a deep understanding of music, but they cater to different aspects of the musical creation process.
Composition is rooted in innovation and creativity, forging new paths and expressing personal or collective emotions and stories through music. A composer starts with a blank canvas, setting down notes, and crafting melodies and harmonies to resonate with listeners. Arrangement, conversely, starts with a pre-existing canvas and tweaks, modifies, or repaints it to fit a new frame or perspective.
While both Composition and Arrangement are vital in the world of music, they serve different roles. The former gives birth to new musical entities, and the latter reshapes them, ensuring they fit various contexts and purposes. Both are art forms in their own right, with Composition emphasizing originality and Arrangement focusing on adaptation.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Creation of original music.
Adaptation of existing music.
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Starting Point
Begins with a blank slate.
Begins with an existing piece.
Focus
Melody, harmony, rhythm, and lyrics.
Instrumentation, structure, and genre adaptation.
Skill Emphasis
Innovation and creativity.
Adaptation and modification.
Outcome
A completely new musical piece.
A reconfigured or adapted version of a piece.
Composition and Arrangement Definitions
Composition
A written essay or article.
Jane's composition on climate change won her the first prize in the contest.
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Arrangement
An adaptation of a musical piece.
The jazz arrangement of the classic song brought it a fresh vibe.
Composition
The combining of distinct parts or elements to form a whole.
Arrangement
The process of organizing or setting in order.
The arrangement of flowers in the vase was visually stunning.
Composition
The manner in which such parts are combined or related.
Arrangement
A mutual agreement or understanding.
They had an arrangement to meet every Friday evening.
Composition
General makeup
The changing composition of the electorate.
Arrangement
The spatial distribution of items or objects.
The arrangement of furniture in the room maximized the space.
Composition
The result or product of composing; a mixture or compound.
Arrangement
A planned sequence or setup.
The arrangement of events for the wedding took months of preparation.
Composition
Arrangement of artistic parts so as to form a unified whole.
Arrangement
The act or process of arranging
The arrangement of a time and place for the meeting.
Composition
The art or act of composing a musical or literary work.
Arrangement
The condition, manner, or result of being arranged; disposal
Provided flowers and saw to their arrangement.
Composition
A work of music, literature, or art, or its structure or organization.
Arrangement
A collection of things that have been arranged
The circular arrangement of megaliths called Stonehenge.
Composition
A short essay, especially one written as an academic exercise.
Arrangement
Often arrangements A provision or plan made in preparation for an undertaking
Made arrangements for surgery.
Composition
(Law) A settlement whereby the creditors of a debtor about to enter bankruptcy agree, in return for some financial consideration, usually proffered immediately, to the discharge of their respective claims on receipt of payment which is in a lesser amount than that actually owed on the claim.
Arrangement
An agreement or settlement; a disposition
Our dog will be looked after by arrangement with a neighbor.
Composition
(Linguistics) The formation of compounds from separate words.
Arrangement
An adaptation of a composition for other instruments or voices or for another style of performance.
Composition
(Printing) Typesetting.
Arrangement
A composition so arranged.
Composition
The act of putting together; assembly.
Arrangement
The act of arranging.
Composition
A mixture or compound; the result of composing.
Arrangement
The manner of being arranged.
Composition
The proportion of different parts to make a whole.
Arrangement
A collection of things that have been arranged.
Composition
The general makeup of a thing or person.
Arrangement
A particular way in which items are organized.
Composition
(obsolete) An agreement or treaty used to settle differences; later especially, an agreement to stop hostilities; a truce.
Arrangement
(in the plural) Preparations for some undertaking.
Composition
(obsolete) A payment of money in order to clear a liability or obligation; a settling or fine.
Arrangement
An agreement.
Composition
A payment of fine in order to settle a (usually minor) criminal charge.
Arrangement
(music) An adaptation of a piece of music for other instruments, or in another style.
Composition
(legal) an agreement or compromise by which a creditor or group of creditors accepts partial payment from a debtor.
Arrangement
The act of arranging or putting in an orderly condition; the state of being arranged or put in order; disposition in suitable form.
Composition
An essay.
Arrangement
The manner or result of arranging; system of parts disposed in due order; regular and systematic classification; as, arrangement of one's dress; the Linnæan arrangement of plants.
Composition
(linguistics) The formation of compound words from separate words.
Arrangement
Preparatory proceeding or measure; preparation; as, we have made arrangement for receiving company.
Composition
A work of music, literature or art.
Arrangement
Settlement; adjustment by agreement; as, the parties have made an arrangement between themselves concerning their disputes; a satisfactory arrangement.
Composition
(printing) Typesetting.
Arrangement
The adaptation of a composition to voices or instruments for which it was not originally written.
Composition
(mathematics) Applying a function to the result of another.
Arrangement
The thing arranged or agreed to;
They made arrangements to meet in Chicago
Composition
(physics) The compounding of two velocities or forces into a single equivalent velocity or force.
Arrangement
An orderly grouping (of things or persons) considered as a unit; the result of arranging;
A flower arrangement
Composition
(obsolete) Consistency; accord; congruity.
Arrangement
An organized structure for arranging or classifying;
He changed the arrangement of the topics
The facts were familiar but it was in the organization of them that he was original
He tried to understand their system of classification
Composition
Synthesis as opposed to analysis.
Arrangement
The spatial property of the way in which something is placed;
The arrangement of the furniture
The placement of the chairs
Composition
The arrangement and flow of elements in a picture.
Arrangement
A piece of music that has been adapted for performance by a particular set of voices or instruments
Composition
(object-oriented programming) Way to combine simple objects or data types into more complex ones.
Arrangement
The act of arranging and adapting a piece of music
Composition
The act or art of composing, or forming a whole or integral, by placing together and uniting different things, parts, or ingredients.
Composition
The state of being put together or composed; conjunction; combination; adjustment.
View them in composition with other things.
The elementary composition of bodies.
Composition
A mass or body formed by combining two or more substances; as, a chemical composition.
A composition that looks . . . like marble.
Composition
A literary, musical, or artistic production, especially one showing study and care in arrangement; - often used of an elementary essay or translation done as an educational exercise.
Composition
Consistency; accord; congruity.
There is no composition in these newsThat gives them credit.
Composition
Mutual agreement to terms or conditions for the settlement of a difference or controversy; also, the terms or conditions of settlement; agreement.
Thus we are agreed:I crave our composition may be written.
Composition
The adjustment of a debt, or avoidance of an obligation, by some form of compensation agreed on between the parties; also, the sum or amount of compensation agreed upon in the adjustment.
Compositions for not taking the order of knighthood.
Cleared by composition with their creditors.
Composition
Synthesis as opposed to analysis.
The investigation of difficult things by the method of analysis ought ever to precede the method of composition.
Composition
A mixture of ingredients
Composition
The way in which someone or something is composed
Composition
The spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole;
Harmonious composition is essential in a serious work of art
Composition
A musical work that has been created;
The composition is written in four movements
Composition
Musical creation
Composition
The act of creating written works;
Writing was a form of therapy for him
It was a matter of disputed authorship
Composition
Art and technique of printing with movable type
Composition
An essay (especially one written as an assignment);
He got an A on his composition
Composition
Something that is created by arranging several things to form a unified whole;
He envied the composition of their faculty
Composition
The act of creating original music.
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony is a brilliant composition that has stood the test of time.
Composition
The combination of distinct elements to form a whole.
The composition of this artwork includes both dark and light shades.
Composition
The elements or ingredients that make up a mixture.
The chemical composition of this solution makes it highly reactive.
Composition
The structure or makeup of an object or scene.
The composition of this photograph places emphasis on the subject's eyes.
FAQs
How does Arrangement differ from Composition?
While Composition is about creating original music, Arrangement involves adapting or modifying existing music.
Is Composition limited to music?
No, Composition can refer to the makeup of any creation, like a literary work, artwork, or chemical mixture.
Do arrangements require permission?
Typically, yes. Arranging copyrighted music without permission can infringe copyright laws.
Is every song I hear a Composition?
Yes, every song originates from a composition, though it might also have undergone arrangements.
Can a song have multiple Arrangements?
Yes, a single composition can have numerous arrangements for different instruments, genres, or purposes.
What is Composition in music?
Composition is the process of creating original music from scratch.
Which requires more skill, Composition or Arrangement?
Both require different skill sets. Composition demands originality, while Arrangement requires adaptive creativity.
Are there legal concerns with Arrangement?
Yes. Arranging copyrighted music without permission can lead to legal issues.
Can a piece have both original Composition and an Arrangement?
Yes, a composed piece can later be arranged differently for various purposes.
Can one person be both a composer and an arranger?
Absolutely. Many musicians both compose and arrange music.
Can Arrangement change the genre of a song?
Absolutely. A pop song can be arranged into a jazz, classical, or any other genre version.
What tools do composers use for Composition?
Composers might use instruments, digital software, or simply their voice and imagination.
Can Composition be taught?
While techniques can be taught, originality and creativity come from individual experiences and influences.
Do composers always write the lyrics in a Composition?
Not always. Some composers focus only on the melody and music, while others or collaborators may write the lyrics.
Why are arrangements necessary?
Arrangements make compositions suitable for different instruments, settings, or performance requirements.
How long does it take to create a Composition?
It varies. Some compositions are crafted quickly, while others might take years.
Can a good Arrangement make an average Composition better?
Often, yes. Skillful arrangement can enhance or bring out the best elements of a composition.
What's more critical for a movie soundtrack, Composition or Arrangement?
Both are crucial. Original compositions provide themes, while arrangements ensure they fit specific movie scenes.
Are all arrangements a departure from the original Composition?
Not necessarily. Some arrangements stay close to the original, with minor tweaks.
Can I arrange a public domain song without restrictions?
Generally, yes. Public domain songs are free from copyright, allowing unrestricted arrangements.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
