For Orchestra #12: Bon Jovi ‘Livin on a Prayer’
It’s Friday. And you know what that means… New Music! So here’s this weeks arrangement is Bon Jovi ‘Livin on a Prayer’. This request was by iJustine. She told me that this is her favorite song, and I agree, this song rocks – so I hope you and her all like it!
Preview!
Buy It!The violins on this track gave me SO MUCH trouble I’m surprised I got it out this early as opposed to Monday. The song builds up pretty big, and I learned a few more technique in my writing and music production that are a huge leap in my knowledge.
I knew this song was going to sound good, so I was excited, and if you listen closely there is a key change 3/4 of the way into the piece! This was my first orchestrated arrangement with a key change, and it sounds epic.
So I like to orchestrate in the way people talk. When you speak not everything is ALWAYS loud, or soft, or fast, or slow. As a result, I had the flutes play some verses, and the brass play others, and then the strings come in on others. This variation kept it interesting, and at the same time built up the tension as you continue listening. The brass sounds so awesome in this piece, that I plan on doing more in future arrangements of maybe dropping out the entire orchestra and just having the brass play. I did something like that with the strings in my Michael Jackson ‘Beat It’ piece towards the end.
I like this song because it pertains to me as a musician. I’m ‘Living on a Prayer’ as I start this ‘For Orchestra’ idea I came up with. It’s scary starting something new, but liberating, too. I tend to worry alot (will people like the idea? Will it take off? Will anybody buy my arrangments that I work hard on?). This goes without saying my own questions and concerns in my own life. So just like I’m ‘Livin on a Prayer’ with my decision to be a musician at a time when there are probably other ’stable’ careers, I chose to now start something that has another uncertainty – ‘For Orchestra’. But one thing is for certain: living my life the way I want to, taking chances, meeting all of you, and hearing all the positive reinforcement is what’s gets me up in the morning. I don’t want any regrets, and that’s a life worth living. I’m halfway there 
It’s difficult, but The support has been awesome – thanks!
Feel free to check out my music, or at least spreading it on Twitter, Facebook, or email.You can suggest using Hashtag #ForOrchestra and join us in the Forum!
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Loved it. Another great song! Tell us how you get the orchestra together. Do they like playing these songs?
Well, I produce everything, so yea – me as the arranger and Orchestrator – I love doing these. The Orchestra is amazing, and can do whatever I tell it to do. Love it, an they’re a ton of fun
Few things…
Thing # 1: The random symbols sound is starting to annoy me
(
Thing # 2: I cannot hear “living on a prayer” in this arrangement. It’s just forgettable instruments playing – I can’t recall anything after hearing it play.
Thing # 3: There’s too much going on in the arrangement, for my taste. Piccolos and tubas and strings and symbols and drums and you get the idea. I like the parts of the arrangements where you reduce the number of instruments playing. Less is more, for me.
Thing # 4: Two thumbs up for all your effort in making these.
) Not just in making the music but in putting it to video as well. Kudos!!! With your video lessons and tweets you’re a machine. Thanks for sharing your creativity. It IS appreciated.
Michael
Michael – really? OK – surprised you didn’t think the ‘Living on a Prayer’ part was loud enough. No one mentioned that to me, but I love receiving feedback, and I’ll keep that in mind next time for the recording. Thanks for the kind words – so glad you like my work!