Arranging strings for a pop-song!

Hey guys.

I really need some help here.. I'm currently arranging strings for a danish pop-singer, and this track is very much like Christina Aguileras "Hurt".

Very dramatic down-tempo ballade.

Its gonna be recorded with a full - wellplaying - pop-band (gtr/piano/bass/drums/backing vocals) and then the strings will be layed on afterwards by top-top-pro players from the danish radio.

I've asked for 2 violins, 1 viola and a cello.

The form is like;

Intro (piano/vocal)

1. Verse (piano/vocal)

1. Bridge (same)

1. Chorus (same)

(interlude between 1. chorus and 2. verse)

2. verse (entire band comes in here)

bridge

2. chorus

C-part (that goes crazy, and ends up quiet!)

Last chorus and ending.

Pretty typical pop-scheme.

So far i've arranged the strings to first enter (they play a TINY role in the intro), at the first bridge up to first chorus, and the first chorus is beautiful spread-out harmonies in the strings. (no doubling)

A solo violin between 1.chorus and 2.verse.

I'm done with the C-part aswell, but the rest is non-existing.

I really need some input here, but since i can't post anything due to the track hasnt been recorded yet, and copyright and her label and so on its gonna be tough.

Can you recommend anything? Like famous good string arrangements on pop-tracks? Special techniques? Ideas that always work? Just about anything.

If anything is unclear please ask, and I'll do my best to explain!

Thanks!

Um well, without actually hearing it it's hard to help you with the last section but I thought I meant mention that often in pop music if a string ensemble is used it doesn't actually play until maybe the second verse or so. This works really well, it adds interest and because it wasn't already there, the contibution is hugely appreciated by the audience as they really hear the difference and it also adds to the emotion of the music.

If the last section is "crazy" then really make use of the whole ensemble. Have every instrument playing but don't make the mistake of making to cluttered, have a lot going on but make sure everything can be heard and each idea works clearly with the others, it's a pop song so we don't wanna get too adventurous.

Anyway, hope that was helpful!

Camilla

So, you're composing for a Danish pop singer, yet you have no idea how to write for strings. That's fascinating. Perhaps I'm wrong. Well, if you listen to a lot of pop music, the strings don't play chords surprisingly, but unison. Especially in lyrical sections. Chords add meat, but they're not necessary. That's what the rhythm guitar is for.