9678 / 18210 · Workshop 79 — Harmonic Density vs. Melodic Freedom: How Much Harmony Is Enough, When to Leave Space, and How to Avoid “Over-Explaining” Every Note← prev⊞ allnext →
79.109A useful arranging test
Before finalizing any phrase:
play it once.
Then remove:
one chord.
one inner voice.
one bass note.
one extension.
If the music improves:
keep the deletion.
Repeat until further removal weakens the idea.
That is editing.