Advice for MDs & Producers * If the drums and bass ain’t happening, nothing is happening. * Keep the main thing the main thing. Choose between melody, groove, or vibe. * Contrast is an arrangement layer. every note is arrangement real estate - Use intentionally. (Austin: read that again please) * Look for tuttis (or deliberately destroy them). * Dynamic range is cheap, but most people forget to buy it. * Do custom charts matching notation to the musician and the situation. Conductors scores, SATB, Lead sheets, Nashville numbers, chord charts are all great, and all fail if given to the wrong performer. * Fast songs take more prep, more rehearsal, more charting, more coordination. Plan accordingly. * Number charts are brilliant right up until they aren’t. * You can never have enough capo chart versions (think CAGED). Don’t waste rehearsal/session time thinking in 3 keys at once—- also communicate to capo or transposed instrument players in their shape or instrument key, not concert (unless they ask you not to). * Take the time to habitually update the charts permanently; you never know when you will need a last-minute sub… * Pros live in keyboard shortcuts, templates, and scripts. Ain’t nobody got time for mousing and doing the same things over and over. * Your rig and your data NEED BACKUPS. Plan for failure at the wrong moment. An important file doesn’t exist unless it lives in 3 places. Ask me about details here… * Be intentional with sending scratch audio and PDFs ahead of time - weeks for complex arrangements; day of is besto for instinctive in-the-moment inspiration. Don't default to autopilot. * Pace the room carefully. Plan sessions/rehearsals to balance the emotional and physical energy of the performers with the material. * Manage the vocal clock. Structure your schedule around their stamina, not your convenience. * Leave room for performers to contribute—until you can’t. * Silence or encouragement in the talkback is better than micromanagement. Half the time, good musicians fix it themselves on the second pass. (Austin: read that again, please)