Good stuff here! On arrangements, I try to write out the melody first. Then go back and lay down the chords at the right places, usually written if root position (CEG), knowing that if necessary I can change the chord to 1st inversion(EGC) or 2nd inversion (GEC) if it fits the 'voicings. THen I write the bass line which has the usual jumps in it. From there it is pretty much a connect-the-dots as the one or 2 inner harmonies are comprised of the missing note from the triad. Obviously if the song requires a really close harmony with lots of trash chords MAjor 7ths, sixths or ninths like you hear in the blueeyed do-wop I do, it requires a bit more tweaking to keep from having the 3 big problems I hear in poor arrangements, 1 odd lines in the inner parts, 2 parallel 5ths, 3 missing part, ie no third of the chord so it sounds like Gregorian chant on that note. Mind you, all of these issues I also see used for EFFECT by good arrangers, but it is a bit like painting, you need to be able to draw a picture of a horse first, then you can make the horse look odd with cubism. Well I have rambled on enough about that, but would like your thoughts ! jimmyt