When a piece of music is changed from one style to another (from pop to heavy metal, for example) it may constitute an arrangement even if the lyrics remain unchanged.

A significant change in musical style often requires creative solutions and modifications to the original composition. If these changes are sufficiently original and identifiable, it is considered an arrangement that requires permission from the original work’s creators.

The exceeding of the arrangement threshold is evaluated on a case-by-case basis according to how many new musical elements have been added to the version. A mere change in style does not automatically mean that it qualifies as an arrangement.