Questions tagged [orchestration]
The study or practice of writing music for an orchestra or of adapting music composed for another medium for an orchestra.
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Why doesn’t the English Horn play higher than the Bass Oboe here?
In Mars, Fig II, there's a large Db major tutti chord. Holst scores this with bass oboe playing concert F4 and English horn playing Ab4, concert Db4. I would expect to put the Db in the bass oboe and ...
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Are there any conventions or usual patterns on how brass is commonly used in classical music, precisely, in a symphonic orchestra?
I hear many people tell me that each brass instrument has its own unique timbre and one cannot be confused with another. However, I often see them used together and they seem to blend together ...
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How does swapping parts affect an arrangement
So, thinking about a typical arrangement structure, from what I know, is built from bass parts to effectively soprano ones. So within a group of instruments, let's say trumpets, you could have 4th ...
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German abbreviations for instrument names in score markings (Deutsche Armeemärsche)
I'd like to know to which instruments are these signatures referring.
And these parts:
Additionally, I'd like to how to use this score music. This book is titled as "Particell". Does it ...
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How many violins in a Mozart mass?
In several Barenreiter editions of string quartets, the indication Violino I is used to designate the first violin in the score. This makes perfect sense, as violino is the Italian singular form of ...
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What is the difference between an ensemble and a section in an orchestra?
I just got an orchestral library called Iconica by Steinberg which has ensembles, sections and players. The "players" samples are individual instruments but there are also ensembles and ...
user35708
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Do composers arrange an entire score without parallel perfect intervals or is this only when you have few voices and need them to all be independent?
In harmony class one is taught not to use parallel perfect intervals as it undermines the independence of the voices. I have come to completely understand this and see why it is so important but when ...
user35708
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Can there be five flutes in (a score for) a symphonic orchestra?
If I were to write a score for a symphonic orchestra, could I include five separate staves for five separate flutes (each one having its own unique part throughout the score) or is it forbidden in ...
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Multiple Voices in "Rock" Piano
I generally get the idea of "multiple voices" in music such as explained in this question and answer.
Is it also correct that in modern (e.g. non-classical) music multiple voices are used to ...
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When orchestrating, is it ok to double the melody in a middle voice?
If I have, say, a trumpet and a tenor saxophone (among a larger ensemble), and the trumpet is leading the melody in a semi-high register. Can I double it in the middle register, with the saxophone, ...
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How quickly can a [skilled, professional] percussionist switch between tam-tam and bass drum?
Can a professional orchestral percussionist play tam-tam and bass drum together? Could he/she position the two instruments near enough that they can played one with each hand?
The passage...
is loud ...
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Blondie's Heart of Glass shimmering cascade effect [closed]
There's a ethereal shimmering cascading effect in the background of Blondie's song "Heart of Glass" at around 0:35 minutes in
(in E major) and also moments ...
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What should I know before stepping into orchestral/ fantasy music composition? [closed]
I have completed grade 7 in music theory (Trinity College London syllabus). Due to certain unavoidable circumstances, I have to self-study music hereafter. My passion is to become an independent music ...
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How can I learn orchestration for songs (rather than for movies)? [closed]
I'm looking for tips and guidelines to learn orchestration for music (not a recommendation for a specific product or anything like that).
I'm talking about songs or performances that were completely ...
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What is the largest number of parts (divisi) an instrument should have?
I often write music for orchestras, and I was wondering what is the largest number of parts I should assign to one instrument. For example, I'll often write 5 french horn parts, and sometimes up to 6 ...
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