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  • Wind Ensemble

    Hi,

    I'm working on a wind ensemble composition. Do you have some tips for this ? How can you use saxophones, 2nd and 3rd clarinet, ...

    Thanks

  • Experiment. Do yor own thing. orchestration is about highlighting. If toning is what you seek, experiment with various layerings and parallelisms.

    Good luck,
    Evan Evans

  • I agree: experiment. If you write a four voice texture (on paper or at the piano/keyboard) try orchestrating after you've composed. If the writing is strong then it will probably orchestrate well in a number of different ways. The great thing about midi is changing the channel on any part to hear it in another instrument (to an extent anyway - you will ultimately want to perform it with the final instrument and articulation.)

    Saxes blend very well with clarinets btw.

    Dave Connor

  • As Dave said, and I said before, experiment. It is the only way to originality. The only reason certain orchestration techniques work is because people do them. So do yours, and maybe we'll follow. Start there. See if you have something magical that can break some new ground, before turning into a slut. That probably sounds rude, but I am just being frank (not calling YOU a slut at all).

    Orchestrational technique is a set of preexisting notions. If you experiment, you will cut through the icing on the technique cake, and reach the ultimate goal of fundamental understanding. From there you will have MORE power than an orchestrator in your hands.

    If you ever want lessons on how to achieve that, which is what I teach (self realization technique), I can help from a place of someone who understands all the variables. You can PM me if that's something you are interested in. Otherwise, I'd be glad, as would other forum members, to hear what you come up with, and lend some comments to see if we can take it to the next level of understanding.

    TIPS:
    Layer in parallel for toning. Create atmosphere by way of filling in between the notes (fundamental Ravel method).

    Ravel specifically said when asked the difference between arranging and orchestrating:

    "Arranging is the assignment of compositional notes to instruments ... orchestration is the atmosphere that is added around those notes."

    Yes, it's a little obscure, but it has a fair amount of truth to it. And hopefully it will spark some direction into your "dig".

    Evan Evans

  • PaulP Paul moved this topic from Orchestration & Composition on