Questions tagged [instrumentation]
Questions pertaining to the particular instruments or combination of instruments used in a piece of music or the manner in which a piece is arranged or composed for certain instruments.
39 questions
0
votes
0
answers
90
views
Why is the contrabass clarinet treated as a "loud" instrument in compositions?
I was playing some contrabass clarinet parts and wondered why there are so many passages where every single bass instrument is playing, minus the contrabass clarinet. The bass clarinet, tuba, and ...
- 121
2
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is it "legal" for a conductor to reduce number of instruments in a piece?
Is it a common practice for a conductor to reduce the number of instruments? I have an example here:
Wikipedia says that this piece by Mozart was written for 4 horns, ...
- 1,626
5
votes
3
answers
909
views
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 ...
- 1,626
2
votes
0
answers
67
views
How can I find music for my instrumentation? [closed]
I am hoping to play the piece Point Blank by Paul Dooley (the large chamber ensemble version). I want to find another piece to pair with it but I am struggling to find something requiring a similar ...
- 509
7
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How to write instrument names in a standard professional way in the sheet music
This question is about how to write instruments names on a score.
On the page at:
https://musiciandevelopment.com/2016/05/16/how-to-prepare-a-professional-score/
it states:
list the full instrument ...
- 73
1
vote
1
answer
205
views
March form and instrumentation [closed]
I'm currently composing a Sousa-style march for concert band. I've made it through the intro and the first strain, but I only have a vague idea of where to go from there. I've played bassoon on ...
- 11
3
votes
3
answers
161
views
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 ...
- 6,222
6
votes
2
answers
287
views
Magic Bells in The Firebird
Is a campanelli the same instruments as a glockenspiel?
Although a literal translation of campanelli (It.) is something like "little bells", I thought that campanelli in an instrumentaion ...
- 14.7k
5
votes
1
answer
832
views
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 ...
- 551
1
vote
1
answer
189
views
What is a "bass xylophone"?
In the instrumentation of the opera Turandot there is something called bass xylophone, but I couldn't find many things about it. What is it? And, since it doesn't seem to be a common instrument, how ...
- 113
9
votes
5
answers
4k
views
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 ...
- 458
2
votes
0
answers
92
views
Transcribing trombone parts - mid 1800s music
I'm preparing some mid 1800s orchestral music for performance and I have some difficulties dealing with the trombone parts. It's mostly 2-part but occasionaly third voice appears (it's all written on ...
- 180
2
votes
0
answers
115
views
Which type of flute is this? [closed]
Which type of flute is used in the soundtrack to the film Stalker composed by Edward Artemiev?
Music here:
- 121
6
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Trill notation with a wavy line
There are 2 trill notations: 'tr' and 'tr' followed by a wavy line.
What exactly is the difference and when is one used over the other?
- 233
4
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Slurs for flute
In writing for the flute when the composer does not play the instrument himself, how does he know where to put the slurs?
To my understanding slur markings for woodwind indicate to play with a certain ...
- 233
11
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What does this instrumentation mean?
I was checking the requirements for a score and saw this.
1.1.1.1-1.0.0.0-strings (3.3.2.2.1) - common woodwind doublings allowed
I still don't know how to read the shorthand for orchestra ...
- 119
5
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Do the instruments used in a piece of music play a role in determining its genre?
I am researching about music genres but I am confused if instruments played in music help in determining its genre?
What could be the differentiating features in genre recognition of music?
- 113
1
vote
3
answers
2k
views
Playing clarinet from saxophone music
I am starting to study the clarinet and have been given some sax music. As both instruments are in B-flat, if I use the clarinet to play the sax music: what must I be aware of? are there octaves ...
8
votes
2
answers
277
views
How does sound design affect musical composition?
For the purposes of this question, I'm using definitions commonly used in electronic music production:
Sound design: The creation of single sounds, that can be used in a composition. For example, ...
- 2,258
6
votes
1
answer
145
views
Renaissance or Baroque pieces with no instrumentation
I found out today that Michael Praetorius's Terpsichore is written with no indication about what instruments to use. I knew that the Art of the Fugue doesn't have instrumentation either, but I'd ...
- 183
16
votes
1
answer
4k
views
What does this shorthand mean?
I was reading an article on the Internet and saw this notation:
3*3*3*3* – 4331 – tmp+3 – hp – cel/pno – cds (14/12/10/8/6)
Then, searching on Google, I could see that this is a shorthand for ...
- 609
2
votes
2
answers
144
views
Is this voicing for Dmin7 right?
I am transferring a Basie chart into Finale.
(A) For a 'Clean' copy and, (B) to study Frank Foster's process.
The 'chart' in question is "Shiny Stockings".
This is an ensemble passage where the ...
2
votes
1
answer
624
views
What is the name of this type of bell?
I'm looking for some keywords I can search for samples similar to the bells in the background of link 1, and also 1:03 of link 2. I bought FLStudio Producer Edition which comes with Sytrus, but none ...
- 159
2
votes
1
answer
469
views
How do I start learning digital orchestration?
I'm a high school student who's played piano for about a decade, and was hoping to learn orchestration. I've written several advanced piano compositions, so I'm familiar with the music-writing process,...
1
vote
2
answers
7k
views
What Gives Modern R&B Its "Sound"
It's probably my favourite genre, but I'm curious what gives it its signature sound. I know syncopation in melodies and the backbeat is one thing, as well as the particular chord sequences that are ...
- 79
1
vote
2
answers
121
views
Number of instruments for the work
So I came along this lesser-known composition by Beethoven, "Cantata on the Death of Emperor Joseph II. And wondered how many instruments did this work score for. Like for example, you have 3 flutes, ...
5
votes
4
answers
3k
views
How Common Are the Trumpet in C and Clarinet in A?
In the wind/marching/concert band world, trumpets and soprano clarinets are always in Bb. The orchestra, however, uses trumpets in Bb, C, and D, and clarinets in Bb and A. I understand that clarinets ...
- 541
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
How do you write an instrumental part for a choir?
I have been tasked to write a score for a choir and instrumental accompaniment. I have the sheet music of the songs with the sung voice and chords, and I do have basic knowledge of composition. The ...
- 13
2
votes
2
answers
408
views
Composing melody for recorder
I have learned a bit about composing a melody using the piano. But then, when I try composing a melody for the recorder – it doesn't sound right. What things should I be aware of when composing a ...
- 155
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What instruments are asked for in this original Sousa score?
This answer by @NReilingh inspired me to trawl the web looking at Sousa music. Feeling that the clarity of orchestration contributes a significant amount to this music, I was pleased to find this ...
- 21.7k
14
votes
4
answers
5k
views
How do I approximate instruments when arranging an orchestral piece for brass ensemble
I am going to arrange Wagner's Prelude and Liebestod for British brass band. I am not sure if it will be a good fit, but it is worth a try.
The instrumentation that I am writing for is standard:
...
- 243
10
votes
16
answers
55k
views
Why can some people play music well who don't "know music"?
I have seen people who can play instruments well, but can't:
Read sheet music.
Do not know anything about music theory.
Do not know the structures or rhythms of sound, acoustics, or the such.
I have,...
- 117
6
votes
1
answer
540
views
What instrument is this and why is it held so strangely and played?
Looking at this orchestral performance of sinfonia from Bach's 29th Cantata (BWV 29), it is really curious to see the trombonists (?) holding the horn/trombone with one hand and the way they are ...
- 522
5
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Instrument Register tone and quality chart
I have been looking for some time now, for a chart of all the different register tone qualities of all the instruments played in an orchestra. If you have a hard time understanding what I mean by that,...
- 763
8
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Orchestral strings disposition (numeration meaning)
It's going to be the first time I'll be trying to compose a piece to be played by an orchestra and I don't know much about orchestral strings numeration/disposition.
I just ran into this Composers ...
- 287
7
votes
7
answers
6k
views
How can I use a trumpet in a pop rock band?
We need to arrange several pop rock songs. The band has vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, drums and keyboards. In addition, we add a trumpet. Do you have any idea, method or example of ...
- 279
9
votes
4
answers
7k
views
How many voices do violins usually play in modern orchestral music
I've been into arranging and composing for orchestral music for a few years now, however, my music is usually fully computer-rendered (ewql), so I don't have any practical limits of how many ...
- 193
18
votes
2
answers
3k
views
When were the Db piccolo and the Eb horn phased out of the wind band?
In many classic wind band pieces, there are parts written for Db piccolo and Eb horn. I imagine these were more common in the genesis of the military band, but now Db piccolo is all but unheard of, ...
- 35.4k
11
votes
2
answers
11k
views
Why was basso continuo not widely used after the baroque period?
I'm studying a string quartet by Haydn. This (obviously) doesn't have a basso continuo.
Why were basso continuos no longer used in the classical period? Was it something to do with the development of ...
- 1,627