Intro to Orchestration Part 2: Elements of Craft

[NiclasThobaben]

To the inner ear: are you able to read scores by stravinsky (that you not know) and hear it in your mind? I'm able to imagine just a few voices, but also the harmonys are difficult for me to hear.

[OrchestrationOnline]

@NiclasThobaben It's the same for any score - the eye picks out the fundamentals and applies them to the inner ear. That's why it's so important to recognize doublings, textures, dynamic levels, and so on. Then you get a cumulative picture to which you apply what you see in the bass, middle range, and treble. The clearer the score, the more accurate your perception. The more complex visually, the less comprehensive. That is why ear-training is a lifelong pursuit.

[Sixalienasa]

Hi Thomas I like your Vids, I am just getting into Orchestration and it is great to be able to learn something of it at the pace you set. Thank you. By the way are you Jewish? I ask because of your comment of ' Wandering around in the desert ' you made in Video 1.

[alphabet661]

One tip for those using computer notation software. ALWAYS save you score with CUES and another WITHOUT. As it has been stated in the video, notes and bars can go missing usually when you cue. Also, when you add in dynamics sometimes the dynamic is attached to the wrong staff (at least in Sibelius). This means you may want those violins to hit a forte while the horns are vewry soft but because of this peculiarity of Sib you could have the horns blasting away on the wrong note.

[OrchestrationOnline]

@alphabet661 The concern about misplaced dynamics has largely been addressed by Sibelius with their new (and long, long, loooooonnnnnng overdue) feature of magnetic slurs and dynamics. The arranger will be less likely to inadvertently maladjust a dynamic if there's no reason to readjust its position once entered to the score. Yet it still can happen.

As to the issue of cues, I haven't even begun to address this, but I hope to someday soon in a planned series on score preparation. Stay posted.

[pvorsouw]

Thank you for the vids. As I'm just entering the world of classical music, orchestrations and scoring, having a personal tutor giving tips and tricks here, is very helpfull, educational and also motivating! Greetings from The Netherlands

[imthebrother]

I first begin self-teaching different instruments from keyboards to the guitar before I took up trumpet in 7th grade. Then came back again self-teaching myself other instruments too like all the brass instruments, the percussion, etc. while in high school. That's when later I first learn how to conduct and all of that from my then high school band instructor and a few friends who were drum majors/majorettes. My early introducition to orchestration and arranging begin early in freshman year.

[MichaelBakrnchev1989]

@DillonB1234 Don't let it get you down man, this bloke is just giving us his best advice and tips - he's not at all saying that it isn't possible - just that it won't happen overnight, that you need to work at it for a long time, then the positive opportunities will start to show, trust me.

[imthebrother]

For me honestly since I'm classically trained and had private lessons on trumpet and music theory, now I'm all prepared to do what it takes 2 begin private lessons on orchestration, composing and theory. I had to take it up one step at a time and I'll get it. That's with any other type of skill or trade.

[keman25]

Thanks a lot for these great lessons!

May I ask you - if you have some time of course - an opinion on my piece "Homeward" (you can find it on my youtube channel), especially concerning the orchestration?

[DillonB1234]

wow. I have a huge passion for scoring and everything. And while this series is really helpful, it's kinda destroying my passion for my dreams :S

It just seems like theres so much to know and that I will never know enough/be good enough. (I've only had a couple years of formal piano training, the rest has been by ear)

I feel I have talent, and a passion. But this series is making me think if it will ever be possible for me to get into film scoring with such little training :(

[OrchestrationOnline]

@DillonB1234 Reality check, Dillon - you are trying to eat the whole cake in 5 minutes, instead of one slice per day. Your tracks are as good as any other 18-year-old composer on YouTube - so what are you worried about? For my part, I'm actually happy to know that I am challenging you to reach higher than you thought you needed to, and you should be aware that something as precious as being a pro is worthy of dedicating your whole life's effort. So get back to work now, please.

[DillonB1234]

@OrchestrationOnline Thanks for the encouragment. I didn't mean my comment to come across as criticism to your videos. I understand that you're trying to teach all there is to know and I AM grateful for that. But in your opinion is it possible for me to "self teach" myself to the point of being a pro? Considering I only have a couple years training on piano and that's it?

Thanks for replying so quickly, I do appreciate the series, it's just very daunting thats all

[OrchestrationOnline]

@DillonB1234 No worries, no offense taken. Buck up, be glad for the gifts and the dream you have, and use whatever you find out there in the world to make those gifts and dreams a reality, not a burden.

As to being a pro, it's a matter of which discipline. You are young enough to eventually do anything - 30 years old is the equivalent of infancy for a composer, 18 years is embryonic. You have more time than you think - what you need is patience and courage.

P.S. - I taught myself from age 13.

[DillonB1234]

@OrchestrationOnline I understand what you're saying and I know I'm still very young. It's just alot to learn and while I know that I COULD learn it all in my lifetime, it's just a scary thought that even if I become a "pro" that it will be extremely hard to find and keep a job in the industry. Those kinds of thoughts are what's holding me back right now. I know my future is in my hands at this point in my life, and while I have a huge passion, I cant help but doubt myself sometimes :S

[OrchestrationOnline]

@DillonB1234 Well...your doubts are your business, but your progress is the world's business. Take your pick. Nothing worth doing is easy.

[DillonB1234]

@OrchestrationOnline wow strong words...thanks a lot for being straight with me. I'm going to try and take things one step at a time, and learn as many new skills as I can.

[lovesGenet]

. there are whole sections of Strav very diff to read as well as others. An avid music lover i always tried to find scores since I started violin as a kid..RavelDaphne&C and Strav rite of Spring I bought way before I ever thought I would write music for more than just piano.Mozart,Beeth,Brahms symp,Holsts ,Sibelius.I have a good library. Will I have the imagination - Birthwhistle or Tooveh .I'm setting poems of Rita dove ,EmilyD, A.Tate, . No re-inventing da wheel!

[MikeyIV]

Great video. I was hoping though that you would talk about instrument ranges, which instruments double each other usually, how to get certain sounds, etc. Basically how to flesh out an idea. It's like I hear the finished product in my head but I'm not sure how to create it!

[OrchestrationOnline]

@MikeyIV Well, there's only so much I can say in ten minutes! And these videos take time to make as well. But don't worry, I will get around to all of that someday, and also check out my segments on orchestration manuals, which contain much of the info you seek.

[Dread098]

This is quite amazing, thank you very much =)

[moevans2]

what do you recommend for 'inner ear' development? Do you recommend relative pitch courses?

[OrchestrationOnline]

Rhythmic dictation, sight-singing, and a whole lot of score-reading and listening to every piece of orchestral music you can get your hands on.

[Goblin3000]

GOOD STUFF MAN, REALLY HELPFUL