How do I learn musical instrumentation/Orchestration?

Question

I'm a young composer (15 years old) and I've been playing the piano for at least seven years. I'm fairly good at it, considering I haven't had any official practical examinations. I am learning music theory, though.

I compose music for the piano, but I also want to learn how to compose for other instruments, building my way up to an entire orchestra. I want to be able to take advantage of the way the instruments sound, while also knowing what they are capable of.

I have several computer notation programs, a piano, an electric keyboard with different sounds, and an imagination to work with. I know that orchestration and instrumentation are the sorts of things you learn by doing them, but where do I begin learning? What sorts of things should I try to compose first (I am primarily interested in classical music, but I'm open-minded)? Are there websites with guides on this topic?

Answer 1

First off, continue with theory lessons, they will help you immensely. Second, you should consider the tone/range of each instrument you're trying to compose for. For example, a violin will have a range from around middle C on up. A double bass will obviously be in the bass range. Knowing the ranges of your instruments will be essential to composing for them. Once you get some practice into composing, you should think about the tonality of the instrument. Some instruments played together may not sound right in that part of the piece you're composing. Listen to some symphonies or compositions and see if you can pick out what instruments play when.

For starters, maybe writing a piece for piano trios or a string quartet of 1st violin, 2nd violin, viola and cello? Since piano is a bit different from strings, I suggest listening to violin concertos by Mozart. One thing I did was to take some of Bach's works on the piano and split it into two parts, one for melody and one for harmony for violin. That way, you get an idea of how to organize playable melodies for both parts as well as how to harmonize. I suggest taking all the theory level courses, as it will definately help your composition skills.

May I suggest by first writing a melody for the violin, then adding harmonies and counterpoint? This tends to be the first thing that composers do, and they work from their simple melody into something more elaborate and for more instruments.

As for programs, there is a simple program called Anvil studio, look it up on download.com. It helps you compose multi-part songs and you can even add effects and a drum section if you so desire. It's a free download and has no spyware/adware.

Good luck, fellow musician and composer!

Answer 2

It's like learning a new language: you can't progress until you learn the basics of grammar. If someone were to try and learn 4 languages simultaneously, you'd expect them to make very slow progress in each. The same is true with musical instruments, whereas the the same grammar (theory) rules apply to all, but the vocabulary is entirely different for each. The only use in attempting 4 instruments at the same time is to help determine the 1 instrument the student truly enjoys playing. At 14, there's plenty of time for the other 3.

Answer 3

You might try to see if you can line up interviews with good players of each instrument (and here I mean truly good, not, Oh I played for two weeks in elementary school), they can tell you alot about the instrument, for example, the range, awkward fingering transitions, awkward slurs (harmonics can get in the way sometimes), best registers, what tone colors each register tends to have, etc....

For example, our University has a really good composer, except he always writes music up in the third octave of the flute (which is fine) and then repeats the material, teling us to take it up an octave (You don't want to hear a flute fourth octave F, I guarantee you!).

You can usually tell when somebody is writing for instruments they don't know, because it doesn't sit well with the instrument (even when passages are eceedingly difficult and challenging, they still work with the instrument and not against).

The mark of a truly good composer, is that they learn enough about the instruments they compose with, to be able to make all the music they write work with the instruments they are writing for!

Answer 4

I don't know any websites, but you can always talk to your school's orchestra or band teacher. They will probably be more than willing to help another musician along. Even if you aren't in the orchestra or band they probably wont mind. Good Luck!

Answer 5

take a music theory class