2007-07-25 17:19:52 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music ➔ Classical
Serious-While piano is the basic instrument for any study of music (for almost any music major degree you will have to pass a piano proficiency exam), the more up close and personal you can get to all the instrument families the better off you will be in your composing. While my primary instruments were clarinet, sax, and flute, I took private lessons in French horn and percussion and enrolled in a group strings class. Also I managed to spend some time singing in a men's chorus that performed with a major symphony orchestra.
The point is that by getting hands on experience with the different instrument families you will gain insights into the sounds and problems of each instrument that are sometimes not conveyed or covered very well in your orchestration and arranging texts or classes. Everything you do musically adds to the pool of knowledge that you can dip into when you get ready to write or arrange a piece of music.
While it may be true that you could get by with just knowing the piano, it is a case of the more you know the better prepared you will be to practice your craft!!
Hope this helps. Let me know if you need more.
Musician, published composer, teacher.
2007-07-25 19:40:22 · answer #1 · answered by Bearcat 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that anyone can dictate a number of instruments one needs to know in order to compose. Some people compose quite nicely at the computer. HOWEVER, if you are going to study composition at a music school or conservatory you will need to have a major instrument. (this can include voice). You will also need some proficiency at the piano, if its not your major instrument.
Personally I believe that the more instruments you can play, the more fun you have. This should be a life-long pursuit. If you try to learn them all at the same time, you'll go nuts.
2007-07-28 18:00:40 · answer #2 · answered by jariweiser 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well actually a composer writes their own music sheets and might even add words for their song, theme song, introduction, etc. But it is the matter of fact that you should know percussion, strings, woodwinds, brasses and keyboards. But as I already know you already know how to play the piano. So either way, depending on the instrument you're playing, you can make a music sheet for your instrument. So in any case, you should know all of them if you wish to compose for many instruments..
2007-07-25 17:53:37 · answer #3 · answered by Fire Foe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're going to write music for an orchestra, you can't hope to learn to play -all- those instruments. So you learn to play the piano because it is the most general instrument. You can play any instrument's part on it to help you transcribe the parts. If you're good you can play several parts at once. Most composers play or played the piano, some famously (like Beethoven, Mozart, etc.)
Even great musicians who play the violin, or whatever, usually play the piano as a second instrument!
These days it might be a MIDI keyboard. You could write and play all the parts and listen to them in a synthesizer!
2007-07-25 17:25:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Definitely piano, but If I were you, I would want to get to know a string instrument and a wind instrument. It would help you get a feel for the musicians. I.e. you could try viola, cello, or violin, then clarinet, flute or French horn. Now, I wouldn't try to be too good at them, just get to know what it's like. That experience will come back to you when you are composing. Have fun!
2007-07-26 07:48:26 · answer #5 · answered by maskdmunky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The composition program at Cal Sate Northridge requires you to take one stringed instrument, one wind, as well as piano. This is good, because each type of instrument has its limitations, and strengths. The are good books on instrumentation/orchestration that will help you out in the meantime.
2007-07-27 04:52:56 · answer #6 · answered by mfg 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At least one...but then yuor composition skills would be limited. Say if you only knew how to play the piano, then you can only compose songs with a piano. i guess you'd have the power of voice as well...
2007-07-28 15:57:51 · answer #7 · answered by Miss No-bubby 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mr Knowitall is correct.
If you have the software and a MIDI controller, you can compose a symphony.
2007-07-25 17:28:59 · answer #8 · answered by surffsav 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you don't have to learn alot. You just have to learn how to play the piano. For example, Beethoven only learned how to play the piano and he made tons of orchestra music and opera music
2007-07-25 17:32:16 · answer #9 · answered by john k 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i'd learn to play the Piano first.
good luck!
2007-07-26 05:50:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋