Highest Note in a Chord

Highest Note in a Chord In well balanced orchestral chords consisting of several instrumental colours (e.g. a chord that is orchestrated in the woodwind section) the instrument on the highest note will dominate its colour impression. This means that even in a chord...

Doubling Woodwinds

Doubling Woodwinds Woodwinds usually sound more brillant and characteristic when they’re playing solistically instead of doubling the same instruments in unison. For example 3 flutes playing a line in unison in generally sound thicker and slightly louder than a solo...

Harp – Interlocking Hands

Harp – Interlocking Hands Unfortunately, the Harp is not covered in great detail in many orchestration books, leading learning composers and orchestrator to believe that there are not much differences between writing for Harp and Piano. One of these differences...

Written Out Warm Ups for Brass

Written out warm ups for Brass On longer cues that incorporate the brass only briefly and only on some sections of the cue, it is easier for the players if you help them with a “written out warm up” rather than throwing them into cold water by requesting a big and...

Circular Breathing

Circular Breathing Circular breathing is a technique used by woodwind and brass players to create a theoretically endless stream of air being able to play theoretically forever. The technique works in the way that you fill your cheeks with air before your lungs are...