5 Orchestration Shortcuts That Will Save You Time

5 tips for composer studying orchestration!
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[@michaelsheard4522]

Alan Belkin described the oboe as "a bit of a prima donna" (I think I've got the quote right), which is both amusing and useful. "Naughty boy of the orchestra" makes the point even more emphatically.

[@erpollock]

Since I've been going to the Philadelphia, I've noticed Philippe Tondre's oboe playing and it does stand out from the rest of the orchestra.

[@isomeme]

My father referred to the oboe as "An ill wind that nobody blows good." :)

[@alexjacob_composer]

Before pop stars like Madonna existed, the diva was the oboe. That's probably why Professor Belkin calls the oboe a Pre-Madonna.

[@ethanwelk2736]

I played oboe for many years and was never good at it.

[@rkstudios1582]

These are all really great tips! I love that they aren't just the standard tired tips, but really things that seem applicable to you and your writing development! Thank you!

[@timcox5373]

Another tip that a bunch of composers get hung up on (including me when I first started): Don't be afraid to have resting measures. Don't worry about a player being "bored" it's super common for someone to have 8/10/28/etc measures of rest, or even an entire piece (look up "Flight of the Bumblebee on Bass Trombone" to see a great example of this). Your writing and your orchestration will open up when you stop thinking everyone needs to be doing something

[@newagain9964]

Somewhere, a violinist is triggered.

[@skittybee]

@@newagain9964long rest periods are more common in symphonic works. I like it, because it’s a break when I’m usually always playing

[@littlemarmoset]

Solo cello and oboe at the octave in one of the Schumann symphonies is a lovely pairing as well.

[@Botondar]

It's funny how the example at 2:53 demonstrates the John Powell quote "trumpets are a percussion instrument".

[@RyanLeach]

I've heard he's got a real problem with trumpets lol

[@Botondar]

@@RyanLeach he did follow it up with "and nothing else" haha

[@mathiaslevyvalensi-compose5014]

Tip 4 is actually such a brilliant tip! So simple yet so refined! I would love a video about the rhythmic elements found in the brass and woodwinds all over the star wars scores and so many others. When the composers seem to simply fill out the space but it has such an effect with all there chords in triplets, quintuplets and whatnot! Thanks for the video!

[@winknotes]

I love tip #4 and reinforces something I've recently come to realize about my sketches. I can be pretty lazy about sketches but the more detailed I am the better the final result.

[@chc_portlock2301]

Tip 4 seems so obvious yet I can’t believe I’ve never approached it like that, awesome stuff!

[@AndrewUdal]

Tip 2: It’s something I found very interesting but it’s very clearly used through lot’s of very well known music especially as a way of developing a thematic idea. Repeat the same idea in the 3 different sections (or go spicy and do a 4th with percussion and harp etc) and develop it in each new section as a way of stating an idea whilst keeping the piece moving.

[@goldenwater2916]

I love your videos, they're just the right length and easy to understand, thank you!

[@c.s.i.inamerica2420]

I just discovered your channel today and I love every video I've watched so far. You're easy to listen to and present everything a real easy-to-understand manner! Thank you!!!

[@Bitimi]

I struggle with woodwinds for sure. Thanks for the helpful tips! I'm excited to think through, experiment and implement some of these.

[@BhaalSakh]

This channel is a gold mine.

[@alexander.hansson]

I totally agree that Alain Mayrands courses really are a game changer. They really do deserve the most attention and is really an investment. Would love an interview-video!

[@RyanLeach]

We’ve talked about having him on, he’s a busy guy!

[@ZachHeyde]

This is great stuff, Ryan! You've packed some real gems into a concise 5-minute video 👍🏻

[@Qermaq]

Pretty good tips. You are correct about #4 - it's like the difference between food and ingredients.Too often we look at melodies and harmonies as stuff to distribute, a bag of candy, and not, as we ought to, as ingredients that need a little prep before we start cooking. This process forces you to see the music in the line and later it will be obvious where to voice it.

[@FelixPando]

Thanks Alan its help me 100 %.

[@digital_matt]

I feel lucky to have played quite a lot of the staple orchestral repertoire. Rehearsing and playing a bunch of different music got me really familiar with how various instrument combinations sound and i have a sort of sound bank of those with pieces as examples. I do want to say to composers and arrangers out there, the bass clarinet is an extremely flexible instrument, dont hold back!

[@jenssieckmann]

I love these short, concise and valuable shortcuts.

[@DrCorpse]

Great content and tips Ryan. Thanks for all you do!

[@gondiulaurentiu3804]

The first piece of advice about the woodwind quartet is so relevant that it deserves a subscription from the start.

[@TracyLee7777]

Thanks so much ❤❤❤

[@musicfileslibrary]

Great advice. The interplay between melody and accompaniment can be part of the fun. Trumpet over strings is nice but trumpet over brass can also be amazing.

[@musical_lolu4811]

Clarinet's clarino range also tends to stick out melodically in like _mf_ or _f_ so it can potentially enjoy the diva status of flutes and oboes.

[@SimplyChirpy]

I never dreamt that such great teaching could be found on KZbin. Thanks a ton, Ryan.

[@tahutoa]

I didn't know about that "marking the line" thing, but it makes a lot of sense. When the muse hits and I suddenly imagine a melody complete with chords hitting at certain spots, I can only sing the one line to myself _but_ I'll throw in things like an accent on what I know would be supported by other chord tones when I wrote it down.

[@studentmusician2184]

I agree very much with writing the articulations and dynamics before orchestrating further.

[@HeavenestStCyr]

1 Voicing Chords in WWs: See Clarinets and Bassoons as strings for harmony and treat Flutes and Oboes to drive melody 2 Keep families together to support each other 3 Use Percussion more for support and color 4 Mark up your line before orchestrating

[@BaldPerspective]

All great points!! You def can never go wrong with chorale-style part writing.

[@adamtullymusic]

Very Helpful! Thank you, Ryan.

[@willgiam3231]

Thank you!!

[@antonprins7490]

I like the thought of the oboe as a "musical duck"

[@tonkaphilips4674]

This video is so good, I can't wait for more orchestration videos!

[@ibanezman04]

Ryan your channel is getting better and better! Quality content.

[@enrath4078]

I used these tips today for my Theory and Composition class today and it helped SO MUCH

[@keeonramusic]

Amazing pearls of wisdom. As someone just starting out, albeit late in life, I'm enjoying your videos, learning so much and putting everything into practice to get better and better. (Also seeing another South Aussie creator is great too). I'm getting my manuscript book and pencil out. It's been a long time since high school music classes, but it's all coming back to me. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience with the community. "On the shoulders of giants..."

[@erpollock]

Very interesting for orchestral composers! I'm not one, but the construction of an orchestral piece is really fascinating. And how you take from different sources, books, and from John Williams, and use their advice. This must be very helpful for composers.

[@erikbrendeland3445]

So thankful to have your video come up in my video feed. Been looking for orchestration help like this. Thanks for referencing those sources also. Gives me some books to buy.

[@Tylervrooman]

Very cool watching your channel grow! Getting to that 100k soon!! Thanks for the great work

[@SaarangP_007]

Really amazing tips for orchestral music...especially if you are just starting out and don't know where to begin. Valuable content!!

[@henriquevazromano240]

Best video i watched today. Thank you!

[@seekertosecrets]

1:38 So like a duet!

[@detlefkrystofiak3838]

Thank you for the tips, which are very valuable to me. I have a direction to go first.

[@Observation001]

Great lesson! Loving your videos.👏🏼🙌🏼

[@bjanko700]

What a great video! Excellent tips!

[@tskolits]

Love this video. Great new points to think of!

[@vegangames3468]

Excellent work. 💙

[@gavinfrody9976]

This is a pretty cool video! I think we can move past the ideas that we need to orchestrate specific ways like having clarinets and bassoons together and with an oboe melody. If we keep doing things the way we always have then we'll never get anything new.

[@KimberlyKreek]

Thank you so much! Wonderful ideas and played out so logically and easy to understand

[@ericmyrs]

Another thing to think about, is that music is played by humans, not machines. Try to avoid boring generations of cellists with the Canon in D problem. Mid and low range solos can be great, The Game of Thrones theme springs to mind, and so does the Trio section of basically any march.

[@RyanLeach]

🎻 How to Write EPIC Cinematic Strings kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpXHomaphp5kg80

[@BeefisGolden]

Oh man.. This was the channel I was looking for.

[@jose-daniel_martinez-miranda]

Wonderful advice!

[@matthewjamestaylor]

Thanks so much for sharing this, Ryan. Cheers.

[@lastritt]

I have found that the more instruments you have at hand, the easier it is to orchestrate. The real trick is to make sound full and colorful when your budget is too small to voice four part chords in the brass, woodwinds or horn sections. More thought must be given to creatively blend timbres.

[@MrTarlecon]

I felt a complete amateur while watching this - a very important and helpful feeling for a one who thinks he can do all this "intuitively")). Thanks a lot for showing my ego its real place :)).

[@littlemarmoset]

Flute and oboe at the unison is quite nice. The flute mellows the oboe, and the oboe gives the flute a bit more oomph.

[@billwentz5014]

Thank you. Excellent product!

[@cheribarkman1784]

Thank you.

[@wildflute]

There is no melody quite sublime in the ear than when it’s played sensitively by a talented clarinetist. And I’m a flutist!

[@kibudude]

Love your channel🔥Like to see a video with insights on wind only orchestral composing. Keep up your great videos.

[@donaldjacobs4732]

Thank you! This will help me

[@tiansaxo]

Thanks Ryan, I love your videos! :-) I just ordered the books you recommended from my library

[@guilhermeassuncaomusic]

This channel is epic!

[@Imagineyourmusiccom]

very effective and straight to the point, just subcribed, thank you very much

[@marcosPRATA918]

Orquestração, eis a arte máxima da composição.

[@sampsonaborah1190]

Awesome, thanks

[@gylchrissprauve3760]

On time video...thanks a million

[@gavinleepermusic]

Great tips!!

[@amiezwag]

Your channel is amazing, thank you so much!

[@papitay2010]

great master... You is a great musician.. Many, many, many thanks....

[@truBador2]

Thanks for the tips.

[@salimsalari389]

Very informative. Thanks!

[@boy_on_earth]

bless you

[@Jamesmusica]

Thank you!

[@thomascollins4325]

Liked the video!!!

[@1GearG0]

Awesome. Thanks man

[@wrench_shorts]

Congrads on 100k

[@RyanLeach]

Thanks!

[@seuradu8065]

There are many methods of approaching orchestration. What no composer has really presented in the course of orchestration is the compatibility of the timbres or colors of the instruments in the art of symphonic orchestration.For example, the horn is compatible as a timbre with the cello, or the Flute with violin and trombone and the Wagnerian Tuba with double bass.This aspect has not yet been addressed in orchestration courses. John Williams is my favorite composer in terms of film music orchestration.

[@asllenn]

good video

[@Olosson]

Very nice! I agree...

[@DavidRLentz]

Immensely 🤔 and enlightening.

[@GTORT]

Still the best channel idc what anyone says

[@ejohnmcpomus]

Great tips.....👌

[@musiquesintemporelles]

04:20 Counterpoint helps! 😉

[@Ilya2905SaiRam]

Спасибо!) очень интересное видео!)

[@gilevansinsideout]

Nice video thanks

[@mr88cet]

This is all really excellent, thanks! However, there’s another, very-different approach, or perhaps “scenario”: In some cases, my entire motivation for a composition (or section) starts with timbre, or at least coincident with the melody. For example, the entire point right from the start might be to portray a conversation between flute and clarinet, say, taken over by violin and viola. In other words, it’s not always melody, then harmony, then orchestration.

[@Todzuum]

The brass in the Williams score you showed acted like a snare with its rhythm , at least that’s what I hesrd

[@RechtmanDon]

Just noticed the flute player at 0:06 is playing an open hole flute but with stoppers on some of the keys!

[@grt002]

Would love to see you analyze Liberty Fanfare by John Williams. Such a cool piece.

[@stevevasta]

Enjoyed this. But i'm not sure how much help the "four-part chorale" idea would be in very "horizontal" music. Dvořák liked to write four-part chorales, incidentally, for two oboes and two clarinets, rather low in the range, and the second oboe always sticks out. Orchestras, even in Czechia, apparently have their own standard workarounds for them.

[@StefanGraz]

1:26 Disney!! 😀

[@martin-raison-music-composer]

3:37 what are those six steps? :) thanks !

[@thekeyoflifepiano]

Rest in Peace John.

[@RyanLeach]

He is getting old, but I’m pretty sure he’s alive and well

[@thekeyoflifepiano]

@@RyanLeach You haven't heard the news?

[@jcoolverine3483]

i saw one video of yours that show and sheets and piano tabs in program together, its super helpful that! can you do that in all your video ? thank you!

[@miltonderezende7906]

I'm a layman on the subject, however I believe that orchestrating is the same as painting a picture. There are people who have a doctorate in painting and cannot paint anything, while others who are almost illiterate paint marvels. The same happens with harmonization and orchestration. No matter how much you study, a person without a vocation will never write a song like Leonard Bernstein From Brazil.

[@Reeseington]

3:06 you sneaky dog

[@ejohnmcpomus]

👍 Very nice

[@SonicVision360]

Good.