WHAT'S INSIDE THE ORCHESTRATION COURSE?
In this course, you'll find all you need to start orchestrating your music.
First, you'll learn each instrument of the orchestra, how it sounds in each range, and how to write for them. Then you'll learn how to use them inside the orchestral context and how to combine them with other instruments.
Part 1️⃣ INSTRUMENTATION: Learn each orchestral instrument, range, timbre, and playing techniques.
Part 2️⃣ ORCHESTRATION: How to write for each orchestral instrument or section when performing a melody, countermelody, or accompaniment.
Part 3️⃣ TEXTURES & BALANCE: Typical orchestral textures, how to maintain orchestral balance, and how to create separation and association when combining different instruments.
VIDEO EXAMPLE FROM INSIDE THE COURSE
NO MUSICAL TRAINING OR DON'T READ MUSIC?
Don't stress out! ;) We'll teach you to read orchestral music!
Every new concept that you learn comes with video examples.
Each video highlights exactly the notes you have to look at.
Also, there is a voice over explaining what's going to happen in the score and what do you have to pay attention to.
WHAT DO OUR STUDENTS SAY?
"ORCHESTRATION: FROM SKETCH TO ORCHESTRA"
Complete Curriculum
Instrumentation
Let's Get Started — Basic Concepts
- Welcome
- Introduction
- Evolution of the Orchestra: Introduction
- Evolution of the Orchestra: Late Renaissance and Baroque
- Evolution of the Orchestra: Classical Period
- Evolution of the Orchestra: Romantic and Post-Romantic Period
- Evolution of the Orchestra: 20th Century
- Size and Balance in Today's Context
- Clefs
- Transpositions
- The Score and Parts
- Score Editors — Notation Software
- Conclusion
The String Section
- Introduction
- The String Section
- The Instruments: the Violin (+ examples)
- The Instruments: the Viola (+ examples)
- The Instruments: the Cello (+ examples)
- The Instruments: the Contrabass (+ examples)
- Left Hand: the Strings
- Open Strings
- Double, Triple and Quadruple Stops
- Double Stops
- Triple and Quadruple Stops
- Harmonics
- Right Hand: the Bow
- Right Hand: Down and Up Bow
- Right Hand: Bow Techniques
- Right Hand: On the String Bow Techniques
- Right Hand: Off the String Techniques
- Right Hand: Techniques Depending on the Place on the String
- Right Hand: Other Techniques
- Subdivisions Part 1
- Subdivision (Extreme Type of Divisi) Part 2
- Subdivision (Solo) Part 3
- Subdivision Part 4
- Conclusion
The Brass Section
- Introduction
- The Brass Section
- The Instruments: the French Horn
- The Instruments: the Trumpet
- The Instruments: the Trombone Family
- The Instruments: the Tuba
- Techniques
- Techniques: General Articulations
- Techniques: Other Techniques
- Mutes
- Subdivisions — Part 1
- Subdivisions — Part 2
- Conclusion
The Woodwinds Section
- Introduction
- The Woodwind Section
- The Instruments: The Flute Family (Flute)
- The Instruments: The Flute Family (Piccolo)
- The Instruments: The Flute Family (Alto Flute)
- The Instruments: the Oboe Family (Oboe)
- The Instruments: the Oboe Family (English Horn)
- The Instruments: the Clarinet Family (Bb and A Clarinet)
- The Instruments: The Clarinet Family (Eb Clarinet)
- The Instruments: The Clarinet Family (Bass Clarinet)
- The Instruments: the Bassoon Family (Bassoon)
- The Instruments: The Bassoon Family (Contrabassoon)
- Techniques
- Techniques: General Articulations
- Techniques: Other Techniques
- Subdivisions (First Example)
- Subdivisions: More about Subdivisions
- Conclusion
The Harp and Keyboard Instruments
- Introduction
- The Harp
- Harp: Techniques
- Orchestral Keyboard Instruments
- The Piano
- The Celesta
- Orchestral Keyboard Instruments: Playing Techniques
- Orchestral Keyboard Instruments: Common Techniques
- Conclusion
The Percussion Section
- Introduction
- The percussion section
- Pitched/Memb: the Timpani
- Pitched/Idioph: the Mallet Family
- Pitched/Idioph: the Xylophone
- Pitched/Idioph: the Marimba
- Pitched/Idioph: the Vibraphone
- Pitched/Idioph: the Glockenspiel
- Pitched/Idioph: the Crotales
- Pitched/Idioph: the Chimes (Tubular Bells)
- Unpitched/Memb: the Snare Drum
- Unpitched/Memb: the Bass Drum
- Unpitched/Memb: the Concert Toms (Tom-toms)
- Unpitched/Memb: the Timbales
- Unpitched/Memb: the Bongos
- Unpitched/Memb: the Congas (Tumbadoras)
- Unpitched/Memb: the Tambourine
- Unpitched/Idioph: the Cymbal
- Unpitched/Idioph: the Triangle
- Unpitched/Idioph: the Tam-tam
- Unpitched/Idioph: the Anvil
- Unpitched/Idioph: the Woodblocks
- Unpitched/Idioph: the Temple-blocks
- Unpitched/Idioph: the Claves
- Unpitched/Idioph: the Castanets
- Unpitched/Idioph: The Maracas
- Unpitched/Idioph: The Whip (or Slapstick)
- Conclusion
Orchestration
Orchestrating for Strings
- Introduction
- The influence of the harmonic series
- Partials, Overtones and Harmonics
- The Harmonic Series and How It Affects the Orchestration
- The String Section
- The String Section: the Functions
- Performing Melodies
- Performing Counterpoint
- Performing Homophonic Textures
- Performing Runs
- Performing Patterns of Accompaniment
- Doubling Other Sections
- Combinations Within the String Section
- Voicing for Strings
- Voicing for Strings: Samples and Piano Sketches
- Conclusion
Orchestrating for Brass
- Introduction
- The Brass Section
- The Brass Section: the Functions
- Performing Melodies
- Performing Counterpoints
- Performing Homophonic Textures
- Performing Runs
- Performing Patterns of Accompaniment
- Doubling Other Sections
- Bringing the orchestra to a new dynamic level
- Combinations within the Brass section
- Voicing for Brass
- Voicing for Brass: From Samples to Acoustic Instruments
- Conclusion
Orchestrating for Woodwinds
- Introduction
- The Woodwind Section
- The Woodwind Section: The Functions
- Performing Melodies
- Performing Counterpoints
- Performing Homophonic Textures
- Performing Runs
- Performing Patterns of Accompaniment
- Doubling Other Sections
- Combinations within the Woodwind Section
- Voicing for Woodwinds
- Woodwinds: From the Sketch to the Orchestration
- Conclusion
Orchestrating for the Percussion Section and the Harp and Keyboard Instruments
- Introduction
- The Percussion Section, Keyboards and Harp
- The Percussion Section, Keyboards and Harp: the functions
- Featuring Musical Material
- Performing Accompaniments
- Performing Hits
- Raising the Dynamics Level of the Orchestra
- Doubling other sections
- Percussion: From the Sketch to the Orchestration
- Conclusion
Orchestrating for Orchestra — From Sketch to Orchestra
- Introduction
- Layers: Association and Separation
- Balance (1)
- Balance (2): the families
- Balance (3): separation and balance
- Voicing for a symphony orchestra
- Conclusion
- BONUS: From Sketch to Orchestra: Handwritten Orchestration #1 — The Idea
- BONUS: From Sketch to Orchestra: Handwritten Orchestration #2 — Handwritten Orchestration
- BONUS: From Sketch to Orchestra: Handwritten Orchestration #3 — Mockup
- BONUS: From Sketch to Orchestra: Q & A
Hollywood Voicings
Dramatic Love
- Dramatic Love Style Definition
Action High Intensity
- Action High Intensity
- BONUS: Action High Intensity — Composing
- BONUS: Action High Intensity — Mixing
Fantasy and Magic
- Fantasy and Magic
Dramatic Sadness
- Dramatic Sadness
- The 5 Layer System and How to Create Separation
Supernatural Grandeur
- Supernatural Grandeur
Action Mid Intensity
- Action Mid Intensity
Suspense
- Suspense
Adventure
- Adventure — Synthestration
- Adventure — Mixing (Part 1)
- Adventure — Mixing (Part 2)
BONUS #1
- The 5 Layers System
BONUS #2
- Arranging/Synthestration for Woodwinds and Brass
BONUS #3
- Voicings When Synthestrating for Strings, Brass and Woodwinds