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Writing For Woodwinds. Things to Think About…. Woodwinds. Think about the numbers you are writing for - what is the general make-up of a school band?
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Writing For Woodwinds • Things to Think About…
Woodwinds • Think about the numbers you are writing for - what is the general make-up of a school band? • ALWAYS- think about the sound you would like to produce - All voices equal? Choir vs. Choir, lead voice over back ups? Think about dynamic contour and instrument color….
Woodwinds • Execution… • Can they play effectively at your tempo? • Can they play effectively at your dynamic? • Can they play the full line as marked? How does AIR factor in? • Can they execute the articulations (think about instrument characteristics)
Voicing • Alto Clarinet? Double either 3rd clarinet or Bass Depending on Voice strength • Clarinet Parts are usually split 3 ways • Saxophones are Flexible - either used as a Choir, as a sonority strengthener, as rhythmic background, Soloists, inner harmony
Voicing • Melody may be doubled in octaves • Avoid doubling the bass line above its original Pitch • Exception - more than an octave between the bass line and the next highest voice…
Voicing • Think about using the double reed quartet: 2 oboes, 2 bassoons • May be used as a quartet in light passages - Its all about the color you want. • Lighter passages - Flute can carry the melody in the upper register • Think if your tutti passages are balanced, top heavy, or bottom heavy
Voicing • Put largest Vertical intervals the lower the octave - Think Harmonic Series and Clarity • Close vertical space in the lower octave creates a muddy sound • Space voices evenly in the upper register and avoid large gaps. • Exception - octave between two top melodic voices • Chords should be voiced as completely as possible in each section
Voice Leading/Re-voicing • Sometimes voice parts need to be shifted around due to range considerations. Ex. - a tenor/bass combination • Avoid awkward skips ( see ex no. 2 page 40) • Watch for Excessive Doubling of 3rds • Think about how you want to split voices or condense. 5 parts for 4 players? 7 parts for 12 players?
Now Let’s Look at Some Scores… • Irish Tune • Dvorak Serenade • Strauss - Suite in B flat • Beethoven - Octet • Jacob - Old Wine In New Bottles
Woodwind Project • Recording - March 11th • Instrumentation - 2 Flute, 2 Oboe, 2 B flat Clarinet, 1Bass Clarinet, 1 Bassoon, 1 alto sax, 1 tenor sax, 1 bari sax - Recruit PLAYERS! Sign up on my door. • Stay close to 2 mins if possible. This project can be closer to Transcription. • Lab Day Next Week • Woodwind Quiz - Next Week