What is good orchestration?

A short look at what makes for really good, artistic orchestration.
www.alanbelkinmusic.com
© Alan Belkin. All rights reserved.
(This replaces an older video with the same name. The content is the same, but the musical examples sound MUCH better in the new version.)

Пікірлер: 282

  • @PinacoladaMatthew
    @PinacoladaMatthew7 жыл бұрын

    The bassons are the game changers

  • @ClassicalMusic2002

    @ClassicalMusic2002

    7 жыл бұрын

    Yes!

  • @jorgefpramos

    @jorgefpramos

    7 жыл бұрын

    Well, it sounds a bit too much with the bassoons but I understand your point.

  • @pedrokoury1352

    @pedrokoury1352

    4 жыл бұрын

    Jorge F. P. Ramos Maybe in mixing they'd turn down its volume a little

  • @counterpoint1014

    @counterpoint1014

    4 жыл бұрын

    Interesting how I share the points of the three prior comments: Yes! It sounds a bit too much with the bassoons, but they will work well with appropriate mixing. An intelligent video certainly emboldens intelligent comments:)

  • @nickknee-case298

    @nickknee-case298

    3 жыл бұрын

    That's my moto!

  • @jorgefpramos
    @jorgefpramos7 жыл бұрын

    Note by a young composer. Not every thing needs to be densely orchestrated. It really depends on your idea. Ex. If you want to match two parallels sound worlds of dull and bright than the first example (flute and trombone) wouldn't be so wrong, right? But then, great video! I was just warning for not taking these rules as a must do. You should take into account the rules, but the composer role should know really well when to break them. After all, even C. Debussy said: "Works of art make rules but rules do not make works of art."

  • @matiasgodoy399

    @matiasgodoy399

    5 жыл бұрын

    Nice said, Claude!

  • @studentofcounterpoint

    @studentofcounterpoint

    4 жыл бұрын

    couldn't agree more with that

  • @rilke1791

    @rilke1791

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks I just came here to make a comment about that

  • @rodterrell304

    @rodterrell304

    4 жыл бұрын

    I like the way you think. The composer should write what he knows and feels

  • @AndrewThiriot

    @AndrewThiriot

    Жыл бұрын

    I had a similar thought. Although I love what Alan has done with this theme, and the final version is likely more usable in many circumstances, there could also be a situation where the first simple “not ideally matched up” version works or is needed. In fact it could even be used within the same piece as this theme is developed and changed to add variety to the theme.

  • @ramesh0785
    @ramesh07858 жыл бұрын

    Brilliantly presented. simple and effective. Thank you for your valuable time & sharing knowledge.

  • @francobonanni3499

    @francobonanni3499

    5 жыл бұрын

    Beethoven is Not a composer...he is an Artist perhaps the Greatest. He doses not write for the sake of writing instead he bends sounds of the instruments to meet his artistic creativity. Bernstein is right when he says that there is only form. From a fragment of notes he was able to transform that fragment in a total symphony. All composers do that but Beethoven took this concept to a sublime height. Whatever he erote eas not usuale..I would say unusuale. His piano techniques is unique where other composers and pianists took inspiration...even the same Liszt. No one is the same after Beethoven. Thank you for this fabulous video. A great work. I would like to be your student. Thank you.

  • @hom2fu

    @hom2fu

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@francobonanni3499 i think he is talking about Beethoven 1st symphony. Brilliant intro. and the 4 famous notes of classical music, the 5th symphony.

  • @splodinatekabloominate846
    @splodinatekabloominate8466 жыл бұрын

    2:55 as a bassoonist, I think this is where it's perfect

  • @BazzTriton

    @BazzTriton

    5 жыл бұрын

    Splodinate Kabloominate I agree

  • @DaveDexterMusic
    @DaveDexterMusic7 жыл бұрын

    Not to disparage - this was good and informative - but the better example would have been to show good and bad orchestrations within the same instrumentation, rather than showing the basic reduction of the music "badly" orchestrated between two mismatched instruments. A simplistic or amateurish orchestration of the final woodwind, timp and strings version would show much better contrast, and you could develop the final orchestration even further - not by adding instruments, but by changing the parts. As for quartet - orchestrated well, a quartet could play this piece with great depth without needing additional lines added. And to stick up for trombone and low flute, I bet played live with some finesse that'd be a great texture!

  • @SpaghettiToaster

    @SpaghettiToaster

    7 жыл бұрын

    DaveDexterMusic I'm not sure if you'd ever really hear the flute.

  • @d.1565

    @d.1565

    6 жыл бұрын

    lol right? kids and their midi toys have no idea how a real orchestra sound like... no wonder mr. Belkin had to put a reminder on the very beginning of the video about that. This guy is clueless and talking out of his ass.

  • @caroljoyce755

    @caroljoyce755

    5 жыл бұрын

    Orchestra orrangements cello

  • @MegaMech

    @MegaMech

    5 жыл бұрын

    It would work in concert band when you have like five flutes together. I wouldn't leave the trombone as is though. Either different instrument or changing it to suit. The point of the video though wasn't to create a flute solo, the point was to show orchestration lol.

  • @BazzTriton

    @BazzTriton

    5 жыл бұрын

    DaveDexterMusic, do a vídeo, man.

  • @mehranbadakhshan
    @mehranbadakhshan9 жыл бұрын

    really great tips, thank you Mr.Belkin

  • @NovicebutPassionate
    @NovicebutPassionate4 жыл бұрын

    Valuable, concise lesson! Some of the comments below are credible; however, there's only so much one can fit in a five-minute video about a vast topic such as orchestration. With thanks to Mr. Belkin for his instructional video, I humbly offer the young composers out there a piece of advice from Nadia Boulanger, who is credited for teaching many of the leading composers of the 20th century: "To study music, we must learn the rules. To create music, we must break them."

  • @brunocoliveira89
    @brunocoliveira899 жыл бұрын

    Hello Belkin! I downloaded your note de cours in OO group on facebook and it is really helping me a lot! Now, with these videos, seeing it coming true will help me even more. Its amazing. Thank you.

  • @ElPricto
    @ElPricto9 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Alan! Very simple and instructive. A mind opener.

  • @kappabravomusic2101
    @kappabravomusic21012 жыл бұрын

    This was so easy to understand! Thanks so much for this short explanation, Alan!

  • @virtualplaying
    @virtualplaying8 жыл бұрын

    Well done video. You've managed to demonstrate some really good tips within 5 minutes using just 4 bars of music. A nice little orchestration tutorial snack.

  • @omarkiam5808
    @omarkiam58087 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful lesson. Thank you for posting.

  • @heavynov
    @heavynov9 жыл бұрын

    This is one of the most helpful videos on orchestration I've ever seen and I want to thank you for it. And for the writings on your homepage as well, they have really helped me

  • @carljuliuscanelas3453
    @carljuliuscanelas34538 жыл бұрын

    Great lecture, please post more like this! Thank you!

  • @nikitofin
    @nikitofin8 жыл бұрын

    i would love more videos like this one, it's absolutely wonderful explained

  • @b00i00d
    @b00i00d6 жыл бұрын

    Great hands-on presentation - thanks for posting!

  • @mmaybrown
    @mmaybrown8 жыл бұрын

    This is such a fantastic video!

  • @NonaK-mz8oy
    @NonaK-mz8oy6 жыл бұрын

    A great video! Will show to my students. Thank you!

  • @saxman5255
    @saxman52554 жыл бұрын

    Wonderful presentation! Lovely piece, too!

  • @jslasher1
    @jslasher17 жыл бұрын

    This is excellent. Very informative and easy to follow.

  • @empowerman1
    @empowerman16 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Alan . . . a short but informative tip!

  • @okilfeathermusic
    @okilfeathermusic9 жыл бұрын

    That is one of the paciest instructional videos I've seen in some time, most concise! Thank you, Alan!

  • @adamjnotthecongressmanschi7026
    @adamjnotthecongressmanschi70264 жыл бұрын

    Incredible lesson. It’s so concise

  • @romulo-mello
    @romulo-mello2 жыл бұрын

    Extremely helpful!

  • @mydogskips2
    @mydogskips27 жыл бұрын

    I agree, but let's acknowledge that with each different orchestration we are in effect changing the piece itself. I mean, there's obviously a huge difference between flute and trombone vs. string ensemble. And adding the bassoons in sustained tones gives texture and richness, but it too substantially changes the piece, from mere strings to a fuller mixed orchestral sound. It's not hard to imagine that adding upper winds throughout as well as brass tones would alter it even more, at which point it could hardly be said to resemble the original two part, two voice theme at all. Sure the melody is the same, as well as the underlying harmony, but the orchestration has been so significantly modified as to make it an entirely different work.

  • @nakedmambo

    @nakedmambo

    7 жыл бұрын

    Which is of course the very point of orchestration: to keep the same material and extend its possibilities. The bassoons only added what is implicit in the music already there.

  • @musical_lolu4811

    @musical_lolu4811

    5 жыл бұрын

    Different work?? In that case, every piano reduction is a 'different work'.

  • @adonisadmirer2752

    @adonisadmirer2752

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@nakedmambo Interesting words. What is implicit depends on our own notions, sometimes.

  • @szabels
    @szabels9 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for sharing this interesting material! Simple and enjoyable way to learn about orchestration. Greetings!

  • @hveguitar
    @hveguitar8 жыл бұрын

    Really awesome advice with real examples!

  • @JPDC624
    @JPDC6243 жыл бұрын

    Exactly what I needed. Thank you!

  • @ulasoktay3104
    @ulasoktay31045 жыл бұрын

    You are amazing!

  • @brendanward2991
    @brendanward29917 жыл бұрын

    I don't like the upper woodwind in the final version. The oboe, above the flute, sounds too obtrusive.

  • @HarmonicaMustang

    @HarmonicaMustang

    7 жыл бұрын

    I believe the levels were not that important in this video. It was aimed to show how to split the melody, rhythm and bass parts between different instruments to unleash their full potential, as well as how to layer various instruments for texture and emphasised phrasing.

  • @razkaran2428

    @razkaran2428

    6 жыл бұрын

    you find it oboetrusive?

  • @CarlosAugustoScalassaraPrando

    @CarlosAugustoScalassaraPrando

    6 жыл бұрын

    Taste....

  • @jamescorbin5548

    @jamescorbin5548

    6 жыл бұрын

    Orchestration is all relative nonsense tbh. I personally like the first one more than the other examples.

  • @masterchain3335

    @masterchain3335

    5 жыл бұрын

    Same. The first version sounded fine to me, and so did the strings up until the bassoons were added, at which point the whole thing starts to sound overwrought.

  • @jwatt002003
    @jwatt0020037 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, this is much needed!

  • @jorgestramusic
    @jorgestramusic4 жыл бұрын

    This is gold Maestro, thank you!

  • @inglesconalan5360
    @inglesconalan53607 жыл бұрын

    Veryry interesting, thanks for uploading this video.

  • @dankleffmann2473
    @dankleffmann24734 жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much for these videos! Very informative.

  • @kinanahmad5794
    @kinanahmad57947 жыл бұрын

    loooooove you and your clear understanding for music concept

  • @AndresMartin
    @AndresMartin9 жыл бұрын

    Wonderful explained as everything Ive found from you Alan. I wish I could study with you... maybe some day!!! Big congrats as always and thank you for keep sharing your knolledge!!!

  • @trevorjensen2706
    @trevorjensen27063 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this!

  • @sebastiandorn651
    @sebastiandorn6516 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the lesson.

  • @simonsmatthew
    @simonsmatthew5 жыл бұрын

    Incredible clarity. I was really struggling to make heads and tails of orchestration. You've just cleared it up in a matter of seconds. A master teacher. Thank you.

  • @semproniaprocax2942
    @semproniaprocax29424 жыл бұрын

    This is EXACTLY what I needed to see

  • @herrvonunknowngut7141
    @herrvonunknowngut71415 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this helpful video.

  • @music24mindi75
    @music24mindi759 жыл бұрын

    what a great lesson..!

  • @pedrokoury1352
    @pedrokoury13524 жыл бұрын

    Simple and enlightening! Thank you

  • @amberroberts6579
    @amberroberts65793 жыл бұрын

    I really enjoyed this! thank you for this!

  • @ishagshafeeg
    @ishagshafeeg6 жыл бұрын

    Brilliant. Thanks

  • @jpstenino
    @jpstenino5 жыл бұрын

    Clear & on point thank you much appreciated

  • @nightly522
    @nightly522Ай бұрын

    this is helpful, thank you

  • @donjenaro79
    @donjenaro798 жыл бұрын

    Thank you. You saved my time with that. Love to hear my music in orchestral sound but compose an idea on guitar or piano. You showed me the way to move farther.

  • @OnlyBARKMATTER
    @OnlyBARKMATTER8 жыл бұрын

    this was very informative thank you.

  • @konstantin9303
    @konstantin930311 ай бұрын

    I think the flute/trombone thing can definitely be good for *something*. For example, if you're trying to symbolize someone with strong emotions who has a hard time expressing themselves, a "dull" melody and a "bright" accompaniment works really well, I think. I understand that the video is supposed to be generally speaking, but we gotta keep in mind that it's about what your going for.

  • @stevehinnenkamp5625
    @stevehinnenkamp56257 жыл бұрын

    Wonderful. Concise in a way no teacher could have dreamed of- - Rimsky- Korsakov would have celebrate your fine, short example. We see and hear the transformation!

  • @jpilot07
    @jpilot07 Жыл бұрын

    Love it!!!!

  • @bjazz68
    @bjazz682 жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much, that was very insightful and helpful. I also had another reason for wanting to watch your video. I didn't know whether instruments in the same group should be written on the same staff as chords, or given their own independent staff. But what you did with the Bassoons and Flutes gave me my answer. Thanks again, you saved me a lot of research time.

  • @panfluteiordache51
    @panfluteiordache517 жыл бұрын

    Toata admiratia domnule profesor pentru aceste cursuri de orchestratie online .

  • @alexanderpozdnyakov5779
    @alexanderpozdnyakov57793 жыл бұрын

    Greatest 5 minutes lesson I have ever seen :)

  • @GSunNo
    @GSunNo4 жыл бұрын

    Love this one 🙂

  • @Alb-ng7vu
    @Alb-ng7vu7 жыл бұрын

    YESSS BEAUTIFUL LESSON, THIS IS WHAT I WANT....

  • @thedekuseed4965
    @thedekuseed49652 жыл бұрын

    So usefull. Thank you!

  • @oscarmike1131
    @oscarmike11318 жыл бұрын

    thank you very much

  • @daniel.vega.composer
    @daniel.vega.composer3 жыл бұрын

    Very informative!!

  • @gayvinjaftha4503
    @gayvinjaftha45033 жыл бұрын

    Amazing

  • @DavidHernandoRico
    @DavidHernandoRico9 жыл бұрын

    Hi, a very good a easy way to explain what is really orchestrate. Congratulation!!!

  • @Greenjah81
    @Greenjah819 жыл бұрын

    Thank you. It's very good points. Appreciate it.

  • @shivshukla8013
    @shivshukla80132 жыл бұрын

    Great explanation! I think subtlety is vital for an orchestration to seem purposeful and natural, rather than instruments being used solely because they are listed in the ensemble

  • @shantanusudame6196
    @shantanusudame61967 жыл бұрын

    Excellent!!!! Thanks a lot!!

  • @yoiyade
    @yoiyade8 жыл бұрын

    Damn, this really helped me a lot ! Thanks !

  • @musicdirectordk
    @musicdirectordk7 жыл бұрын

    Thanks. Very good and usefull.

  • @SharmaYelverton
    @SharmaYelverton9 жыл бұрын

    Thank you. Wonderful video! would love to see more!

  • @alanbelkin9272

    @alanbelkin9272

    9 жыл бұрын

    There will be more soon. :-) And if you speak French, there are 6 full length lessons (about 2h30mins each) already on my channel.

  • @SharmaYelverton

    @SharmaYelverton

    9 жыл бұрын

    Thanks! I speak a bit of french but they may be a bit hard going. Will give it a go.

  • @alirezasarpas
    @alirezasarpas4 жыл бұрын

    very good i like it

  • @ZehNettoOficial
    @ZehNettoOficial7 жыл бұрын

    Thanks!! Like vey much you way of exposing things!

  • @amir.nouroozi.composer
    @amir.nouroozi.composer Жыл бұрын

    Very Informative

  • @frantyozorawattilete4742
    @frantyozorawattilete47424 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Cheers from Jakarta, Indonesia!

  • @MegKampen
    @MegKampen8 жыл бұрын

    Very nice explanation... Thank you!

  • @Elintasokas
    @Elintasokas9 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for this lesson Alan! Can't wait for more. I'm also a big fan of your website. Sadly I don't speak french, so I can't understand the rest of your videos.

  • @almuel
    @almuel5 жыл бұрын

    This is exactly what I needed for my composition. I was struggling big time with the orchestration. Thanks for this.

  • @Bronze_Age_Sea_Person
    @Bronze_Age_Sea_Person3 жыл бұрын

    Great video. I don't understand orchestration very much, but your video gave me great info which I'll use in a folk song I'm making.

  • @boneeatingsilicate580
    @boneeatingsilicate5803 жыл бұрын

    Q: "whats your favorite ensemble?" A: "strings and 1 vibraphone" - Bernard Herrmann

  • @user-rg5nm9jk5s
    @user-rg5nm9jk5s5 жыл бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @functionform
    @functionform7 жыл бұрын

    I think I learned more about orchestration in these few minutes than I have playing an instrument my entire life.

  • @sin77777
    @sin77777 Жыл бұрын

    eye openning

  • @didalutron
    @didalutron8 жыл бұрын

    Very interesting for me

  • @fernandobeghetto2854
    @fernandobeghetto2854 Жыл бұрын

    Bravíssimo! 👍🏻😁

  • @emer2784
    @emer27846 жыл бұрын

    i didn't know it was impossible to make good music with only a flute and a trombone

  • @DaveDexterMusic

    @DaveDexterMusic

    2 жыл бұрын

    alan simply doesn't like it

  • @PabloKrominskiProfessorMusica
    @PabloKrominskiProfessorMusica7 жыл бұрын

    Great!

  • @LiamBradburyMusic
    @LiamBradburyMusic7 жыл бұрын

    Great video. I've tried subscribing to a number of different people who provide orchestral tips and all of them have just annoyed me with their arrogance and snobbery, you're the first person I've come across that isn't like that. I subscribed. Thanks for the tips.

  • @BazzTriton

    @BazzTriton

    5 жыл бұрын

    Liam Bradbury Music . Yes Liam. I agree with you.

  • @Rudel23
    @Rudel236 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, good introduction for those who''re interested in leraning orchestration. Good job! P.s. BAR 2: Bassons- I think that playing A-C instead of repeating F-A would be better....

  • @_Chuvisco_
    @_Chuvisco_7 жыл бұрын

    Very good! I would put an E in the second bassoon, first bar third beat.

  • @MatiFagott
    @MatiFagott6 жыл бұрын

    Thanks you

  • @simonpassmore
    @simonpassmore3 жыл бұрын

    The first example at 00:54 is the Kyrie from Rheinberger Mass in Gm for upper voices :)

  • @stevehinnenkamp5625
    @stevehinnenkamp56256 жыл бұрын

    Dear Sir. You started at the rudiments and accelerated to a rich sounding version. Thank you for this enrichment.

  • @mhafner82
    @mhafner825 жыл бұрын

    How to take two lines and arrange it for the orchestra: what a beautiful lesson.

  • @cortster12
    @cortster128 жыл бұрын

    2:00 Damn, that is a huge difference!

  • @YonatanSetbon
    @YonatanSetbon Жыл бұрын

    didn't noticed that it was 5 minutes, it felt like a minute !

  • @lMllAllPl
    @lMllAllPl8 жыл бұрын

    Thank you. This provides many great ideas for an amateur like me. By the way, what library do you use to play these music?

  • @danieldimarinomusic7754
    @danieldimarinomusic77548 жыл бұрын

    Does anyone know what software is used in this video?

  • @tinoroppa3500
    @tinoroppa35005 жыл бұрын

    What programm are you using for the notation & does it haven an digital musik library + output or is some orchester playing it ? :) i have sibelius 7 and dont know what du buy for better quality

  • @batboy5023
    @batboy5023Ай бұрын

    the pizz bass is where it really changed for me

  • @victornoagbodji
    @victornoagbodji3 жыл бұрын

    😊 😊 🙏 this is truly amazing. thanks so much for sharing i am wondering if you have a book, class, or course on orchestration?

  • @Juan6Meses
    @Juan6Meses6 жыл бұрын

    Subscribed

  • @mewtwoberr
    @mewtwoberr2 жыл бұрын

    i’m glad you didn’t put the cello’s slurs on the pizz double bass part. speaking as a bassist, slurs don’t mean anything 99% of the time when there’s pizz