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Can this be arranged for Orchestra?

Discussion in 'Critique & Feedback' started by Michael Cunningham, Jun 19, 2019.

  1. #1 Michael Cunningham, Jun 19, 2019
    Howdy folks. This is kind of what I do, but have been trying to crack the orchestral writing for some time. So does something like this lend itself to being an orchestral piece other than throwing some strings behind the guitar.

    Thanks any and all feedback welcome.

     
  2. #2 Rohann van Rensburg, Jun 19, 2019
    Cool track! I may or may not steal some ideas ;), you've got some interesting harmonic movement in there.

    You've got multiple sections, a repeating and memorable melody, modulations, etc. Anything can really become an orchestral track, as all the same principles apply -- establishment and development of an idea, movement into new ideas and clear interrelation between ideas, etc.
    My short time in orchestral composition has led me to notice a certain burden on orchestral music for more intentionally developing a more simple idea (harmonically or melodically), but good structure is good structure, in the end. Complex ideas require more repetition, simpler ideas require more variation. I'd love to see your take on this as an orchestral piece, it would be a good exercise. If you haven't already, check out Mike's classes, particularly Comp 1 and 2, and Orchestration 1 and 2.

    But hey, like this masterpiece illustrates, there's nothing wrong with strings behind guitar:

     
    Michael Cunningham likes this.
  3. #3 Doug Gibson, Jun 19, 2019
    No.
     
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  4. #4 Mike Verta, Jun 19, 2019
    I'd say why? What is your piece not doing that's making you think of arranging it for orchestra? I agree with Doug that it's definitely not clearly compatible but I'm more curious why in the first place.
     
  5. #5 Michael Cunningham, Jun 19, 2019
    So, my idea is that if I were to score a film, I should be able to take this composition and work it into any scene that requires music. Maybe not true afterall....

    I don't necessarily think orchestra when I write, so I am usually trying to adapt my original idea to orchestral music and most times I am not happy with the result.

    So, that brought me to the question is it just an inability on my part to utilize the orchestra effectively or is the music not suitable or even both.

    It would be great to get ideas on why this song is not compatible, so that I can start working to make it compatible and then try to orchestrate

    I love MikeV's classes by the way. I have most of them and refer to the Comp and Orchestration classes regulary. I actually got through this melody by using his tips on using chord tones to develop a better memory.

    Thanks Rohan, Doug and MikeV for taking time. Thanks for the venue MikeV.
     
  6. #6 Rohann van Rensburg, Jun 20, 2019
    Mike and Doug have been composing longer than I've been alive, and Mike's question in particular is relevant. I should clarify that I don't think you can just take a track like that and orchestrate it. I see no reason why you couldn't take your melody, general harmony, etc and mould them to an orchestral piece, but it would require moulding. Probably the best way to do this would be to take it to piano and make it work there first.
     
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  7. #7 Mike Verta, Jun 20, 2019
    An orchestra isn't a requirement of film scoring- it's one of a million palettes to serve up particular kinds of pieces. Not all pieces are best served by it; not all scores are best served by it. Horses for courses!
     
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  8. #8 Rohann van Rensburg, Jul 7, 2019
    Unsure if you've done this elsewhere but I'd love a few scores outside the orchestral genre that you dig.
     
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