Writing For Woodwinds Things to Think About Woodwinds

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 3 rd 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 3 rds § 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 11 th § Instrumentation - 2 Flute, 2 Oboe, 2 B flat Clarinet, 1 Bass 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