elysian

Which sounds most realistic - almost indistinguishable from a real orchestra? Is it East West, Miroslav? Or Reason, Kontakt? Which do you think it is?

Just a basic question. Let's say you use strings only. Violas double the melody played by violins (in octaves), cellos play the harmony and DB doubles it. That's it, only strings. Does this alone - strings alone - create intensity, or must we necessarily add woodwind, brass to create such intensity? I am not against using brass/wind, just out of curiosity I would like to know whether strings alone would produce the typical orchestral effect.

It is commonly believed that viola doubling violin melody in unsion or an octave lower is good, or flute doing the same with violins an octave higher. But what of sax? Will the same principle apply to it, does it go well with violin?

I understand that usually viola provides harmony in the orchestra. But couldn't cello do that since it has a wide pitch range - it could play bass plus go on a slightly higher pitch and provide balance for violin as well. So what's exactly the use of viola? Is it indispensable?

Hi everybody! :thumbsup: Are there compositions where tuba and cello play together (as in playing the exact same notes at the exact same time, not counterpoint or duet), providing harmony for a melody-playing instrument like violin? Both cello and tuba have a bass sound, so is it logical that they provide good balance for a high-pitched violin or flute? Thanks, El

In an orchestra where many violins take center stage, wouldn't soft sounds like those of flute, harp, piano just disappear, or are they usually used for solo?

Hi, I find it hard to do this, I mean finding the duration of each note. I can count the beats - for instance, 8 notes per 4 beats, but how to figure out how many beats a single note lasts? I am talking about 4/4. Thanks, El

Hi, I am not talking of traditional orchestra but generally what's the proportion of violins to cello? For instance, if you have 10 violins, would 5 cellos or double basses be right? Or 20 violins playing the melody, then 10 cellos would be just the right number to provide bass? I am assuming the bass instruments must be fewer than the instruments providing the main melody, but is there a strict ratio? Thanks, El

Hi, There is a minimalist music called drone, what exactly is it? Wiki says it's a sustained or repeated note (bass note, mostly) while melody is being played. I can understand repeated note but what does it mean by sustained note being a drone? If C2 is the drone, does that mean C2 will be heard throughout the piece without a break? Some insights would help. Thanks, Elysian

Thanks, M. I mean a sustained sound like how the 1st mov. of Beethoven's 5th starts - the sounds of the violin extend for a certain duration. EDIT: Is this what you mean: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowing_%28music%29#Bowing

Hi, I have a question on keyboard. For instance, I am familiar with the piano, but not so much with other instruments. Let's say we use the cello or violin/viola setting on keyboard - if you press any key and not release it, the sound continues indefinitely (unlike a piano where the sound stops quickly even if you hold the key). Is this realistic, does it actually happen that way in the actual violins, celli etc? I am just trying to get a more realistic picture. Thanks, Elysian

Thanks, M. Helps a lot. I've come across a symphony for strings by William Schuman. Is this entirely composed of string instruments only? Seems innovative....

Hi there, Two questions: must a symphony contain wind, brass (aside from strings), or can it also be entirely string? A whole piece will be played by string players (with no wind, brass, percussion)? Second, how does it basically differ from orchestra? Thanks, Elysian

Hi, New member here. I am glad to have found this forum. I have a question on composing orchestral pieces, especially the background/accompaniment. Do musicians (playing the background) simply follow the lead instruments like violin/viola? Thanks, Elysian