I need advice

hi folks,

So I'm starting my first major composition (full score). The past has been mostly saxophone quintets and brass chiors, but now I want to get into the swing of things. I have a melody in mind, but I'm having some difficulty figuring out just how many parts I need. Right now I've got

2 flutes

2 oboes (too many?)

3 clarinets

1 bassoon (too few?)

1 bass clarinet

2 alto sax

1 tenor sax

1 bari sax

3 trumpets ( 1 cornet part)

2 F horns (enough?)

2 trombones

1 bass trombone

1 euphonium

1 tuba

percussion

lemme kow if u think this is a solid lineup, or if I should adjust anything! Thanks so much!

Musically yours,

Just another musician

hi folks,

So I'm starting my first major composition (full score). The past has been mostly saxophone quintets and brass chiors, but now I want to get into the swing of things. I have a melody in mind, but I'm having some difficulty figuring out just how many parts I need. Right now I've got

2 flutes

2 oboes (too many?)

3 clarinets

1 bassoon (too few?)

1 bass clarinet

2 alto sax

1 tenor sax

1 bari sax

3 trumpets ( 1 cornet part)

2 F horns (enough?)

2 trombones

1 bass trombone

1 euphonium

1 tuba

percussion

lemme kow if u think this is a solid lineup, or if I should adjust anything! Thanks so much!

Musically yours,

Just another musician

Is it for a full orchestra? Like one with strings and harp and no saxophones? :P If you're writing for an orchestra, you need a First Violin part, a Second Violin part, a Viola part, a Cello part and a Double Bass part.

If you don't want strings, then you have a concert band. In which case you would need... Actually, you would be just fine, unless you decide to have two more horn parts, but I don't think you will need those.

However, if you want to do a Full Orchestra (like orchestras that play classical music), then I would recommend one less Clarinet, one more bassoon, two more horn parts, no euphonium, and add strings. However, I do think that you are aiming for Concert Band, in which case you should be fine. :)

Good luck with your piece!

Is it for a full orchestra? Like one with strings and harp and no saxophones? :P If you're writing for an orchestra, you need a First Violin part, a Second Violin part, a Viola part, a Cello part and a Double Bass part.

If you don't want strings, then you have a concert band. In which case you would need... Actually, you would be just fine, unless you decide to have two more horn parts, but I don't think you will need those.

However, if you want to do a Full Orchestra (like orchestras that play classical music), then I would recommend one less Clarinet, one more bassoon, two more horn parts, no euphonium, and add strings. However, I do think that you are aiming for Concert Band, in which case you should be fine. :)

Good luck with your piece!

Yea, go with that!!

For full orchestra the intrumentation is USUALLY

2-2-2-2, 4-3-3-1, Perc. (if wanted),Strings

You can also add harp, ketboard...ect.

fantastic, thanks alot. The piece is a concert song (how foolish of me not to say so!), for right now, entitled "Glory". my main concern was one too many oboe parts and maybe 1 too many trumpets, maybe that would help for a better answer, sorry I was so unclear.

Too small. Go with a RStrauss size. You can get so much colour out of it!

Well if this is a concert band piece, that sounds about right. You should probably only have 1 oboe part and maybe another bassoon and horn part.

to be honest, an ensemble of that size for your first composition may be risky...i'd say narrow it down to a small chamber group

Check out some scores of other wind ensemble pieces. If anything, search online and read the instrumentation lists for the pieces, and get recordings. I suggest these for study...

Gustav Holst - Hammersmith

Peter Mennin - Canzona

Bob Margolis - Terpsichore

Philip Sparke - Dance Movements

Karel Husa - Al Fresco

Percy Grainger - Lincolnshire Posy