At the risk of sounding like a fool......

Hi all,

I am a new composer and need some answers if anyone can help. Basically, i have been writing on and off for years and its all very good and nice sounding (i use the Symphonic Orchestra sample library by Eastwest) but i am not sure if i am under and over using instrumentation. For example (and being completely honest) i dont exactly know how many notes each of the strings can play at once and what would be commonly used in scores. I have been writing with my 1st and 2nd violins playing only one note each, but i know they can do more.

The strings is my main concern but again, with all the sections, i could do with knowing which instruments can play what. Is there anything online that is concise enough for a novice in orchestration or any good books. As i dont play any of these instruments i feel it is ridiculous writing any further, without knowing exactly where i stand. I also would love to know where i can look at scores online to see how other have done it....does anybody know anywhere. Otherwise its down the shops for me and as a young composer money isn't in abundance.

If anyone can help or point me in any benficial direction i would gladly appreciate it.

Ta-da! Principles of Orchestration On-line - northernsounds.com

Thank you I need this too

No problem. Google is your friend. :thumbsup:

Nice one man!

Dammit. I actually paid for that book.

Dammit. I actually paid for that book.

I paid for it even though I knew it was on there - handy to have it if ever I find myself lackng in internets.