Workbook for The Study of Orchestration, Fourth Edition

Synopsis

The Study of Orchestration Workbook features a wide variety of exercises-many new to this edition-for any orchestration class and students of all skill levels. Test Yourself activities test factual information presented in the text, Worksheets offer opportunities to practice orchestrating short passages, and Listen and Score activities challenge students to identify and notate instrumentation aurally.

Summary

Chapter 1: The String Family

* Section 1: Violin
* Real Example: Introduction to Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in C minor, where violins play a soaring melody in unison.
* Section 2: Viola
* Real Example: The viola's distinctive tone color in the opening of Brahms's Symphony No. 1 in C minor.
* Section 3: Cello
* Real Example: The rich and lyrical cello solo in Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 in G major.
* Section 4: Double Bass
* Real Example: The rhythmically supportive bass line played by double basses in Mozart's Symphony No. 40 in G minor.

Chapter 2: The Woodwind Family

* Section 1: Flute
* Real Example: The ethereal intro to Debussy's Prelude to "L'après-midi d'un faune," featuring a solo flute.
* Section 2: Oboe
* Real Example: The melancholic oboe melody in the opening of Vaughan Williams's Symphony No. 2 in G minor.
* Section 3: Clarinet
* Real Example: The lively and playful clarinet solo in Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A major.
* Section 4: Bassoon
* Real Example: The comical and pompous bassoon solo in Mozart's opera "The Marriage of Figaro."

Chapter 3: The Brass Family

* Section 1: Trumpet
* Real Example: The heroic and triumphant trumpet fanfare in Wagner's "Lohengrin" Overture.
* Section 2: Horn
* Real Example: The mellow and melancholic horn solo in Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 in F major, known as "Pastoral."
* Section 3: Trombone
* Real Example: The majestic and powerful trombone chorale in Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F major.
* Section 4: Tuba
* Real Example: The imposing and bassy tuba solo in Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever."

Chapter 4: The Percussion Family

* Section 1: Snare Drum
* Real Example: The sharp and rhythmic snare drum beat in Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in F minor.
* Section 2: Bass Drum
* Real Example: The explosive and thunderous bass drum roll in Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture."
* Section 3: Cymbals
* Real Example: The dramatic and clashing cymbal hits in Verdi's opera "Aida."
* Section 4: Timpani
* Real Example: The resonant and rolling timpani in the opening of Mahler's Symphony No. 1 in D major, known as "Titan."

Chapter 5: Orchestral Combinations

* Section 1: Strings and Woodwinds
* Real Example: The delicate and ethereal interplay between strings and woodwinds in Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4 in A major, known as "Italian."
* Section 2: Brass and Percussion
* Real Example: The powerful and majestic combination of brass and percussion in Holst's "The Planets" suite, movement "Mars."
* Section 3: Full Orchestra
* Real Example: The grand and sweeping sound of a full orchestra in Mahler's Symphony No. 2 in C minor, known as "Resurrection."

Chapter 6: Practical Exercises

* Provides exercises to practice orchestrating various melodies and harmonies, utilizing the instruments and combinations discussed in the previous chapters.