Brass Instrument guidlines?

Hello, I've composed several pieces before. Mostly for piano, and string quartet. However, I've recently been asked to write a piece for a small town's centennial celebration (I don't live there, but I do have close family there).

So, I thought that I would go out of my zone, and try to incorporate a brass section in this peace (I was going to try to use it as counterpoint for the string section). It wouldn't be anything too big, just 1 (maybe 2) trumpet and a tuba.

But because I've never touched brass in my life (both composing and preforming), I know nothing about it. Thus, I'm looking for information that I can learn about brass. Anything from what their ranges are, to what techniques they specialize in.

I appreciate any help you give me, and apologize if this is in the wrong section.



Thank You

This is the right section, fear not

For instrument ranges etc I recommend wikipedia. It should have the ranges of any instrument you choose to work with as well as common techniques and other useful information. As for learning how to write for them, I can strongly recommend the Orchestration masterclasses on this forum, in the masterclasses section. They are written by one of our most knowledgable members, QcCowboy, who has a real talent for teaching as well as being an amazingly talented composer.

If you want a brass section I can tell you the norm would be three trumpets, four horns, two tenor trombones, a bass trombone and a tuba. This could, however, be cut down if necessary.

Good luck

Wow, that would increase the amount of instruments by about 30%, making it much more difficult to create a proper harmony for (at least that's the way I'm seeing it).

But I will do what you said to. I thank you.

It shouldn't be any more difficult to create 'proper' harmony with more instruments. Just remember that not all the instruments have to be playing all of the time. Obviously you will want moments where everyone's playing but remember when you have more instruments you can get a great deal more variety by mixing it up, changing instrumentation, and using the instruments you have to their full potential.

It also depends on the size of group you want to do. If you want a modest size perhaps a brass quintet, you would only need to worry about writing for five instruments.

Hmm, I'll take that into consideration. (I usually keep the instruments playing most of the time).

But I'm trying also trying to keep the instrument number small, mostly so that this 100 person town (given practice) could actually be able to play it. (As it is, about 1/(8-10) will need to play an instrument for the town to be able to play the song.

But for future songs, wow, I can't believe I didn't realize this [smacks head against the wall].

I've found that when accompanying strings, you would do well limiting yourself to a small ensemble with no more than three or so players. I would reccomend perhaps a trumpet, horn and trombone.

Ok, well the sections are thus,

A String Quartet, a brass trio, a piano, and a singer (possibly more then one, but I haven't made more than one voice for them yet).

Sounds like a good ensemble

Thanks, and these master classes are good. I'll be doing it for a while though.