October 15, 201015 yr if it's a solo piece, no more than 20 seconds, and that's a lil much I would say. We can do it up to about 25 seconds but just because we CAN do doesn't mean write it! I normally say no more than fifteen for high-end stuff and ten seconds for easier pieces. if it's ensemble, we can stagger so you wouldn't notice!
October 15, 201015 yr Well, oboe players can sometimes hold it for more than a minute. If it's a solo piece, don't do more than 15 or so. In large orchestra, they can breathe without others noticing.
October 15, 201015 yr Completely dependent on range, dynamics, and instrument. Exactly, -------------------- First, never forget all people must breath :D even musicians, may sound obvious but I'll tell you, sometimes you still have air in your lungs but you have to release it because you NEED to breath again... I will only answer about the winds I play, (which are only 3 :P ) Clarinet: ppp (as long as you can hold by taking a deep breath) pp 30 seconds p 25 seconds f 20 seconds ff 18 fff 15 Tenor Saxophone: ppp (there is no ppp on tenor unless...) ¬ ppp (breathy tone) 8 seconds (less lip pressure needs more air) pp (breathy tone) 10 seconds p (normal) 18 f ( " ) 15 ff ( " ) 10 fff ( " ) 8 Soprano Saxophone: ppp 25 pp 20 p 20 f 15 ff 15 fff 12 Of Course, don't use these numbers as overall rules, you have a an idea.
October 16, 201015 yr Author ah thanks everyone, I'm writing for chamber orchestra, it has 1 of each wind and brass
October 16, 201015 yr Take a deep breath. Now blow. There is your answer. But of course, you have to take inconsideration how much breath you an instrument needs to sound, and how much it takes for it to continue to sound. So a brass instrument is probably hard to keep sustatined than, say, a clarinet!
October 17, 201015 yr 20 seconds? 30? 40? There's no real general rule. All of these elements factor heavily into it. Is the instrument doubled? How loud is it? What range of the instrument is it in? What instrument is it? How does the note lay on the horn? (Some are hot notes that don't come out as easily) Are catch-breaths out of the question? Is the player professional, amatuer, or hs/ms? Your best bet is just to learn by trial and error.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.