New Clothes, Same Old Lie Overture (WIP)

Hullo,

This is my first serious orchestral work (hopefully that's not too dreadfully apparent =/) and while it's still unfinished, I was looking to see if I could get comments from fellow composers on the playability of the piece; if my instruments are in bad ranges, if there are technical flaws, and if it's actually playable without major injury on the part of the performers. The one thing I've noticed that perhaps the oboes should be moved an octave down...

I've read all I've found online on the subject of orchestra writing, but I'd imagine talking to other composers with experience would be beneficial.

.mus, .pdf, & .mid files are attached.

Thanks for your time,

PoW

New Clothes, Same Old Lie - Overture.mus

New Clothes, Same Old Lie - Overture.mid

New Clothes, Same Old Lie - Overture.pdf

Hey Avery,

Your ranges are fine. The oboe through measure 6 might be a little low and get covered by the strings (although since it's doubling flute it may just add some body and be nothing to worry about), and everything else looks good. My only other comments are that there's a lot of G-D going on, which can get tiresome to a listener, and make sure to add "non div." to Vln. 1, 2, and Cb. in measure 6 (I'm assuming you want a double stop). Also, "div." is only used in the strings. In brass and other parts you don't need to put anything for divided parts, but you do need to write "a2" ("for 2") when two brass or wind instruments play together on one staff. If you have three separate parts on one staff and you want all instruments to play together, then you use "a3" instead. Markings like "div." and "a2" typically go above the staff, not below.

In the future I recommend uploading a .pdf instead of a Finale file so anyone can view the score. [Edit: I must be blind because I didn't notice the .pdf.] Nice job so far!

Hey Avery,

Your ranges are fine. The oboe through measure 6 might be a little low and get covered by the strings (although since it's doubling flute it may just add some body and be nothing to worry about), and everything else looks good. My only other comments are that there's a lot of G-D going on, which can get tiresome to a listener, and make sure to add "non div." to Vln. 1, 2, and Cb. in measure 6 (I'm assuming you want a double stop). Also, "div." is only used in the strings. In brass and other parts you don't need to put anything for divided parts, but you do need to write "a2" ("for 2") when two brass or wind instruments play together on one staff. If you have three separate parts on one staff and you want all instruments to play together, then you use "a3" instead. Markings like "div." and "a2" typically go above the staff, not below.

In the future I recommend uploading a .pdf instead of a Finale file so anyone can view the score. Nice job so far!

I'm sorry, what do you mean by G-D? Are you referring to the keys or chord progressions?

Ah, thanks about the div., I wasn't aware of that.

And I should have thought about the .pdf, I've added it now. But yeah, thanks for looking it over!

In response to your edit: Lol, your vision is fine. I just now added it. XD

PoW

I'm sorry, what do you mean by G-D? Are you referring to the keys or chord progressions?

I mean bass motion and chord progressions.

In response to your edit: Lol, your vision is fine. I just now added it. XD

Oh good! I came back to your post, saw the .pdf, and thought I missed it the first time. I do wear glasses so I have to be careful of these things...