Has anyone got any tips for writing a Wind Quintet? I've got the movements planned already: Polka, Minuet, Valse Lente, Siciliano, Ländler, Tarentella

Write interesting parts for ALL instruments, so not only the flute has the melody, but also other instruments and that the bassoon does not have only low chord notes.

1 hour ago, ilv said:

I completely agree with @Maarten Bauer. I would also make sure you truly understand all notation and range conventions. Please do not add double stops in any of the parts, as wind instruments (except harmojcc, and perhaps a few other free-reeds) cannot play double stops. After that, you can start writing, upload your work, and we'll give you feedback.

 

Agree !

Actually, wind instruments can in fact produce more than one note at the same time. This technique is called multiphonics. However, the system is very difficult to understand for composers, who do not know how to play it themselves.

Moreover, make sure that you know most characteristics and limitations of each instrument. For instance, the flute is much more agile than the oboe.

By the way, when you want a specific timbre that cannot be played by any member of the quintet, you can consider to let one of the performers switch to another member of the same family:

Flute; alto flute; bass flute.

Oboe; Oboe d'amore; English horn

Clarinet in Bb; Clarinet in Eb; alto clarinet; bass clarinet.

Horn.

Bassoon; contrabassoon.

Finally make sure that all instruments are transposed in the corresponding key! This of real importance!

Oh, and how do you compose a Ländler? I've never done it before and wondering f there's a specific firm or mood? All I've found out is about the tempo and stuff.

4 hours ago, aMusicComposer said:

Oh, and how do you compose a Ländler? I've never done it before and wondering f there's a specific firm or mood? All I've found out is about the tempo and stuff.

 

I have done some research for you.

Originally, Ländler are Austrian dances, which appeared in the 18th century for the first time. The main goal in a Ländler is to make a pass at the dance partner.
Normally, it is a dance in 3/4 and sometimes 2/4 or 7/4.
There are different types of Ländler, which differ in place:

• Upper Austra: 60pbm.
• Middle Switzerland: 83 bpm.
• Tirol: 120 (most common) - 180 bpm.

Other sorts:

• Schleunige: 8 bars long melodies and circa 100 bpm.
• Since 1850 also melodies of 16 bars long.

The German Wikipedia page has a lot more information than the English page. Hopefully, you can translate it, if you do not speak German: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ländler

Mozart - 6 German Dances, K. 606.

Schubert - Ländler, D. 366.

Schumann - Albumblätter Op.124 - 7. Ländler.

Beethoven - 6 Ländler for two violins, WoO 15.

Thanks so much!