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Bass Clef Instruments for an orchestra?


SilverWolf

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I was wondering if someone could give some tips on what instruments to boost the bass range of an orchestra, currently I am using EWQLSO and am somewhat limited on the range of certain instruments. Also wondering if they could direct me towards which instruments play which clefs in soprano, alto, tenor, bass.

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We meet again, SilverWolf!

When it comes to bass instruments, a typical orchestra has these to choose from: bassoon, trombone, tuba, timpani, cello, and double bass. All of these read the bass clef (but the double bass sounds an octave lower than what's written). Except for the bassoon, all of these can be pretty loud and give some volume to your depths, but the trombones, tuba and timpani are really capable of making some noise. (Unfortunately, the timpani are not versatile at all, and are usually stuck playing only 4 different notes. Don't overuse them!) Most often throughout any given piece, the cellos and basses will provide the bass section. Sometimes the bassoons can join in, but they're not heard very well over the strings (there are only 2 bassoons to a dozen or more cellos and basses), so bassoons are better left for softer sections.

On 6/20/2019 at 8:37 PM, SilverWolf said:

Also wondering if they could direct me towards which instruments play which clefs in soprano, alto, tenor, bass.

Treble (soprano) clef instruments: piccolo, flute, oboe, english horn, clarinet, French horn, trumpet, violin

Alto clef instruments: viola

Tenor clef instruments: this is a rare clef, but the cellos and tenor trombones sometimes use it; the rest of the time they use the bass clef

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