Suggest a book on Orchestration

I'm looking for a good reference on orchestration, covering the complete range of instruments.

Particularly:

1) Quick guide to instrument range that most players can reach.

2) Any notes on passages/intervals/speeds etc that are beyond most player's ability for each instrument - obviously to avoid writing music that is likely unplayable on instruments I have no experience playing.

If you have such a book, recommendations would be appreciated.

Walter Piston's Orchestration is probably as good as any but best to get to the library to ensure it is what you want.

Like many reference books of this sort it doesn't actually teach you orchestration. That's part of the composition process which is a bit beyond its scope.

M

Rimsky-Korsakov's 'The Principles of Orchestration'.

Thank you both for your suggestions.

Anyone else?

I personnaly use :

The technique of contemporary orchestration by Alfredo Casella et Virgilio Mortari under Ricordi press which is very complete. And it's also not too expansive for it's quality. I really recommand it.

I've used these:

Kannan & Grantham's Technique of Orchestration

Rimsky-Korsakov's Principles of Orchestration *a bargain!*

You can get Rimsky-Korsakov's Principles of Orchestration online for free at the Garritan forums. Very useful and saves some cash. :P

You can get Rimsky-Korsakov's Principles of Orchestration online for free at the Garritan forums. Very useful and saves some cash. :P

+1

It also has the examples from all the operas so you can hear whats going on, i think it's all sibelius scorch stuff. Tis very handy. It's also got an extra section at the start on instrumentation if i remember correctly.

Mark

Yes, but be aware that this is a very old orchestration treaty... good to know but it lacks a lot of very important stuff. As long as you know that, it's a fine reference. Maybe quiet perfect for beginners.

Oh I don't actually USE it, I was just saying you can get it there :sadtears: I haven't studied an orchestration book in my life; terrible idea, I find. I much prefer learning through experience and practical trial and error; it makes for much more original results. But that's just me :thumbsup:

Marius : ahaha... until you get killed by a performer ! :sadtears:

Well I DO know about the ranges of the instruments and how to make their parts playable, but I learned it by talking to the instrumentalists themselves, not reading it in some book. And none of them have killed me so far and I highly doubt any will do so in the future; unless I deliberately write a hellish part :sadtears:

Of course Marius ! If you have the opportunity to have plenty of instrumentalists around you, that really the best !... but if you want to go further in your knowledge, books are a nessecity... unless... maybe you're allergic to them... them you should avoid ! :sadtears: It could corrupt your mind ! ehehe

I've always preferred first-hand knowledge, I guess. I wouldn't say I'm allergic per se...perhaps I just have a slight subconscious aversion to the ink used in the type. Or something.

Ahahah... Now that I've heard your music... it's doesn't seem worrysome in your case... but I guess that I'll take a double effort to prove you wrong at not reading books ! ahahah... I'm waiting to see the orchestrations of yours... eheh

Thanks everyone for the feedback. :P

You're welcomed ! :P