Playing to an instrument’s strengths
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify key considerations when composing for different instruments, and can exploit the strengths of different instruments in my own composition.
Key learning points
- Considering the strengths and weaknesses of instruments is important when composing.
- Making sure that the range suits each instrument and choosing suitable registers is crucial.
- We should also consider creating opportunities for woodwind and brass players to take breaths.
- Other considerations include the kind of intervals, dynamics and articulation that best suit the instrument.
- Considering using techniques or timbres that are unique to the instrument can help to play to its strengths as well.
Keywords
Range - the span of pitches that a particular instrument can play, from its lowest to its highest possible note
Register - a particular section of an instrument's range (for example, a specific octave)
Disjunct - where notes move by intervals of a third or larger, moving by leap
Common misconception
Every instrument has a defined range.
Some instruments (e.g. piano) have a defined range, but not all. Woodwind and brass instruments, for example, have a typical 'normal' range, but advanced players can often play very high notes beyond the top of that range.
Teacher tip
This composition is also a useful starting point for exploring: writing a piano accompaniment; writing for brass; using a drone; arpeggios; dynamics and articulation; rhythmic motifs; using the sustain pedal; diatonic harmony; melodic writing
Files needed for this lesson
Composition exemplar - solo trumpet and piano (score) 91 KB (PDF)
Composition exemplar - solo trumpet and piano (audio) 3 MB (MP3)
Download these files to use in the lesson.
Licence
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