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Articulation Guide
2
Tobias Escher
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Iconica
Table of Contents |
3 |
1. Iconica Sections & Players |
4 |
|
1.1 |
The Orchestra - Score Order |
............................................................. 5 |
1.2 |
Woodwinds ......................................................................................... |
7 |
1.3 |
Brass ................................................................................................. |
12 |
1.4 |
Percussion ........................................................................................ |
15 |
1.5 |
Strings .............................................................................................. |
19 |
Iconica
Iconica Sections & Players |
4 |
1 Iconica Sections & Players
Iconica Sections & Players provides single instruments and instrumental sections across the
orchestra.
This section lists all included instruments/sections along with their articulations and
properties.
Iconica
Iconica Sections & Players |
5 |
1.1The Orchestra - Score Order
Iconica Sections & Players in its instrument line-up follows the instrumental canon of the large symphonic orchestra, as it has come to be established after the age of impressionism. Today this body of sound is widely used not only for playing the traditional orchestral repertoire all across the globe, but also for new modern classical music and of course the wide realm of film and media music, where the orchestra has found a whole new area to provide expression.
The orchestra is made up of four large sections, each comprising several instruments. These sections are listed here in score order, meaning the order in which instruments are generally listed in sheet music. Numbers of players given are for a large orchestra – there might be fewer players in some instances, or even more, but these numbers provide a general reference.
Multiples of the same instrument very often do not play the same notes, though it can happen for effect. When writing, keep in mind that there is no need for Flutes 1 and 2 to play the same notes. Also, higher instruments need not necessarily always play the highest notes and – skill of the respective players figured in – any instrument within reason can fill any role. There is also no rule that states individual instruments may only play if all players of that instrument are playing. Oboe 2 may very well play while Oboe 1 has a couple of rests, for example. Last but not least, while the first player of any instrument (Flute 1, Trumpet 1, ...) will generally be the most skilled player and play exposed solo passages, it is up to the composer to give such passages to the other player(s). In a nutshell: All instruments are there to provide tools for you to realize your musical vision. While there may be established practices, these are not laws and – within the technical capabilities of the instrument – you can do whatever you wish!
Woodwinds
The woodwinds instruments are the most diverse group of the orchestra. You will find flutes, oboes, clarinets and bassoons in here, along with some additional instruments.
All these are wind instruments, so the sound is created by the player blowing air into the instrument. While most woodwinds are indeed made of wood, this is not true of all these instruments. Concert flutes are not made of wood, for example, but stem from earlier instruments that were.
Generally there are two or three flutes, with one player doubling (= also playing) the piccolo flute.
Two oboes (one of the players also playing the english horn, which contrary to the name is not a brass instrument), two or three clarinets (again with one player doubling on bass clarinet) and two bassoons (one doubling on contrabassoon) complete the woodwind section.
Out of all the woodwinds, the clarinets are the only instruments to be written transposed in the score; usually they are in Bb, though there are other tunings.
All woodwinds can play one note at a time.
Brass
The brass instruments also create sound by air going through the instrument.
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Iconica Sections & Players |
6 |
Though not the highest in pitch, the brass section begins with the french horns (which have no relation to the english horn). Belonging to the brass section, the french horns "in spirit" are often connected to the woodwinds and are usually sitting on their left. There are usually four french horns in an orchestra. Horn players generally specialize on playing more in the lower range or more in the higher range. These players are referred to as "low horn" or "high horn", respectively. Deceptively, the high horns usually are Horn 1 and 3, while the low horns are 2 and 4 and are noted this way in sheet music. The horn section can play in unison (often used for sweeping melodies), but more commonly each horn plays a different note.
Two or three trumpets (with a player doubling on related instruments) provide the high end of the brass section. Two or three trombones (one player nearly always doubling on bass trombone) as well as one or more euphoniums and usually one tuba cover the middle to low end. All brass instruments have the ability to play extremely loud, easily overpowering any other instrument. At the same time they are able to play relatively quietly, with a very notable change in timbre through the dynamic range. Keep this in mind when writing.
Brass instruments with the exception of the trombones and tuba are written transposed. French horns are in F, trumpets generally in Bb (though there are C trumpets). The euphonium in orchestral literature is written in concert pitch, though some band repertoire treats it as a Bb-transposing instrument.
Tip:
Woodwind and brass instruments require air, so there is a limit to how long notes can be held, especially at high volume. As a rule of thumb, try singing the lines you want these instruments to play. If you need to breathe, so most likely will the players.
Percussion
The percussion section is vast and there is seemingly no end to the instruments you may find there. Very broadly speaking, there are four major areas of percussion, all represented in Iconica Sections & Players:
Timpani
Melodic Percussion
Drums
Metals
Strings
The string section is special, because it is the only orchestral section where the instruments differ in tonal range, but not so much in sound. In fact, it is the very idea that a string section can produce a coherent sound across a very wide pitch range. All individual string sections (Violins I, Violins II, Violas, Celli, and Basses) are present.
You will also find a concert harp including a variety of glissandi.
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Iconica Sections & Players |
7 |
1.2Woodwinds
Piccolo Flute
Legato
Legato Runs
Staccato ... 5 RR
Staccatissimo ... 7 RR
Sustain
Sustain Vibrato
Repetitions
Marcato ... 2 RR
Fortepiano
Crescendo Long
Crescendo Short
Decrescendo
Swell Long
Swell Short
Trills ST
Trills WT
Flute I
Legato
Legato Runs
Staccato ... 5 RR
Staccatissimo ... 7 RR
Sustain
Sustain Vibrato
Repetitions
Marcato ... 2 RR
Fortepiano
Crescendo Long
Crescendo Short
Decrescendo
Swell Long
Swell Short
Trills ST
Trills WT
Flute II
Legato
Legato Runs
Staccato ... 5 RR
Staccatissimo ... 7 RR
Sustain
Sustain Vibrato
Repetitions
Marcato ... 2 RR
Fortepiano
Crescendo Long
Iconica
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