Orchestration

Details of how bowed string instruments are constructed, the names of their parts, and how they produce sound.

How to properly notate bowings for string instruments. 

Basics about the violin including a quick reference chart, notation, range, tuning, string characteristics, register characteristics, and dynamic capabilities.

Basics about the viola including a quick reference chart, notation, range, tuning, string characteristics, register characteristics, and dynamic capabilities.

Basics about the cello including a quick reference chart, notation, range, tuning, string characteristics, register characteristics, and dynamic capabilities.

Basics about the double bass including a quick reference chart, notation, range, tuning, string characteristics, register characteristics, and dynamic capabilities.

An overview of what will be covered in section 4.

An explanation of vibrato, how this technique is performed, and how to properly notated it in the score. Audio examples are included.

An explanation of legato and détaché, how these techniques are performed,  and how to properly notated them in the score. Audio examples are included.

An explanation of portato, how this technique is performed, and how to properly notated it in the score. Audio examples are included.

An explanation of staccato and spiccato, how these techniques are performed, and how to properly notated them in the score. Audio examples are included.

An explanation of the trill, how this technique is performed, and how to properly notated it in the score. Audio examples are included.

An explanation of the tremolo, how this technique is performed, and how to properly notated it in the score. Audio examples are included.

An explanation of sul tasto and sul ponticello, how these techniques are performed, and how to properly notated them in the score. Audio examples are included.

An explanation of glissando, how this technique is performed, and how to properly notated it in the score. Audio examples are included.

An explanation of portamento, how this technique is performed, and how to properly notated it in the score. Audio examples are included.

An explanation of col legno tratto and col legno battuto, how these techniques are performed, and how to properly notated them in the score. Audio examples are included.

An explanation of mutes, and how to properly notated the placement or removal of a mute. Audio examples are included.

An explanation of natural harmonics (including a brief overview of the harmonic series), how this technique is performed, and how to properly notated it in the score.

An explanation of artificial harmonics, how this technique is performed, and how to properly notated it in the score. Includes audio examples of normal pitches, natural harmonics, and artificial harmonics.

An explanation of pizzicato, how this technique is performed, and how to properly notated it in the score.

An explanation of snap pizzicato, how this technique is performed, and how to properly notated it in the score. Audio examples of both pizzicato and snap pizzicato are included.

An explanation of double stops, triple stops, and quadruple stops, how these techniques are performed, and how to properly notated them in the score.

An explanation of divisi, how this technique is performed, and how to properly notated it in the score.

Video demonstrations of the violin, viola, cello, and double bass.

How chords are played on the harp, which fingers are used, and how to properly notate them. Includes a chart showing the average maximum stretch for each pair of fingers.

Types of glissandi possible on the harp and how to notate them.

The two ways in which a harpist can perform a trill and the benefits to each method.

The three ways in which a harpist can perform a trill and the benefits to each method.

The types of harmonics possible on harp and limitations due to right and left hand.

Video demonstrations of the harp.

An explanation of how woodwinds are constructed, how they produce sound, the Boehm system, reeds, and embouchure.

An explanation of transposition and why we use it.

Basics about the flute including a quick reference chart, notation, range, register characteristics, and dynamic capabilities.

Basics about the piccolo including a quick reference chart, notation, range, transposition, register characteristics, and dynamic capabilities.

Basics about the oboe including a quick reference chart, notation, range, register characteristics, and dynamic capabilities.

Basics about the English horn including a quick reference chart, notation, range, transposition, register characteristics, and dynamic capabilities.

Basics about the clarinet including a quick reference chart, notation, range, transposition, register characteristics, and dynamic capabilities.

Basics about the bass clarinet including a quick reference chart, notation, range, transposition, register characteristics, and dynamic capabilities.

Basics about the bassoon including a quick reference chart, notation, range, register characteristics, and dynamic capabilities.

Basics about the contrabassoon including a quick reference chart, notation, range, transposition, register characteristics, and dynamic capabilities.

An overview of what will be covered in section 9.

An explanation of vibrato on woodwinds, how this technique is performed, and how to properly notated it in the score. Audio examples are included.

An explanation of tonguing on woodwinds, how this technique is performed, and how to properly notated it in the score. Audio examples are included.

An explanation of flutter tongue on woodwinds, how this technique is performed, and how to properly notated it in the score. Audio examples are included.

Guidelines for writing trills on woodwinds. Audio examples are included.

Guidelines for writing tremolos on woodwinds. Audio examples are included.

An explanation of glissando on woodwinds, how this technique is performed, its limitations, and how to properly notated it in the score. Audio examples are included.

An explanation of mutes for woodwinds, how this technique is performed, and how to properly notated it in the score.

Video demonstrations of the piccolo, flute, oboe, English horn, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, and contrabassoon.

The materials brass instruments are made of, the names of their parts, how they produce sound, and a brief history of how brass instruments developed.