Orchestration Techniques : Writing for Strings

What we're going to learn in this section on the string family instruments

Discover the string instruments in an orchestra, including how they're built, the various parts of the string instruments, and what each part does.

Learn how the string musical instruments are played,  how to layout string instruments in an orchestra, and how many string instruments are in a typical orchestra.

To clear up any confusion when we're talking about string instrument ranges...

In this lecture we learn the violin string notes, violin range, and the violin timbre and characteristics.

In this lecture we learn the viola open strings, viola range, and the viola timbre and characteristics.

In this lecture we learn the cello string notes, cello range, and the cello timbre and characteristics.

In this lecture we learn the contrabass string notes, double bass range, and the contrabass timbre and characteristics.

Learn how to best use the musical instrument ranges.

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This section is all about string techniques - from basic articulations to advanced bowing techniques. Plus, all techniques are demonstrated live by violinist Xiana Harron.

Discover the main dynamics in music and the dynamic markings that are available to all instruments, including strings.

Learn the string articulations, including how they're played and how they sound. By the end of the lecture you'll know exactly what each music articulation marking is.

String bowing techniques open up a whole world of new timbres to experiment with. Here's what's available to you, and how each one sounds - including advanced violin bowing techniques and bow strokes.

As well as the articulations and bowing techniques, string instruments are also capable of a whole host of other extended techniques, including string harmonics, which are all covered here. Once again expertly demonstrated by violinist Xiana Harron.

In this section we're looking at how to create string arrangements from single melodies or chord sequences. Composing for strings doesn't have to be hard!

An overview of the five textures in music that you can use to write better string parts. Includes monophonic, homophonic, pedal and ostinato, polyphonic, and melody and accompaniment textures.

Five sections = maximum of a five note chord, right? Wrong. Using divisi strings or string double stops allows each section to play multiple notes. Here's how, along with which pitfalls to avoid.

How to voice a chord on string instruments, including which notes to double, and how to properly space out the notes.

In this group of videos I show you how to take a simple melody and develop it into a fully developed string part.

In part I we look at adding bass and cellos to our melody.

In this group of videos I show you how to take a simple melody and develop it into a fully developed string part.

In Part II we add harmony to our melody.

In this group of videos I show you how to take a simple melody and develop it into a fully developed string part.

In part III we add a countermelody.

In this group of videos I show you how to take a simple melody and develop it into a fully developed string part.

In part IV we add our final harmonies and add some realism to our parts.

In this collection of videos we look at how to take a 4-chord sequence and turn it into a variety of different patterns to be played by string instruments.

In part I we get our basic chord voicings organised.

In this collection of videos we look at how to take a 4-chord sequence and turn it into a variety of different patterns to be played by string instruments.

In part II we play with rhythm.

In this collection of videos we look at how to take a 4-chord sequence and turn it into a variety of different patterns to be played by string instruments.

In part III we add rests and look at how to add interesting countermelodies.

In this section we're going to look at how to work with existing pieces of music.

We begin by analysing my award-winning film score, and then look at how to work with a full orchestration, and finally how to add exciting and creative string parts to a song.

Covering music arranging techniques and a variety of orchestration techniques, there's a lot to learn in this section!

In this group of videos I take you through the score for "Candlestick" - an award-winning film score written for the string section of the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.

In part I I show you exactly what audio files you'll be working with when a professional string orchestra is recorded in a world class studio.

In this group of videos I take you through the score for "Candlestick" - an award-winning film score written for the string section of the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.

In part II we look at how dynamics have been used in the score.

In this group of videos I take you through the score for "Candlestick" - an award-winning film score written for the string section of the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.

In part III we look at the string articulations and bowing techniques, and have a final listen through putting everything we've learned to the test.

In this section we explore how to improve an existing orchestration, focusing on doubling instruments and playing to the strengths of each part. We experiment with how different orchestra sections work with the string instruments, and look at some more orchestration techniques.

In part I we look at the original orchestration, and things we can improve.

In this section we explore how to improve an existing orchestration, focusing on doubling instruments and playing to the strengths of each part. We experiment with how different orchestra sections work with the string instruments, and look at some more orchestration techniques.

In part II we make changes to the orchestration and hear the effect they have.

We look at how to add creative string parts to a song, and at some music arranging techniques. Starting with a simple acoustic pop song, we build in our strings layer by layer until we have an exciting, interesting string part.

In part I we listen to what we're working with, and make sure our project is setup correctly.

We look at how to add creative string parts to a song, and at some music arranging techniques. Starting with a simple acoustic pop song, we build in our strings layer by layer until we have an exciting, interesting string part.

In part II we get our basic chord sequence worked out.

We look at how to add creative string parts to a song, and at some music arranging techniques. Starting with a simple acoustic pop song, we build in our strings layer by layer until we have an exciting, interesting string part.

In part III we improve our chord voicings and add a countermelody.

We look at how to add creative string parts to a song, and at some music arranging techniques. Starting with a simple acoustic pop song, we build in our strings layer by layer until we have an exciting, interesting string part.

In part IV we use rhythm to heighten the intensity of the composition.

We look at how to add creative string parts to a song, and at some music arranging techniques. Starting with a simple acoustic pop song, we build in our strings layer by layer until we have an exciting, interesting string part.

In part V we bounce our countermelody around the string section.

We look at how to add creative string parts to a song, and at some music arranging techniques. Starting with a simple acoustic pop song, we build in our strings layer by layer until we have an exciting, interesting string part.

In part VI we hear our final piece, and look at how to make it sound more realistic.

In the final section of the course I show you how to make your MIDI string samples sound more realistic.

I show you how to make your MIDI string samples sound more realistic.

In part I we look at some automation and velocity techniques.

I show you how to make your MIDI string samples sound more realistic.

In part II I show you have to get different articulations on your string sample libraries.