 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Forums - Theory / composition / technique
Subject: voicing string sections
Original Message 1/12 27-Mar-02 @ 04:10 AM - voicing string sections
first what scale is this with the tonic being D. Is that dorian C?
second I did a string part over three octaves and liked what I came up with but I just dont really know what theory I am using and want to be better at visualizing it rather than using the ear alone. It's so much trial and error that way. I am refering to the mellow style of layered string sections heard in most sound track scores. I am using fifths and thirds. I create a low part first to harmonize with the bassline, then layer a high melody type string that leads down to the low section. Then I do the middle creating the counter melody. But i get lost along the way somtimes.
Anyone good at classical theory know some guidlines to follow to get a tighter piece that doesn't leave me hanging sometimes with a wrong cadence or feel. I know this is general, but I took theory and we worked on voicing vocals to the nearest note in the direction away from the bass, so I know there are probably rules and guide lines to help make it a little clearer cognatively and less experimental for me. Unfortunatly i never took classes past theory 1. I am thinking of returning.
second I did a string part over three octaves and liked what I came up with but I just dont really know what theory I am using and want to be better at visualizing it rather than using the ear alone. It's so much trial and error that way. I am refering to the mellow style of layered string sections heard in most sound track scores. I am using fifths and thirds. I create a low part first to harmonize with the bassline, then layer a high melody type string that leads down to the low section. Then I do the middle creating the counter melody. But i get lost along the way somtimes.
Anyone good at classical theory know some guidlines to follow to get a tighter piece that doesn't leave me hanging sometimes with a wrong cadence or feel. I know this is general, but I took theory and we worked on voicing vocals to the nearest note in the direction away from the bass, so I know there are probably rules and guide lines to help make it a little clearer cognatively and less experimental for me. Unfortunatly i never took classes past theory 1. I am thinking of returning.
Message 2/12 27-Mar-02 @ 04:24 AM - RE: voicing string sections
| C | C# | D | D# | E | F | F# | G | G# | A | A# | B | C | C# | D | D# | E | F | F# | G | G# | A | A# | B | C | C# | D | D# | E | F | F# | G | G# | A | A# | B | C |
| x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
lost me on the first one there brett. here's the dorian mode of C. mmm-kay?
Message 3/12 27-Mar-02 @ 07:12 AM - RE: voicing string sections
when you arrange things like strings it's best to think of each individual part as seperate melodies. if they work as melodies on their own then it'll be a stronger arrangement. the 'internal' parts (between the top part and the bottom part) might not have very 'interesting' melodies, but that's ok.
then again you can have the top part (or bottom) not moving very much and have more interesting internal parts. holding bottom notes as a 'pedal' can be very effective.
things to avoid are parallel 5ths. (and 8ths, but they're not as bad as 5ths) parallel fifths are when you havs an interval of a fifth between two parts on 2 or more consecutive 'notes'. this is considered to be very bad, i have no idea why.
then again you can have the top part (or bottom) not moving very much and have more interesting internal parts. holding bottom notes as a 'pedal' can be very effective.
things to avoid are parallel 5ths. (and 8ths, but they're not as bad as 5ths) parallel fifths are when you havs an interval of a fifth between two parts on 2 or more consecutive 'notes'. this is considered to be very bad, i have no idea why.
Message 4/12 27-Mar-02 @ 07:16 AM - RE: voicing string sections
| C | C# | D | D# | E | F | F# | G | G# | A | A# | B | C | C# | D | D# | E | F | F# | G | G# | A | A# | B | C | C# | D | D# | E | F | F# | G | G# | A | A# | B | C |
| x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Sorry , forgot to check the box!!
I always do that. I came up with a 16 bar loop with bass beats and one string backing track, then sent it to my buddy. I run into this alot because my freind wrote some strings and a melody hook on the break and keeping it D, but he tranposed to Dorian on me and srewed me all up. I then tried to write stuff to it and it was always out of key. Then by ear I played around and only cmaj notes worked , but the song resovles on D and not C. So the bass is mostly DFA and G. So D right, well I checked my scales and it's Dorian D. Which is the same keys as C with D as the tonic which is what I was getting at.
Thanks Though. I still need any composition string scoring tips people may have.
Message 5/12 27-Mar-02 @ 07:16 AM - RE: voicing string sections
| C | C# | D | D# | E | F | F# | G | G# | A | A# | B | C | C# | D | D# | E | F | F# | G | G# | A | A# | B | C | C# | D | D# | E | F | F# | G | G# | A | A# | B | C |
| x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Sorry , forgot to check the box!!
I always do that. I came up with a 16 bar loop with bass beats and one string backing track, then sent it to my buddy. I run into this alot because my freind wrote some strings and a melody hook on the break and keeping it D, but he tranposed to Dorian on me and srewed me all up. I then tried to write stuff to it and it was always out of key. Then by ear I played around and only cmaj notes worked , but the song resovles on D and not C. So the bass is mostly DFA and G. So D right, well I checked my scales and it's Dorian D. Which is the same keys as C with D as the tonic which is what I was getting at.
Thanks Though. I still need any composition string scoring tips people may have.
Message 7/12 27-Mar-02 @ 12:49 PM - RE: voicing string sections
I usually start off with a melody that comes into my mind. I then add a bassline and other lines to warm it up if I want. I try to make each line melodic so there's movement rather than only block chords with a melody. I find it easier that way to make subtle changes in the feeling of the chords. That's only one way though. Block chords are just as valid.
Message 8/12 27-Mar-02 @ 10:20 PM - RE: voicing string sections
could also say 'lyrical' phrasing, to get that vitagenic 'many lives' feel. maybe you just don't think of things in those terms though.
Message 9/12 28-Mar-02 @ 09:57 PM - RE: voicing string sections
if you're going for realistic, send different notes of your chord to cello, viola, and violin patches. this apparently sounds better than playing block chords on "string section" patches. just read this somewhere, but it makes sense.
Message 10/12 01-Apr-02 @ 07:44 AM - RE: voicing string sections
It's not a sound programming issue,my strings sound fine. I am interested in learning more of theory. About how to voice strings to the bass and resolving on cadences is what i was getting at. Suspentions etc and what works for what types of a feel. I do it all by ear instead of theory. I was looking for some direction in that area. I found my theory book. I'll be going back and looking at the cadences in more detail. I may just go talk to my old theory teacher if have time.
Pages: 1 2
There are 12 total messages for this topic
Reply to Thread
You need to register/login to use the forum.
Click here to Signup or Login !
[you'll be brought right back to this point after signing up]
Back to Forum
