This is certainly an informative and educational video! I'm still waiting for more episodes! Please inspire more composers and arrangers to use brass instruments!
Would love to see more videos like that from Mr Harper with more advice on how to arrange for brass band since I think he is doing the best working and most tasteful arrangements out there
Thank you for the wonderful information here. Very educational. When arranging for our recorder orchestra, I try to keep some of things you've mentioned in mind. Since we are all recorders, it's difficult at time to get the timbre I need. For instance, to emulate the sound of the horns I use the great bass recorders in the upper register. And for euphoniums I use the contrabass recorders in the upper register. It's fun to try different things and see what sound the musicians and instruments come up with.
For anyone unfamiliar trying to learn how to write for brass band. The Tenor Horns essentially work like violas or alto voices. The Solo Horn is often required to play horn solos similar to the soloistic role french horns play in the orchestra. There are typically 3 horn lines on the score labelled: Solo Horn, 1st Horn, 2nd Horn.
My modest request: when scoring/arranging give something interesting for all the instruments, even the humble "inner" ones to do at some point in the proceedings. You and Fernie are masters at that.
Great explanation thanks. When it comes to audio recording, it always pays to have someone do that while wearing headphones to monitor the level if a VU meter is not available.
Thanks for explaining the brass band scoring. I've been trying to arrange music for brass, but I could never get my head around the scoring conventions!
Did you start yet? Although not covered in the video - would like to find out about the nuts and bolts too. e.g which software or is it pencil & paper etc.?
This information is not true for young Americans or those beginning learning an instrument. I would not use this as a way to introduce instruments to your granddaughter. Especially since half of the instruments used here are not used in many bands.
Wow! what a brilliant resource! im currently trying to wrap my head around this and failing...im a mere percussionist hehe! one that im trying is to convert all my wind band and orchestral to brass...failing successfully! One that does baffle and bug me...why is bass trom in bass clef...I mean why break the pattern?
Bass Trombones used to be in the key of G, and reading Treble Clef for that instrument would've been pretty horrendous (considering that everything else is in Bb or Eb). Also, there's two main historical keys for Bass Trombones (G and Bb), so Bass Clef helps to avoid issues where a player has an instrument in the wrong key
Edward Gregson deployed two flugels in the second Aria of his 1984 Dances & Arias. Philip Sparke used the same voicing twice - Music of the Spheres and Raveling Unraveling in 2016
I would suggest that modern brass band arrangers and composers do not use all the colours available or combinations of colours available to the best advantage. Brass bands seem to be stuck in the mindset of cornet and euphonium as the carrier of the melody. To a lesser extent the flugel and the solo horn have their opportunities. But trombones are left with just colour chords and, I might add, boring parts to play. This is why I also play in concert bands where the arrangers have a more open attitude to trombones. Mind you, I currently play in a D grade brass band so a lot of the music is easy arrangements with little or no approach to more modern thinking, but the A grade ones I have played in tend to follow this type of thinking too except when it comes to contest music. There should more use made of the lower brass in general but not those silly charts like Lassus Trombone which I regard as an insult to the trombone. Smears are great but those overused long glissandos should be relegated to the scrap heap. Other than that this series is an excellent starter for those looking to begin their arranging/composing careers.
This is certainly an informative and educational video! I'm still waiting for more episodes! Please inspire more composers and arrangers to use brass instruments!
Would love to see more videos like that from Mr Harper with more advice on how to arrange for brass band since I think he is doing the best working and most tasteful arrangements out there
There are more on the way, just as soon as we hire a decent editor! Watch this space!
@@thecoryband1884 Waiting for more scoring videos!!! Lovely introduction - how about something more "meaty."
Thank you for the wonderful information here. Very educational. When arranging for our recorder orchestra, I try to keep some of things you've mentioned in mind. Since we are all recorders, it's difficult at time to get the timbre I need. For instance, to emulate the sound of the horns I use the great bass recorders in the upper register. And for euphoniums I use the contrabass recorders in the upper register. It's fun to try different things and see what sound the musicians and instruments come up with.
Wow, I love that! Thanks. Looking forward to watch more episodes!
Having a whole spiel on the various roles the Flugel Horn has and then simply saying " The Tenor Horn plays an octave lower than the soprano". Brutal
For anyone unfamiliar trying to learn how to write for brass band. The Tenor Horns essentially work like violas or alto voices. The Solo Horn is often required to play horn solos similar to the soloistic role french horns play in the orchestra. There are typically 3 horn lines on the score labelled: Solo Horn, 1st Horn, 2nd Horn.
My modest request: when scoring/arranging give something interesting for all the instruments, even the humble "inner" ones to do at some point in the proceedings. You and Fernie are masters at that.
Great explanation thanks. When it comes to audio recording, it always pays to have someone do that while wearing headphones to monitor the level if a VU meter is not available.
Thanks for explaining the brass band scoring. I've been trying to arrange music for brass, but I could never get my head around the scoring conventions!
This is a wonderful resource for budding composers. Thanks for putting this together Mr. Harper & Cory Band!
Thank you, Nathan!
Oh my did I need this video! Thank you
This is brilliant!! I’m thinking of attempting to start arranging for brass bands.
Did you start yet? Although not covered in the video - would like to find out about the nuts and bolts too. e.g which software or is it pencil & paper etc.?
Thank you.
thank you, this was very helpful
An excellent resource. Thanks!
That was very interesting. I’m saving this for my granddaughter to watch before she chides her instrument of choice 🎺
This information is not true for young Americans or those beginning learning an instrument. I would not use this as a way to introduce instruments to your granddaughter. Especially since half of the instruments used here are not used in many bands.
Please where is the modern Bb trumpet and French Horn
Wow! what a brilliant resource! im currently trying to wrap my head around this and failing...im a mere percussionist hehe! one that im trying is to convert all my wind band and orchestral to brass...failing successfully! One that does baffle and bug me...why is bass trom in bass clef...I mean why break the pattern?
Bass Trombones used to be in the key of G, and reading Treble Clef for that instrument would've been pretty horrendous (considering that everything else is in Bb or Eb). Also, there's two main historical keys for Bass Trombones (G and Bb), so Bass Clef helps to avoid issues where a player has an instrument in the wrong key
tha hle mai. beautiful
I've often seen modern brass band compositions drop the Repiano cornet and in it's place put a second Flugelhorn. Is there a reason for this?
DustyC7 Only ever seen that once - Music of the Spheres. I wouldn't do it if i were you, stick to convention
That is a fantastic piece though.
Edward Gregson deployed two flugels in the second Aria of his 1984 Dances & Arias. Philip Sparke used the same voicing twice - Music of the Spheres and Raveling Unraveling in 2016
I would suggest that modern brass band arrangers and composers do not use all the colours available or combinations of colours available to the best advantage. Brass bands seem to be stuck in the mindset of cornet and euphonium as the carrier of the melody. To a lesser extent the flugel and the solo horn have their opportunities. But trombones are left with just colour chords and, I might add, boring parts to play. This is why I also play in concert bands where the arrangers have a more open attitude to trombones. Mind you, I currently play in a D grade brass band so a lot of the music is easy arrangements with little or no approach to more modern thinking, but the A grade ones I have played in tend to follow this type of thinking too except when it comes to contest music. There should more use made of the lower brass in general but not those silly charts like Lassus Trombone which I regard as an insult to the trombone. Smears are great but those overused long glissandos should be relegated to the scrap heap. Other than that this series is an excellent starter for those looking to begin their arranging/composing careers.
Better quality mic from my iPhone!!
Can we borrow your iPhone for next time, then please?
Thank you for your video of our Open performance. The sound is very good!
Good content. But fire the video editor! Annoying, trendy tricks, and transitions straight out of the Amiga Video Toaster.
We know - you just can't get decent editors these days! Glad the message came across though.
Cory Band since you mention the editing twice, do I detect a joke? Are you the editor?
I don’t understand why flugel horns, cornets and euphoniums exist I don’t know why you can’t just replace them with trumpets and a baritone
It's all about the tone color of the instruments. Trumpets and baritones sound brighter than all the instruments you just mentioned.