I see serialism and avant-garde music making a comeback ;)

I really hope not. :(

Why not? It's interesting and fun to analyze =)

Composing in that style is a unique/fun challenge as well!

To be completely honest, I simply don't like how it sounds. I've enjoyed listening to very few pieces written in that style.

Then again, I like a lot of 'new age' music, which do not seem to get much respect amongst the musical elite. Maybe my musical tastes are too pedestrian.

I see serialism and avant-garde music making a comeback ;)

Yeah, I kinda notice the same. It's getting interesting... :o

Anyone know how orchestral percussion is notated (parts and in the conductor's full score)?

From some googling, it seems timpani typically gets its own part/line, but what about stuff like snare/bass drums? And pitched percussion? Do they combine staves if individual parts have very little to do? I've never had the chance to study scores. :(

Thanks in advance.

Typically, the snare, bass drum, and cymbals share a 5-line staff, the timpani gets its own part, and the keyboards/auxiliary percussion (tam-tam, triangle, tambourine, etc) share a line as well. Unless you're scoring for a full size marimba, then it gets its own part. I usually use this set-up:

Orchestral Chimes
Timpani
Percussion 1 - Snare, Bass, Cymbals
Percussion 2 - Keyboards (Xylophone, Bells, Vibraphone), Triangle, Tambourine, Tam-tam
Percussion 3 - Any miscellaneous percussion if needed (more auxiliary or what not)

This is only to keep things consolidated. =P

Wow, thank you very much. Just another question - how are instruments differentiated on combined staves? I assume the non-pitched percussion follow 'drumset' notation, but what if pitched percussion are playing simultaneously? Are they just labeled when they begin playing?

I'm not quite sure how to do that and make it play back the way you want. With the Staff tool, you can switch clefs and switch the notation type to "Standard" instead of percussion, but this goes for the entire line. I don't know how to localize it for a few measures.

The only other thing I can think of is to use the Clef tool to switch clefs mid-song. Though this only addresses the clef issue and not the notation type; it will still look and play back like percussion. Maybe someone else knows, I'd like to know how to do this as well, lol.


what if pitched percussion are playing simultaneously? Are they just labeled when they begin playing?

It all depends on how often each part is playing. If the pitched percussion is playing almost the whole time, then give it its own part (mallet percussion). Same goes for the non-pitched. I've seen scores that gave the crash cymbals and tambourine their own staff.

All in all, it depends on how YOU want to organize it. There is no wrong way :) Just keep in mind that a conductor (you or someone else) is going to have to read it, so if there are too many staves, the score will be too tiny to read, lol.

I'm going to be trying to improve my music composition skills. (Seeing as becoming a composer is one of the future careers I want). I ordered two books, and I'm starting a music theory class in school. Is there anything you guys think you should tell me? Like some tips or a heads up? I've only wrote one composition (I entered it in the winter contest).

This looks pretty sweet!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxg5nP6TsUk

Anyone knows of any good orchestral samples (for individual instruments in an orchestra) thanks in advance!

I started working on a new composition. I played it for Mr McCullough (My band teacher) on Thursday and he said that's has a lot of potential, and that it's very pentatonic. Pentatonic means it focuses on five main notes. This actually isn't a bad thing, most modern music is pentatonic, so it kind of helps it in a way. I plan to keep working on this piece. If I work hard enough, it will turn out as well as it is in my head. On Monday I'll finally get to hear it on a Piano that isn't aged. Now I just need to decide on the next steps I make with this piece. Wish me luck! ^.^

I plan to record it soon. If I do, I will most likely post it on here.

To make lots of shitty music, hmm...

http://jackconte.tumblr.com/post/21755670247/dealing-with-despair

I know this may sound a little selfish... but one of my Summer "study-projects" is to focus on composition (among other things). I was hoping to see a composition contest for the Summer? [The transcribing thing is neat, though, I just wish more options were available to choose from for themes.]

I had in mind mini-contest based on themes for this summer. I already was thinking of 2 ideas that I would like to see.

Please, make it. It'd be enjoyable and I would have something to "write for" too ;)

Your wish will be granted.

Hello Ichigo's Community! How is everyone doing? Any new compositions in the works?

The Ichigos community....is completely dead.

Hopefully it'll revive sometime in the future!

Zombie Ichigos!!! I'm gonna bounce off of HC here and... well... I think it would be great and fun if we do a horror themed composition. Something that would say... "ZOMBIE ICHIGOS". Who's WIth me!??

Night of the Living Advertising Bots?

The contests always end up with like three contestants and two commentors though, Ander. DX
lol @ Para. :3

Brainzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. ................................................

Did you marry the Japanese girl, Hopeless?