this is one of my first arrangements written for my band at school tell me whatcha think! (PS sorry about no percussion I don't completely understand that at like all)

It's pretty nice just a few comments.


I think you doubled a tid bit too many parts.

It also sounded like it was arranged for piano at one time and then parts of it were assigned to different instruments. For example the counterpoint in the sax line remind me of something that would be played with the left hand on a piano. Plus the average sax player would not like that, the good ones would have no problems with it but those kids who are "just in band" may have difficulty playing that.

Holly octave jumps at the end in the trombones! Brass players tend not to like octave+ jumps so it would be a good idea to remove it or add a rest in between there so they have time to adjust their lips for the higher note.

The Flutes in parts could actually go up another octave. The flute when played on the staff has a darker sound then when it is in it's higher octave. There the flute can be heard more with the higher notes. Don't worry about it looking too high because it's actually quite normal for them.

What about the dynamics and the accents and stuff as such? your score it too vague without them. Through Dynamics and accents and stuff as such you tell the musician exactly how you want them to express their notes, not leaving it for open interpretation. In a concert band setting, and especially at a younger age, it is important that the young musicians develop a sense of discipline towards what they are playing. The first must learn how to play music before they can interpret it on their own because if you can play music and not just learn songs, you can play anything.


That should be enough to get you started. ^_^

Sounds OK-Porsche got a lot of things-but the ranges of some instruments are really hard, and also the switching of the Trombone especially.

Please make it in .mid format. My computer can't open any .mus file for now.

Thanks, and I do have alot of confidence in the sax section at my school so... About the whole flute thing I understand well since I play it, but some parts you can't raise an octave and flute players get annoyed or go out of tune (my band isnt exactly strong in flutes or clarinets). and thanks for the comment on the trombones lol. and I didnt really know the program to use dynamics so... Im proud of it and I wanna get better at arranging/orchestrating and thanks for the crits!

I hope you enjoy it, I learned how to use the program better and just getting more usedta the program.

(Melodies of Life)

Fact: I've tried doing this SO many times, but when you put the Alto Sax with Trumpet in those notes, it doesn't sound right. :P

I didn't really like anything after 14. At some points, it sounds like an ensemble, rather than a band.

~Check your other thread... specific comments there (Rain of a Pure Soul).

In melodies of life, you'd need a bass or trigger trombone. It's highly, highly improbabble for a trobone player to play anything below an E flat as fast as that. I'm one of the skilled that can hit a low B flat, (on a regular C trombone,) but definitely not in a song... Only when I'm practicing and well warmed up. A tuba could definitely play that though! :lol:

However, unlike Porsche said, I'm just fine with eighth note octave jumping, (I've done some of that in allegro, AND I'M AN 8TH GRADER.) Just move the notes up a little. Beleive me, I would rather play some of those parts an octave up! x_x

In my opinion, I think that orchestrating from Piano ---> Concert Band/Orchestra is the hardest of all. Arpeggios, and chording. :bleh:

+ another thing. You don't have to JUST use everything on the Piano part. :P Make your own stuff up.


Orchestration Issues:

You have Trombone, Baritone Sax, and Bass Clarinet in the beginning in Unison. It's probably best to put Bass Cl. an octave lower there, since Bass Cl. is usually in unison with a Tuba. Meas. 36-37, the Alto Sax harmonies DID NOT work well at all (put it in Concert Pitch, you'll see why). Same with the last two measures.

Some instruments need SLURRING marks!

There is also a serious lack of long tones. Meas. 10-12 had a lack of variety. Add some crescendos, you're heading to a new phrase after these measures.

Assuming you're a beginner, the notes at meas. 27 do not work; first of all, Bass Cl. on high notes (D and above) do not work well; it takes a lot of practice. Not even I'm ready for that stuff yet . Note that I'm a Bass Cl. player myself.

(Sorry for being picky... :P).