(Score Only) An Overdose, Death, and An Ambulance Ride for Unconventional Orchestra

[Hunter Bolton]

I'm aware that no orchestras have enough flutes for this, so if you're going to say something about that, please suggest specific measures and what instrument you would have playing each note.  The last chord is only there to serve as a transition to the next movement, which has already been written.  Should I use the two completed movements as a beginning and an end to a song cycle (which would likely include vocals), the last chord would be discarded.  Also, since the piece is short of a miniature horn concerto, where should the horn part go on the score?  Again, as always, open to all criticisms, but please be constructive and keep in mind this type of music is very esoteric.  And am I notating those triplets properly starting in measure 5?  Does this piece remind you of any public domain poems?  Thanks in advance!

Second Movement (or last movement of unfinished song cycle [tbd]) probably coming later today.

StaffPad An Overdose Death and An Ambulance Ride Movement I (3).pdf

[Tyler Hughes]

Before I go deeper into this, I need to know a few things:

1. Why this orchestration? Is their a reason or did you come to this because of a specific sound you were going for? If so what sound is it you are trying to reach?
2. Where is this piece going? Is this a complete movement or a sketch?
3. What are some of the musical elements are you going for in this piece?

[Hunter Bolton]

1.  Yes, I wanted the sound (at least how it sounds in StaffPad).

2.  It's a complete movement.  I want to use it as an introduction to a vocal song cycle.
3.  I'm not sure what you mean (I googled musical elements and rhythm, melody, harmony, etc. came up [all of which I am using[).

Thanks everyone!

Tyler Hughes said:

Before I go deeper into this, I need to know a few things:

1. Why this orchestration? Is their a reason or did you come to this because of a specific sound you were going for? If so what sound is it you are trying to reach?
2. Where is this piece going? Is this a complete movement or a sketch?
3. What are some of the musical elements are you going for in this piece?

[Hunter Bolton]

I have Logic Pro 9 (DAW) and Staffpad (notation software), but I'm not importing my new work into Logic Pro 9 unless I have a real reason to.  And no, I do not know what flutes moving in block chords sound like - is it bad?  Can you make a specific instruction as to what to do about the upper brass ranges?  Thanks for the comment, Bob.

Bob Porter said:

Hunter,

I forget, do you have software that plays this for you or are you writing using a piano?

Do you know what flutes moving in block chords sound like? By the way, the moving flute part will probably get lost in the other flutes sounds. Orchestras can pull in extra flutes, but they won't like no violas.

Watch upper brass ranges. Just because your range chart says your notes are playable doesn't always mean you should use them. A high C on trumpet out of no where might be more trouble than it's worth. Playable? You bet. Easy? Who cares. The right effect at the right time? That's the question.

Know the instruments you are writing for. Have you heard the effects you are using done by others? If not, maybe there is a reason.

One of the curses composers have is that they have all these sounds in their heads trying to get out. Good luck.