Every chapter is packed with excerpted scores from master composers like Ravel, Debussy, Stravinsky, and Bartók, demonstrating how theoretical concepts look and sound in practice. Core Pillars of Orchestration Covered in the Text 1. Mastering Instrument Characteristics
Different methods of spacing chords across various instrumental sections to achieve a homogenous or heterogeneous blend.
Detailed breakdowns of legato, staccato, spiccato, and martelé. The Technique Of Orchestration Kent Kennan Pdf
Transcribing short piano pieces for specific small ensembles. Fixing poorly balanced student scores.
The final third of the book moves away from individual instruments and focuses on synthesis. Every chapter is packed with excerpted scores from
The book is structured to lead the reader from individual instrumental capabilities to complex full-orchestra textures: Google Books The Technique Of Orchestration
The absolute highest and lowest notes possible. The final third of the book moves away
was written by Kent Wheeler Kennan (1913–2003), a distinguished American composer, educator, and author. Kennan's life was deeply intertwined with music; he studied at the prestigious Eastman School of Music, won the Rome Prize in 1936, and spent the majority of his career as a professor of music theory and composition at the University of Texas at Austin. Beyond his famous orchestration text, he also authored a highly regarded book on counterpoint. However, it was his work on orchestration that cemented his legacy, becoming a standard text in classrooms and on bookshelves around the world.
Even if you rely exclusively on high-end MIDI sample libraries (such as Spitfire Audio, Orchestral Tools, or Vienna Symphonic Library), Kennan's principles remain vital. Sample libraries are recorded under ideal conditions, meaning a digital MIDI mockup can easily bypass physical limitations. However, ignoring real-world physics often results in a synthetic, artificial sound.
Detailed analysis of standard woodwinds and their combinations.