came here from a lively online discussion about the quality of tutorials and whether something like this (how to write a symphony) exists. good stuff, bret.
This is an excellent miniseries. It's a shame that I don't have the capacity to create original music. I can only reproduce it, but these videos could be very useful for arranging or transcribing.
I’m a Trumpet Player (Flugelhorn soloist whenever I have the chance) in 11th Grade, I’m loving your videos especially the Alto Clarinet support. We are playing a piece, The Seal Lullaby (Eric Whitacre), and it has a quiet Woodwind ending that is dying for some alto clarinets to beef up the Clarinet section. We have 11 Bb Clarinets, 3 Bass Clarinets, and 2 Bassoons (the only double reeds we have, no oboes). Tenor Saxes are the only true tenor voice we have in our woodwind section.
Excellent explanation of a Symphony. While I suspect a composer can name his musical piece anything he wants, naming it a "Symphony" provides the listener with certain expectations that should be met by the composer.
I am indeed. I studied some with David and have worked on and off with his son Matthew. I've performed Symphony 4 twice and still think it one of the best works for wind band out there.
His comment about music having broader significance really stuck. I really really miss old public radio that used to exist in part for music and discussions of serious music that the other stations would never ever play. NPR now interviews Hip Hop stars, Beyonce and if it's an opera , the opera is about something in recent news. It's like they can't cover classical unless passed through a "Is it about oppression or struggle?" test. I guess they figure we all watch UA-cam clips and don't need radio experts. The late Karl Hass had a great show for amateurs like us. The Opera Box, Texaco Met broadcasts. I weep when I listen to NPR now. It's like a bulletin board in a minor city's town hall.
Hi Bret! I just bought a alto c melody sax and had it restored, I was wondering if you know where to find the fingering chart for alto C melody sax and how to play them? Or where you learned to play it. Could you show me where or even have a video on how to play Alto C Melodies?
It sounds as if you are completely new to saxophone. If that's the case, it is not a wise idea to start on C Tenor (aka C Melody) as there is simply no literature for it. That said, all saxophones follow the same fingering scheme and will read music in the same way. Best bet is to find a local teacher.
Hi, Could you please answer these for me: 1) How are the symphonies numbered e.g Beethoven's symphony no. 3? What is the meaning of a symphony in scale C# etc. i.e. what is the scale here?
The numbering is simply the order in which the symphonies were written. The "scale" you mention shouldn't be interpreted as a scale but as the tonality of the piece. So Beethoven's Symphony 3 in E-flat is the third symphony he wrote and it starts and ends in the key of E-flat.
@@BretNewtonComposer Thanks for answering... So, does a symphony have to start and end at the same note? And what is meant by key of E-flat? Is this a chord or a single note? Also is there a rule on how many octaves to cover? When you talk about tonality... is it that E (from any octave) is used the most, compared to (CDEFGAB)? Sorry I am illiterate when It comes to music technicalities... Can one find out what is the scale/tone/note of any symphony (even by recording and analyzing or just by listening to it)?
literally sharing all the knowledge he has gained in about 15 years of it
Mahler completed ten symphonies. He left The Song of the Earth unnumbered to cheat death.
came here from a lively online discussion about the quality of tutorials and whether something like this (how to write a symphony) exists. good stuff, bret.
This is an excellent miniseries. It's a shame that I don't have the capacity to create original music. I can only reproduce it, but these videos could be very useful for arranging or transcribing.
I agree, really appreciate you taking the time to share your expertise with the world Bret. I'm learning a lot! Thank you.
Just got to see Bruckner’s “Romantic” - made me want to compose my own - it was a little long and drawn out but had some good themes
Definitely keep making videos, please.
I plan to. Just took some time away for the holidays.
I’m a Trumpet Player (Flugelhorn soloist whenever I have the chance) in 11th Grade, I’m loving your videos especially the Alto Clarinet support. We are playing a piece, The Seal Lullaby (Eric Whitacre), and it has a quiet Woodwind ending that is dying for some alto clarinets to beef up the Clarinet section. We have 11 Bb Clarinets, 3 Bass Clarinets, and 2 Bassoons (the only double reeds we have, no oboes). Tenor Saxes are the only true tenor voice we have in our woodwind section.
I doubt Whitacre has ever used the Alto Clarinet in any of his works. Probably too influenced by band directors disparaging the instrument.
Bret Newton - Composer Yeah but I believe the song would’ve had a completely different and fuller sound with 2-3 alto clarinet players in our band.
Of course, it will sound different, but it's not up to us to change a composer's work.
Oh yeah I wouldn't add instruments to someone's piece.
Excellent explanation of a Symphony. While I suspect a composer can name his musical piece anything he wants, naming it a "Symphony" provides the listener with certain expectations that should be met by the composer.
Are you familiar with the symphonies of David Maslanka? It would be awesome to hear your thoughts on them (especially the 4th) later in this series.
I am indeed. I studied some with David and have worked on and off with his son Matthew. I've performed Symphony 4 twice and still think it one of the best works for wind band out there.
@@BretNewtonComposer I absolutely agree, it's a true masterpiece.
excellent!!
my insane ass woke up this morning looking to bang out some symphonia.
thanks for the knowledge.!!
His comment about music having broader significance really stuck. I really really miss old public radio that used to exist in part for music and discussions of serious music that the other stations would never ever play.
NPR now interviews Hip Hop stars, Beyonce and if it's an opera , the opera is about something in recent news. It's like they can't cover classical unless passed through a "Is it about oppression or struggle?" test. I guess they figure we all watch UA-cam clips and don't need radio experts. The late Karl Hass had a great show for amateurs like us. The Opera Box, Texaco Met broadcasts. I weep when I listen to NPR now. It's like a bulletin board in a minor city's town hall.
These are excellent.!
Hi Bret! I just bought a alto c melody sax and had it restored, I was wondering if you know where to find the fingering chart for alto C melody sax and how to play them? Or where you learned to play it. Could you show me where or even have a video on how to play Alto C Melodies?
A C melody sax should have the same fingerings as any standard saxophone
It sounds as if you are completely new to saxophone. If that's the case, it is not a wise idea to start on C Tenor (aka C Melody) as there is simply no literature for it. That said, all saxophones follow the same fingering scheme and will read music in the same way. Best bet is to find a local teacher.
Where should we place Das Lied von der Erde? Is it more of a cantata than a symphony?
Hi, Could you please answer these for me: 1) How are the symphonies numbered e.g Beethoven's symphony no. 3? What is the meaning of a symphony in scale C# etc. i.e. what is the scale here?
The numbering is simply the order in which the symphonies were written.
The "scale" you mention shouldn't be interpreted as a scale but as the tonality of the piece. So Beethoven's Symphony 3 in E-flat is the third symphony he wrote and it starts and ends in the key of E-flat.
@@BretNewtonComposer Thanks for answering... So, does a symphony have to start and end at the same note? And what is meant by key of E-flat? Is this a chord or a single note? Also is there a rule on how many octaves to cover? When you talk about tonality... is it that E (from any octave) is used the most, compared to (CDEFGAB)? Sorry I am illiterate when It comes to music technicalities... Can one find out what is the scale/tone/note of any symphony (even by recording and analyzing or just by listening to it)?
Another way I’ve heard it explained is abstract vs programmatic music.
So if you finish 9 symphonies and you may be in your late 60's....man, you are going to be looking over your shoulder.....I would be worried.