STRINGS SECTION AS THE MAIN SECTION!
3 Basics Of Strings Instrument That You Need To Understand!
Hey guys! Let me introduce myself, I'm a composer of TrueSilent Music (TSM). I've been composing epic trailer music or you would prefer to call film score music for 3 years now. I've learned a lot of things, tips and tricks to make my work better! When I first start, I was complete beginner to this stuff. I've made a lot, tons of mistakes. But, I manage to find some help from professional composers. They really help me a lot with composing. They thought me their secrets, tips and tricks and more to become a good composer. Some of their secrets are really outstanding and hardly to be thought. And now, its time for me to teach you, what they've thought me and what I've understood for completely free!
Now the questions...
DO YOU WANT TO BE A BETTER MUSIC COMPOSER?
I don't want to spend to much of your time typing unrelated stuff. I will make things simple and fast to read.
BEFORE THAT...
Please note that every post of tips and tricks that I've made and will make are truly helpful to me. Even if it simple, its still something new to be discovered. I've broken down the topics to be discussed and for the start, let's just start with this simple strings basic. I bet some of the info here is new to you.
1) A Little Introduction: What Is Strings Section?
Strings section are divided into families, which are violins, violas, cellos, double bass, harp and some of the composers also consider "guitars" as one of the strings family too. Strings section are the biggest section (in numbers) compare to the other section, maybe choir might defeat them but, it depends. Their position in the orchestra is the closest to the conductor. But, they also divided into groups to make the sounds more powerful with balancing. (Refer The Picture Below)
2) Melody is On The Left and Basses On The Right
In the mixing process, panning the instruments is very important to accomplish a realistic sound. I will discuss more this in the mixing process post later. But, for now, I want you to understand the position of the string instruments in the orchestra. Which one should be in the left and which one should be in the right. As you can see, 1'st violins and second violins which mostly play the melody in the orchestra are positioned in the left side. And for the basses on the right side.
Why? Well, in my understanding, we use our right side brain as creativity/art purposes and logic on the left side of the brain. But, when we use our right side of the brain we mostly focus on the opposite side of the ear (left ear)(Science stuff).
3) Violins, Cello, Viola and Double Bass Roles
Now, for the most important part is their role. Yes, as I mention on the second point just now, violins are mostly playing the melody because of their higher frequency/pitch sound, compare to the other string sections. Another thing, our ear mostly focuses on high pitch sound. Which means we need to use high frequencies sound to create the melody and also use it to break through all the other instruments making the melody more clear and out. Violins are the mid-high and high-frequency range in strings family. "VIOLINS DON'T PLAY IN LOW FREQUENCY".
Double basses play as the bass sound. Sometimes you barely can hear it because their sound is too thick and low frequency. But, still, they are needed to fill up the low frequencies. (I will discuss more it on the later posts). And they suppose to play low pitch/octave on the piano. DO NOT USE THEM TO PLAY AS HIGH FREQUENCY!
Celos, are the mid and low range frequency instruments. I personally love cello to play the melody, because of using the range of the instrument and the harmonic sound they have. They're perfect instruments for layering or doubling. But, keep in mind "CELLOS AREN'T SUPPOSE TO PLAY AS BASS BUT AS HARMONY".
Lastly, Viola which covers the mid and mid high frequency. Many composers that I've met, they don't prefer to use this instrument because of their frequency stuff which sometimes hard to mix together with the orchestra. I usually used this section to double the high mid frequency of the melody, but most of the time I don't use them too.
Tips: Use higher frequency instruments to do the melody...
BEFORE WE END, I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU, I WILL SEND YOU MORE TIPS AND TRICKS FOR YOU TO BE A BETTER COMPOSERS AND ALSO SOME OF MY PERSONAL SECRET THAT REALLY CHANGE MY COMPOSITION. TOP OFFER OF RECOMMENDED COURSES AND WHEN WE REACH OUR GOAL, I WILL SHARE WITH YOU "HOW EXACTLY I COMPOSE MY MUSIC". ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS JUST ENTER THE DETAILS AT THE SIDEBAR, AND I WILL DO THE REST. DON'T WORRY SPAMMING ARE ONLY FOR AMATURE....
