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Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 10:17 pm
by BVD Press
No book that I know of for Brass Ensemble, but if you get a bunch of scores that is a great way to learn!
Any specific questions? Not that I am an autority, but I am willing to offer an opinion!
For a generic book, try the Adler Orchestration book!
Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 10:38 pm
by a2ba4u
Well, it kind of depends on what exactly you're wanting to learn to do. If you just want to be able to write out the top ten baroque hits for your next wedding gig, all you need to "know" is the approrpiate ranges and transpositions for each instrument and some characteristic limitations for the skill level at which you aim to write at. The rest is pretty much just logic. If you're looking to arrange more complex music (late romantic up through jazz and pop) or looking to refine and enhance your current skills, I would recommend a thorough study of as much theory (yes, THAT subject) as you can lay your hands on. Study everything from species counterpoint to serialism to poly/a-tonal jazz. You might be surprised at 1) how easy it is to transfer the knowledge you gain from studying material that isn't technically "Brass Quintet Arranging 101" and at 2) how much it improves your writing. Not that I am an authority here, but the theroretical approach to training yourself as a writer (with the understanding that you take it with a healthy dose of trial and error) seems to be a common theme amongst several prominent arrangers that I have had the good fortune to come in contact with.
As usual, my $0.02.
Kyle
Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 7:54 pm
by DonShirer
Frank Erickson's "Arranging for the Concert Band" has a chapter on the brass section, which includes several useful hints, though nothing specifically on brass quintets. I would recommend supplanting orchestration texts with a study of actual quintet scores. Of course if you are writing for a specific group, you should have a good idea of the abilities of each player.
Don Shirer
Westbrook, CT
Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 3:24 pm
by kontrabass
There's no substitute for actually DOING it! Just pick a favourite tune and bash out an arrangment of your own. Start small - do 'happy birthday' or a christmas carol or whatever. If you play in a brass quintet, ask them to read through it and give you feedback.
You'll quickly learn what works and what doesn't.