Essential Dictionary of Orchestration (The Essential Dictionary Series) (Paperback)

by Dave Black (Author), Tom Gerou (Author)
Key Phrases: lower octave, higher octave, alto saxophone, String Technique, Snare Drum Bass Drum (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
At last, an orchestration book tailor-made for the classroom musician on a budget. Any teacher, student or professional musician, whether a composer, orchestrator, arranger, performer or enthusiast will find this thoroughly comprehensive dictionary full of the most needed information on over 150 instruments. Designed for quick and easy reference, the Essential Dictionary of Orchestration includes those much-needed instrument ranges, general characteristics, tone quality descriptions, technical pitfalls, useful scoring tips and much more!

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Alfred Publishing Company (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0739000217
• ISBN-13: 978-0739000212
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #228,480 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy to find the information you need, November 6, 1999

By	landbamirum "Jeremy" (Astoria, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This book is a great quick reference for anyone who composes music. Includes info on just about every instrument you can think of. Each listing has all the essential facts about the instrument, including written range, sounding range, and special characteristics. Well worth the six bucks.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Orchestration OR Instrumentaion??, January 25, 2003

By	Mr. James A. Church (Berkshire, England, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Essential Dictionary of Orchestration (Spiral-bound)

A good little dictionary giving you comprehensive information about Weston, often orchestral instruments. Information includes instrumental devices, ranges and what within music that instrument is best suited. However, the writers do warn it is in pocket-dictionary style which means it should be used as a quick reference. They suggest studying a larger book for detailed analysis about each instrumental grouping. This book is about the instruments, not necessarily about how best to orchestrate particular difficulties, for example, or about collective writing... The essential dictionary of Orchestration is a pocket dictionary giving you practical, easy-to-understand advice for the beginner or the un-familiar. The illustrations clearly show how certain types of effect should be ideally written with useful illustrations depicting meaning. This is a very useful book, with a great deal of instruments (from violin to the harp, percussion to the bass flute...). It also explains the basics of MIDI. Perhaps a little over-priced - you still can't really go wrong!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent quick-reference, May 23, 2005

By	Matthew Smedal (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Essential Dictionary of Orchestration (Spiral-bound)

A sharp little book that is capable of quickly and concisely answering the most common questions about western instruments. The book is laid out in a simple and easy-to-navigate manner giving you quick access to ranges, timbres and dynamic contour of the most commonly used instruments. While it's not exhaustive as the authoritative Adler text, it's easier and quicker to browse through, and provides an excellent desk-reference. The book does not cover principles of orchestration, but it doesn't pretend to and even suggests seeking out other texts for information on this subject. Highly recommended.