Customer Reviews

Sounds and Scores : A Practical Guide to Professional Orchestration

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
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I bought this book before learning any of the technical aspects of arranging, and it left me wanting more. After I found the books that cover the techniques of arranging, I went back to this book and found it way more beneficial.

You get to 1.) read Mr. Mancini's commentary about a particular score example, then 2.) listen to a CD of the example while looking at the score. Not every example comes with an audio track, but the CD has well over 50 tracks, so you still get an abundance of examples to see AND hear. To be able to see the brass/sax/French horn voicings at the end of 'Peter Gunn Theme' and the string and horn parts in 'Mr. Lucky' is pretty amazing.

So, if you know basic techniques of writing for several instruments and sections, and you'd like to see and hear how a master of the craft puts it all to use, consider this book a worthwhile investment.

If only it had the vocal arrangement to 'Bachelor In Paradise', but that's just me being greedy.

I enjoyed this book and found it valuable. However, it is not the best book from which to learn comprehensive orchestral technique. Rather it is a source of "Mancini-isms." If the reader wants to get into the mind of one of the best TV and film composers this is a great book. It is simple and easy to understand. It is also a bit dogmatic and as other reviewers have written "out of date." My purpose in reading the book was to better understand Mancini's jazz technique. For this purpose the book is perfect!

Okay all you other reviewers who've criticised or damned with faint praise, listen up.
Realise that this book is a classic, first published in 1962 or thereabouts (I bought my copy in 1982 and still have the flexidiscs -remember them?), This book was THE FIRST one to ever give you a way of HEARING what the scores sounded like (hence the title) rather than trying to imagine what the scores sounded like in your head. A few pro conductors can do that, the rest of us mortals play things at the piano and hope for the best.
So the idea that this book is 'dated' is quite absurd. At the time is was written the sounds and scores in there represented Hank Mancini's current and recent work, and for the principles that they show and represent, remain timeless. Sure there may be things missing in comparison with later arrangers and books, but this one still is the first in line. I also have Don Sebesky's classic Contemporary Arranger, and that could also be regarded as 'outmoded' musically by those who can't see the gold before them. I'm sure Sammy Nestico's book has been slagged off somewhere as well, and there's probably some ignoramus somewhere who doesn't like Rimsky-Korsakov's Principles of Orchestration because it doesn't cover jazz and rock......
The point is that classic material like this doesn't date. It gives you some of the ideas behind Mancini's composing and orchestration, but it's not going to spoon feed you into becoming a great arranger. You have to work that out for yourself and sound like you and not a Mancini clone.
I'll point out that at least two film composers I know of started their work in film (and went on to great success) precisely because they acquired and studied this book. When other musicians recommend this book, that's all you need to know. A timeless classic, and like the Sebesky and Nestico books, pure musical gold.

I was somewhat disappointed with this book. As a musician, and music teacher, I was hoping to glean some tips from this book. I found it to be dated (all the music examples are Mancini's which I acknowledge as great material, but musical styles have changed), and there really aren't too many pointers, suggestions, or mention of standard arranging practices. There are some, but this is not (in my opinion) a good book for a text book. The CD has musical selections with matching scores, but there is no text as to why certain things were done, or how certain instruments sound together or isolated versus hearing an instrument in a full score. I guess I bought this book more out of nostalgia and sentimentality!

I borrowed this book from a library but it came without CD. I read it and I liked it. Finally, I decided to buy it. It's worth my money. It shows how to get a certain sound with the instrumentation. One thing is I like Mancini's music so the book is good for me.

By comparison with books more recent, that is not very fascinating, safe for fan of Mancinni!!There is almost nothing on voicings. . Some information to be gleaned anyway (orchestral colors mixture of instrument, general and personnal procedures and expérience ) see rather Don Sebky or Sam Nestico books ! The CD returns the attractive journey. Not indispensable! you should rather keep your Money !
For a real book on the practical subject see rather Ken Pullig ' "Arranging for Large Jazz Ensemble" or "Inside the score" or, for historical analysis "Changes Over Time: The Evolution of Jazz Arranging" that are real material !

This is the best toolbox for arrangers and composers. Whatever level of experience your at, you will get great info from this magic book.

This is a must have in every arranger and orchestrators library. A gem that will soon be tough to find.