Technique of Orchestration, The [Hardcover]

Kent Kennan (Author), Donald Grantham (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0134663276 | ISBN-13: 978-0134663272 | Publication Date: November 13, 1996 | Edition: 5 Sub

Instruments of the orchestra are clearly described and supported by numerous musical examples and photos. "Suggested Assignments" and "Suggested Listening" lists follow each chapter helping students master and further explore subject matter. Includes updated chapter on writing score and parts with inclusion of material on computer notation and has 2 new appendices--" Synthesizers and Sampler" and "Vocal and Choral Ranges".

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

As the leading text in the field since 1952, this text unites, as its three most important features, accuracy, utility and clarity demonstrated through both effective examples and commentary. As in the earlier editions, the emphasis is on the practical fundamentals of orchestration. The Fifth Edition has been expanded and revised to reflect new developments in instruments and orchestral practice.

From the Back Cover

As the leading book in the field since 1952, this book unites, as its three most important features, accuracy, utility and clarity demonstrated through both effective examples and commentary. As in the earlier editions, the emphasis is on the practical fundamentals of orchestration. The Fifth Edition has been expanded and revised to reflect new developments in instruments and orchestral practice.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 411 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall College Div; 5 Sub edition (November 13, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0134663276
• ISBN-13: 978-0134663272
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #717,450 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent beginner's textbook and overall reference, August 19, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Technique of Orchestration and CD Recording Package, The (6th Edition) (Hardcover)

(6th Ed.) Although I've played classical piano for a long time, I'm a beginner in this aspect of music. This book provides a fantastic, detailed survey of the entire symphony orchestra for those who don't know an English horn from an oboe; however, it seems like it's one of those handy books you will refer back to for a very long time:

- basic introduction to various configurations of orchestras
- all the instruments individually described & photographed
- idiosyncracies, limits, abilities of each instrument
- the realistic note ranges of each instrument
- scoring for sections (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion)
- excerpts from real scores demonstrate techniques
- some important aspects of color/blend/orch.texture
- arranging for school orchestras, smaller groups
- contains small suggested assignments and listening refs.

Personally, I am using it as a reference for working with a sampler-based orchestra, to give me better insight towards creating more realistic arrangements and mockups.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful text for study and reference with a very useful CD, March 13, 2006

By 

Craig Matteson (Saline, MI) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Technique of Orchestration and CD Recording Package, The (6th Edition) (Hardcover)

We used the second edition of this book when I was an undergraduate studying music theory. I loved that book and have always had it on my shelf as a reference for correct transpositions, ranges, and all the little things one needs to know to write correctly for an instrument. When I read through this edition I was simply blown away. You know how you can get attached to an older edition and not want to give it up because the improvements don't overcome the familiarity? Well, the sixth edition clearly obsoletes my trusty old friend.

The book still has the same general format in considering each family of instruments together and has all the good information of the previous editions. However, there is more information, better photographs, improved explanations, well chosen examples, great suggested readings, listenings, and assignments. And the included CD has over 90 short examples of the sounds any orchestrator needs to have in his or her mind when putting pen to paper (or pointing a mouse to the staff on a computer). The first few dozen are different versions of the same two measures of the Bach chorale designated in the book so the student can compare a variety of ways to set that four part chorale for various families of instruments (strings, woodwinds, brass, and in various combinations). Then several dozen orchestral chords of various combinations are provided. Every example is designated in the book and explicitly identified on the CD.

The appendices are also quite useful and contain ready references on ranges and specialized considerations. I especially appreciate the addition of vocal ranges since it is quite common to use voices with orchestras.

This is a terrific text for students, for teachers because the information is so well presented, and for reference after school. Heck, if all you do is read orchestral scores while listening to music, this book can be most helpful in helping you understand the instruments you are hearing and their transpositions.

Most wonderfully done.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best orchestration text available, August 5, 2005

By 

Kuru (Seattle) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Technique of Orchestration (6th Edition) (Hardcover)

Few books are useful in learning to write music. This is one of the rare few. I first got acquainted with the book a quarter century ago, and have been using it ever since. The book assumes basic competence in music performance and theory. The necessary information about the various instruments is provided simply and accessibly -- e.g., where the timbre breaks occur on the clarinet, how to figure out if a particular triple-stop can be fingered on the viola, etc. There is also useful guidance in writing for sections and other combinations of instruments, although nothing can replace a good set of ears and numerous years of orchestral or band playing time for learning that particular skill. Kennan helpfully distinguishes what is practical and idiomatic (what an ordinarily competent player can be expected to be able to do) from what is possible (what the best players might be able to pull off on a good day). Thus, this book should be useful for everything from making high school band arrangements to writing for professional orchestras.