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Fanfare for Trumpets and Trombones

Discussion in 'Critique & Feedback' started by Tom Welsh, Aug 25, 2023.

  1. #1 Tom Welsh, Aug 25, 2023
    Last edited: Aug 25, 2023
    For your consideration :



    Wrote this at the piano to paper which is turning out to be my preferred method. Mocked-up in cubase with Aaron Venture brass.

    Thanks for listening.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. #2 Mike Verta, Aug 26, 2023
    ....and Tuba?
     
  3. #3 Tom Welsh, Aug 26, 2023
    I may have dialed in some 80hz on the bass trombone which makes it sound extra girthy, not unlike a tuba at times.

    The line-up is 3 x Bb trumpets, 2 x tenor trombones and bass trombone.
     
  4. #4 Mike Verta, Aug 26, 2023
    It's important for you to realize that trombones will never sound like that. They're much thinner than you expect and if you've got an aesthetic goal, tone wise, in mind you'll need to put a tuba down there. There isn't much reason not to have one here actually.
     
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  5. #5 Tom Welsh, Aug 26, 2023
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2023
    Yea that makes sense.

    I think the problem is that I used my newly constructed orchestral template as a starting point which I had spent some time balancing and checking with references (full orchestrations) but when it came to doing this mockup I was struck by how thin it sounded with just brass so my instinct was to reach for EQ and reverb settings rather than realise the sound I wanted probably included Tuba and possibly Horns. That said, when I was listening to your orchestration presests masterclass where you do arrangements straight to template, your brass sounds thicker and more upfront than mine did before playing around with the production so I'm sure there is a happy middle ground to be had. I also enjoyed being restricted to only 6 voices to provide all the harmony and ideas I wanted and would recommend this limitation to anyone.

    Anyway, thanks for the feedback as always, Mike!

    P.S I know i have mentioned this before but I would find a 'writing to paper' masterclass incredibly useful as you yourself have described it is a "power tool" and I'm starting to come around to that idea. It's incredibly liberating being able to not just compose but record ideas and arrangements away from virtual instruments which can be very distracting and lead you down a certain path (often due to their limitations). I know it may seem easier to simply record your own piano playing via midi or whatever but I find it massively helpful to see everything written down before approaching the template e.g barlines, exact rhythms, voices / voice-leading and orchestration in general. Now when I boot up my template with everything already written down makes the process of mocking up so much less intimidating and strenuous.
     
  6. #6 Mike Verta, Aug 27, 2023
    Working with virtual instruments is inversely as fun as one is experienced with real instruments. Tons of things can't be replicated virtually, and a million more things one can do virtually don't actually work, live.

    And yes, piano and paper was enough to generate nearly every cherished piece of music, ever. It's a winning combination. A class on that might be fun...!
     
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  7. #7 Mike Verta, Aug 27, 2023
    Incidentally, if you were really looking to keep it to 6 players, I'd drop the bass trombone and do Tuba there instead. From a purely "brass ensemble" standpoint, that would be much more flexible.
     
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  8. #8 Tom Welsh, Aug 27, 2023
    I'll be tuning in live with a box of wine and ton of questions for that one.
     
  9. #9 Rohann van Rensburg, Nov 27, 2023
    Mike -- As annoying as VI libraries are in practice, what libraries do you currently use and which most accurately reflect "real" instruments in that case (i.e. trombones sounding "appropriately thin" without a tuba)? I've been spending quite a bit of weekly time at the conservatory with my kids in lessons, and I'm with you re: real experience diminishing the fun of VI's.
     
  10. #10 Mike Verta, Nov 28, 2023
    I'm using Infinite Brass/Woodwinds, Hollywood strings, and percussion is a mix of Spitfire and Hollywood. I use these because they're the most playable, and the closest sound to what's in my head, but not actually that close.
     
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  11. #11 Rohann van Rensburg, Nov 28, 2023
    Thanks, good to know. Is your Template Balancing class still relatively close to what you use, or has it been simplified via Infinite Brass/Winds?
     
    Samuel Diaz likes this.
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