Essential Dictionary of Orchestration

Rating:
Summary: Orchestration OR Instrumentaion??
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: Indispensible
Review: I figured, gee it's just a few bucks, what the heck.

Well, this is one book which doesn't look to spend much time on the shelf. It's not exhaustive (it tends to be focused on the basic european instruments so includes e.g., violins, brass and guitars, but omits the cuatro, ney, sitar, etc.) but seems to be error-free. It won't necessarily obviate occasional discussions of capabilities of the instrument with a player, but is quite handy nevertheless. This is exactly the book that I wish I had twenty years ago.

Rating:
Summary: Easy to find the information you need
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Easy to find the information you need
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent quick reference.
Review: While not as comprehensive as the larger texts (I would recommend Alfred Blatter's 'Instrumentation & Orchestration' and Samuel Adler's 'The Study of Orchestration'), this is a great quick reference book, with information on instrumental range, timbral characteristics, dynamic contour and other useful facts. This book is ideal for composers/arrangers on the move and at the excellent price is a must for music students.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent quick reference.
Review: While not as comprehensive as the larger texts (I would recommend Alfred Blatter's 'Instrumentation & Orchestration' and Samuel Adler's 'The Study of Orchestration'), this is a great quick reference book, with information on instrumental range, timbral characteristics, dynamic contour and other useful facts. This book is ideal for composers/arrangers on the move and at the excellent price is a must for music students.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent quick reference.
Review: While not as comprehensive as the larger texts (I would recommend Alfred Blatter's 'Instrumentation & Orchestration' and Samuel Adler's 'The Study of Orchestration'), this is a great quick reference book, with information on instrumental range, timbral characteristics, dynamic contour and other useful facts. This book is ideal for composers/arrangers on the move and at the excellent price is a must for music students.