Any Tips, tricks, suggestions when Composing Orchestra?

Question by Ryan: Any Tips, tricks, suggestions when Composing Orchestra?
Hi!

I am new at composing for orchestra and looking for any tips take can help take my music to new heights.

Everyone is welcome to comment, I just would love to hear things like “using these two instruments or method can create this effect” etcetera,

My composition is ok, my main trouble is coming up with the really good melodies.. I end up with a melody that is decent and by using decent composition I turn ok melodies into interesting ones.. (I should reword.. my melodies all sound like something you would hear in a movie or not unique enough)

Really any tips would be great.. anything that can make the listener go WOW!

I am familiar with some theory so feel free to explain, I am eager to learn more

THANK YOU!
should note, I don’t really have an orchestra.. I use high quality computer simulation.. no where near the real deal..
but I can accomplish nearly the same results

Best answer:

Answer by Paul
Get an orchestration book and study it. Then read it again. The most common mistake I’ve seen from student composers is writing parts that the instrument can’t play. Make sure you learn the proper ranges of instruments. Don’t write woodwind parts that jump across the break too much. You’ll also have to learn alto clef for the viola (the middle line is middle C). If you have musician friends, ask them what their instrument can or can’t do.

Regarding unusual instrument combinations, there are some ideas that might sound interesting in your head, but then fall flat when put into practice. There’s a reason you don’t see certain odd doublings in music, they often don’t work.

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