Writing for Strings

[Alan Lastufka]

Hey,

Is anyone here currently taking the Alexander University Writing for Strings (http://www.alexuniv.com/music/stringwriting/index.shtml) course?

I have never taken any formal music classes and am very eager to begin learning - after looking around at a few online options, as I don't have the time to attend classes - I decided to get my degree from Alexander U. http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif

I purchased the Applied Professional Harmony 101 & 102 books and received them a couple days ago - I'm currantly on page 135.

I don't want to write film music or pop/rock - but I wanted to eventually write a symphony. Mozart is my favorite composer of all time, so I am most likely to emulate his work at first, while finding my own voice.

I was just wondering if the Writing For Strings course should be my next step, or if anyone has any experience with it? The mentoring program sounds very very interesting - as does the opportunity to have the students' works performed live.

Thanks in advance for any info/insite.

[sbkp]

I'm about to order it. So I'm interested in what others have to say about this course, too.

And Alan, maybe we can work it through together somehow. I'm unlikely to start in earnest for a little while, but we should keep in touch...

- Stefan

[amb]

I'm very interested in what people who have taken this class have to say about it !!

[Alan Lastufka]

I'm about to order it. So I'm interested in what others have to say about this course, too.

And Alan, maybe we can work it through together somehow. I'm unlikely to start in earnest for a little while, but we should keep in touch...

- Stefan

Stephan,

Yeah man that sounds like a good idea. Maybe even a very small dedicated group to keep each other focused and motivated. I have a free server we could use as an FTP location for sharing our work, and maybe a small private forum for chatting.

Everyone could take it at their own pace, and we could even have little friendly competitions and the like. I dunno - just throwing out some suggestions.

[sbkp]

Sounds great. Just having the opportunity to bounce things off someone going through the same concepts would be incredibly valuable, I think. I also have server space if need be.

Competitions, eh? What do you win? The right to go on to the next chapter? ;)

Like I said, I'm hoping to order the course soon. And I might just dip my toes in at the beginning. But we have a baby coming in a couple of weeks, so I think it'll be at least a few weeks after that before I can really dive in.

Since it's self-directed, everyone will naturally go at their own pace, as you said. One thing to watch for, though, is that whoever happens to be ahead doesn't feel like they're being taken advantage of (or taken for granted). Like if A is ahead of B, then we don't want A feeling like, "Man, I always answer B's questions, but I'm not getting much out of this."

Of course, we can learn a lot by teaching, so A's suspicion in that case probably isn't true.

Just some thoughts...

- Stefan

[Alan Lastufka]

Completely agree - I actually already got a PM from another member that would be interested so... I guess I'll check into it seriously over the next couple of days and see what I can put together for us as far as a private discussion forum and the FTP log-in etc. Again everyone at their own pace.

Sounds like it could be a great motivator for all involved. Most successes had their "schools" (mindsets) of people working together.

[esperlad]

I learned string writing through a variety of sources: I studied orchestration for two semesters at the university, I read a couple of books on string writing, and I talked to a lot of string players about proper technique. (I was known at one time for writing double stops from Hell!) I also discussed orchestration (with lots of talk on strings) with composition instructors. I must also state that we covered MIDI orchestration too.

I would suggest buying full orchestral scores. That would one excellent way to learn good orchestration techniques in general. The John Williams material is very useful for study. Many 19th century composers would also be useful for study.

If such a program for helping others orchestate is established, I would be happy to help! Let me know how things are progressing.

[peter269]

As the text writer, here are a few thoughts.

First, I recommended APH 101 and 102 because this covers enough harmony to write the majority of pop tunes.

Second, each text is designed to be equal to a semester's worth of work, and so, should take an average of 3-4 months to complete. These titles are specifically written as a songwriter's approach to harmony and so have you building chord progressions in each mode. As these chord progressions are built, the idea is to orchestrate them with strings, brass and winds, so that you learn early, various orchestral combinations and how they sound.

Third, if you go to the home page, www.alexuniv.com (http://www.alexuniv.com/), you'll see a screen shot from the Thesaurus of Orchestral Devices I'm about to post. Because of my dad's death in August, I had to cross the country three times, and this put me a bit behind. However, this will up shortly and has been expanded to include Jupiter The Bringer of Jollity from The Planets by Holst. Combined, these two scores cover a large number of orchestral devices used by strings. There is simply nothing like it, from ANYONE!

Fourth, the lessons also include basic coverage of VSL, GPO, QLSO and SISS. Although we're handling Kirk's library, I felt it necessary to briefly touch on each of the libraries available and how to approach them when doing MIDI mock-ups.

Whether starting with APH or WFS, the whole idea is to gain writing experience by learning to blend recording and mixing with harmony, orchestration and arranging.

For those who'd like to join Alan and form a group, I'd be glad to moderate and "tutor" online those who participate.

[Bruce A. Richardson]

Hey everybody,

I was going to jump in and suggest augmenting the course with a tutor, and Peter beat me to it. You will go faster in any course work when you can also engage a mentor of some kind to help you focus your efforts.

[Alan Lastufka]

Peter,

I was just picking up the phone to call you and make you aware of the thread plus my intentions with the group - the fact that you are willing to help is great and welcomed very much so - I will keep you posted as I get this moving and set up.

Thanks everyone else for your thoughts. Esperlad and I worked together on two of my pieces what seems like years ago. Your help would also be welcomed.

[sbkp]

Sweet! Thanks, Peter!

Strangely (or appropriately), the first thing I did when I got EWQLSO (Silver at the time), was buy the score for The Planets. Then the first thing I ever did (after the obligatory French Horn blasts and timpani rolls) was do the first couple of pages of Jupiter.

So would it make sense to start with APH 101 and 102? Or should we jump into WFS? I'm kind of intrigued more by WFS, but I'll get the others and do them in the background, probably.

- Stefan

[mcdoma2000]

I purchased Writing for Strings a month and a half ago, but haven't had the blasted time to start. I am VERY interested in some sort of forum activity to go along with the course! Count me in!

Mark McDowell

[Alan Lastufka]

I'm checking on some options for us as a small group - I should know better tomorrow - everyone interested please PM me or email me (alan@alanjoseph.com) so I know how many we may expect initially.

Just think of all the great stuff we'll have to post here at NSS after we make it through the course. :)

[JonFairhurst]

I'm up for it.

I tend to agree with Peter that starting with the harmony courses might be best. It would help to get everyone on an equal footing, and allow us to establish common terms, conversions and methodologies. We could work out the issues of tools, formats, hosting while we're on the easy stuff. It will let everybody gain a habit of success. After we have things set and know who's along for the ride, we would then move into more challenging realms.

Either way, this sounds way more fun than studying solo!

-JF

[amb]

I am very interested . I will get ya my info later on - I need to be somewhere .

[jc5]

In regards to learning harmony first - if you master harmony, you will already be halfway there to writing effectively for strings.

[sbkp]

Okay, I'm in. I just bought WFS, the two APH books, and the Rimsky-Korsakov book from Peter. Let's roll! (But only for a couple of weeks, then I'm going to be terribly underslept for a while...;) Then I'll pick it up again:p)

[Alan Lastufka]

Okay, I'm in. I just bought WFS, the two APH books, and the Rimsky-Korsakov book from Peter. Let's roll! (But only for a couple of weeks, then I'm going to be terribly underslept for a while...;) Then I'll pick it up again:p)

LOL - yeah I'd assume this lead to a number of late night sales ;) - Peter - I'll take my cut via certified check :p.

[Seq]

Alan and all... I'd be interested in this too. Especially as I was looking into the items on Peter's site the other week. I think it would be wonderful to have a group of fellow students to share thoughts with as we study. And to have Peter on board with us would be fantastic.

So, please sign me up for your discussion group!!!

[peter269]

In regards to learning harmony first - if you master harmony, you will already be halfway there to writing effectively for strings.

exactly! Also, when you're building chord progressions first, you're concentrating on sounds and combinations, not picking about the individual articulations like you do in WFS.

To do this as a group, I'd like each person to get the Dover score by Faure called Pavanne and Pelleas et Melisande. I think it's available for $15US. Also, get a CD of it. Since Pavanne is PD, make 4-5 copies of it because you're going to mark it up a lot!

Next, if you're able, join Netflix and rent Mozart in Salzburg. Once you see spiccato and see what it means to have pitches played under the same bow, plus hear them, the word "legato" will take on new meaning.

Just let me know when you want to start.

[Alan Lastufka]

Just let me know when you want to start.
Peter,

I am building our discussion group as I type this, I hope to have it operational by Saturday at the latest. I will give you a call today so we can discuss how everything will proceed. Thanks again for your leading/participating! :)

[Seq]

Looks like there is going to be a lot of stuff to buy! Which is actually great because I've been hunting for this kind of information. ;-)

However...

I'm going to try and order all of the materials at once, but just in case I'm unable to do that. I'm assuming then that the Harmony books should come first. That's what we will begin working with?

Maybe as this gets pulled together, can we come up with a definitive list of things to get - including the scores, etc? And in what order?

BTW... Amazon.com has Mozart in Salzburg. Looks like it's normally $26~; and there are some other sellers there who have it for about $16. If you're near a Borders store they might have it too, though they are charging $29. You can check local store availability and even reserve for in-store pickup by going to their site (www.bordersstores.com).

[Alan Lastufka]

Seq -

I'll work with Peter to put together a curriculum with a list of materials needed (or at least suggested) as everyone will be doing this at their own pace with just some guidence.

I will email everyone who has requested to be contacted when I have everything together.