A short fanfare - BBCSO core

haralddaviking

Here's a short fanfare I wrote for brass and percussion using BBCSO core. I'm a beginner at composing for orchestral instruments, so any constructive feedback is appreciated. Any tips on how to best control dynamics (CC1) for brass? Would a breath controller help to improve the realism of the brass?

https://soundcloud.com/user-683599372/a-short-fanfare?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Hope you enjoy the piece, and if you're in the USA have a good 4th of July holiday!

hdv

Taron

Such a proud and happy piece! Great job, Harald!

Brass are my greatest worries in my own compositions. That's why I salute your accomplishment right away.

However, the very first run has these overlapping notes that immediately suggest midi rather than real life. It catches itself quickly again, but along the way it felt to me like a good portion of the trumpet and trombone players may lose consciousness. Like they might need a bit more time to breathe. It only takes a few lines that go uninterrupted for longer than one would expect and it starts feeling less real.

None of it changes the sweet pride and the festive joy that leaps out of it all the way through!

Loads of fun! So I wish you a happy 4th, too. And thanks for sharing this! 👍️

haralddaviking

Thanks for your feedback Taron -- it's very much appreciated! Also, sorry for the late reply (been busy).

I mouse clicked that first run in -- will play them in future. I also built a breath controller (my day job is engineering), so I hope that will help make the brass and winds sound a little more realistic. I'm using my diy breath controller to record a composition I wrote for Ryan Leach's July '22 youtube competition. I'll post my latest mix shortly.

Best Regards,

hdv

Londoneye330

Hello and excellent work!

I certainly loved the piece. Using a breath controller certainly helps! There are a few ways to make it more realistic.

1. For long notes, the dynamic can bump up a little at the attack of the note, then fade downwards. (it sounds drastic but it's not) It simulates the realism more because we are most likely to change our air speed blowing into the instrument (even if its just slightly) when we change pitches.
2. Another tip for long notes, and especially for chords, they can go in a up and down fashion, with beats 1 and 2 going up, and 3, 4 going down. You can adjust the length of the up and down to your taste, but makes the music much more expressive
3. For fast passages, sometimes method 1 could work, but other times it just sounds unnecessary. The trick here might be to simply regulate the breaths by stopping the note a little earlier. You can adjust it using midi piano roll, or sometimes another trick would be to lower the dynamic just really quick and then bring it back up again. How much you lower depends on the instrument. This tip can work on longer notes too.

Hope these tips help!