Midna's Lament Re-orchestrated 1st draft

tiganior1

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Location: Look behind you

Joined: Apr 09 2010

I feel that the melody can be bounced around to more instruments than the trumpet and strings, try fiddling around with other woodwind instruments.

Also, I think it'd be better to change that rapid cymbal in the beginning to a rising cymbal and timpani (You could also use some percussion more in the piece itself!). If you're okay with straying off from the main sound to add more accompaniment and harmonies in some parts (The main sounds I hear in the piece are the harp, and melody...which is mostly in two instruments) , I think it would sound pretty good.

There's a boatload of instruments in an orchestra, along with niche ones not listed for certain pieces. Typically:

Strings: Violas, violins, cellos, double bass, orchestral harp, piano.
Woodwinds: Oboe, flutes (possibly with a piccolo), (bass) clarinets, bassoons.
Brass: Horns, trumpets, trombones, tuba.
Percussion is whatever's called for (Typically timpanis and cymbals).

Through music I hear, it's common to feature an instrument, but also to balance the sound between all of the instruments. Strings, horns (And the brass section in general) and bassoon work well in slow and grand sections; flute and oboe (and maybe trumpet) for light and airy, for either slow or "a tempo". Of course these can be (and often are) switched around, but this is the main pattern I hear when I listen to classical and orchestral music.

Countermelodies are often found in the brass and strings, sometimes in woodwinds (particularly flute and oboe). Have a good listen to a classical piece, and notice that from the melody comes one with a similar rhythm, but is quieter; mainly serves as accompaniment, but it simply adds to the entire piece.

Even within these individual instruments, they have several chairs which serve different ranges in the piece, typically playing in a lower range the more it strays from 1, but this isn't that important in a MIDI piece. Just remember that you can have as many voices as you need in a piece. You have the option of being flexible (It IS an orchestra after all).

Accompaniment is as important as the melody, if not more. The melody will be the easiest part of the piece, but to fill in the gaps and divide it into several instruments is what makes orchestras what they are.

I'm sure you know all this, but try to put more elements like it in your music. I can't wait to hear how it sounds when you put the finishing touches. ;)
   
~~Relevant link~~
Have a listen, and try to identify each instrument, and how they're used.