Music Composition DUMmIES

The tenor trombone’s range is E2 to F5 (Figure 14-16).

Viola .....................................................................................................

The viola was a favorite instrument of Johann Sebastian Bach, who appreci-

ated the fact that its range extended lower than the violin’s but higher than

the cello’s. All three instruments look almost exactly the same, with the main

difference being, of course, size. The viola is placed on the shoulder and played

with a bow, as is the violin. It is sometimes referred to as the big fiddle.

Prior to the 18th century, the viola was the most prominent member of the

stringed instrument family. But it was supplanted by the violin when audi-

ences began showing a preference to the brighter sound of the higher-pitched

instrument.

The top string of the viola can sound a little squawky and nasally, so most

composers try to stick to writing only for the lower registers when compos-

ing music for violas.

The range of the viola is C3 to A6 (Figure 14-17).

Violin ....................................................................................................

This is an instrument that needs no introduction. Due to its incredibly sweet

tones and capabilities for speed and expressiveness, this stringed instrument

is almost always a lead instrument in the orchestra. Violins sound wonderful

whether being used for solos or performing en masse.

B

œ

C string

viola

concert range

œ œ œ

œ

G string

œ œ œ

œ œ

D string

œ œ œ

œ œ œ œ

A string

œ

&

œ œ œ œ

X
Figure 14-17:
Range for
the viola.

?

w

Not reliable

w

tenor slide trombone

wb wn

Pedal notes

wb

Reliable

wn wb

w

Normal range

& wb

Upper

notes

w# w

Very
Figure 14-16: difficult
Range for
the tenor
slide
trombone.

Chapter 14: Composing for the Standard Orchestra 179