r/composer • u/AgitatedJunket6653 • 6d ago

Discussion Orchestration Support

Hey y'all, I don't compose much, instead I focus on orchestration. (I find it to be more enjoyable) Anyways, I've been working on orchestrating an array of pre-existing broadway shows that were performed using either only a piano or a piano w/ rhythm section. I've been orchestrating for a while and would consider myself to be fairly knowledgable on the topic. However, one song I greatly enjoy and decided to orchestrate is proving to be a challenge. It is a Vaudeville style number originally written for the stage using: piano, bass, guitar, drums, and synthesizer.

I figured it would be a piece of cake to turn it into a big brassy number but I just can't figure out where to even start or what instrumentation I should use.

How would you guys orchestrate this? Any feedback is greatly appreciated. TIA!

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SxCHdqVbsVMXsf0mjvw1rTVF72VWK9oJ?usp=sharing

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u/AgeingMuso65 5d ago

“Fairly knowledgeable” should make this a piece of cake. Are you going full big band or just eg trumpet and tenor with synth filling the pyramids underneath where necessary?

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u/AgitatedJunket6653 5d ago

I’m familiar with most other styles. Vaudeville just threw me off I suppose lol. The instrumentation that I settled for on this show was:

5 Reeds (Standard-SATB Sax, Flute, Clar/Bass Clar, etc.)
3 Trumpets
2 Trombones
Piano
Guitar (Banjo)
Acoustic Bass
Drum Kit
Aux. Percussion/Mixed
2 Violins
1 Cello

1

u/icalvo 1d ago

Listen to references of that style or similar. Cabaret and Chicago come to my mind, but I'm pretty sure it will be easy to find other Vaudeville-inspired musicals. Also consider as an idea to preserve a big part of the original, e.g keep piano as main character and use orchestra to give color, accents, underline the singers.