Can I have two different instruments play the same melody at the same octave?











up vote
6
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I am writing an orchestral track and so far I have written the melody of strings (violins and such) and I want to add trumpets and here are 3 things I consider.
1) Have the trumpets play the same melody as the violins at the exact same octave, is there any reason I should consider this?
2) Have the trumpets play a counter
melody to the violins,
3) Have the trumpets play the same melody of the violins an octave apart.
Does 1 sound good at all?
Which of the above generally will give the best result?










share|improve this question






















  • Is there a reason you can only pick one? Does time permit variations on a theme?
    – corsiKa
    2 hours ago















up vote
6
down vote

favorite












I am writing an orchestral track and so far I have written the melody of strings (violins and such) and I want to add trumpets and here are 3 things I consider.
1) Have the trumpets play the same melody as the violins at the exact same octave, is there any reason I should consider this?
2) Have the trumpets play a counter
melody to the violins,
3) Have the trumpets play the same melody of the violins an octave apart.
Does 1 sound good at all?
Which of the above generally will give the best result?










share|improve this question






















  • Is there a reason you can only pick one? Does time permit variations on a theme?
    – corsiKa
    2 hours ago













up vote
6
down vote

favorite









up vote
6
down vote

favorite











I am writing an orchestral track and so far I have written the melody of strings (violins and such) and I want to add trumpets and here are 3 things I consider.
1) Have the trumpets play the same melody as the violins at the exact same octave, is there any reason I should consider this?
2) Have the trumpets play a counter
melody to the violins,
3) Have the trumpets play the same melody of the violins an octave apart.
Does 1 sound good at all?
Which of the above generally will give the best result?










share|improve this question













I am writing an orchestral track and so far I have written the melody of strings (violins and such) and I want to add trumpets and here are 3 things I consider.
1) Have the trumpets play the same melody as the violins at the exact same octave, is there any reason I should consider this?
2) Have the trumpets play a counter
melody to the violins,
3) Have the trumpets play the same melody of the violins an octave apart.
Does 1 sound good at all?
Which of the above generally will give the best result?







composition harmony orchestra






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked 10 hours ago









paradox

914




914












  • Is there a reason you can only pick one? Does time permit variations on a theme?
    – corsiKa
    2 hours ago


















  • Is there a reason you can only pick one? Does time permit variations on a theme?
    – corsiKa
    2 hours ago
















Is there a reason you can only pick one? Does time permit variations on a theme?
– corsiKa
2 hours ago




Is there a reason you can only pick one? Does time permit variations on a theme?
– corsiKa
2 hours ago










4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
9
down vote













All three would be viable options.



Doubling the parts in unisons or octaves normally would be for bending a unique timbre. Obviously doubling by unison/octave does not create a harmonic change or counterpoint so the main point would be the timbre/tone color.




Can I have..?




If part of your concern is about the counterpoint rule against parallel octaves, that doesn't apply to instrumental doubling as an orchestration technique.






share|improve this answer





















  • I remember reading that Rimsky-Korsakov suggested that consistently adding a flute to double a string section creates a more solid timbre, or something along those lines. Definitely a valid option! Trumpets and violins sound a little rarer, but might as well try it out.
    – Luke Sawczak
    9 hours ago










  • And there are differences between real instruments and players versus a DAW. Real trumpeters eventually run out a breath and DAW strings will never miss a note! I imagine quite a few orchestrations created in a DAW that would be difficult to pull off with a real orchestra. So there is latitude to experiment more in a DAW.
    – Michael Curtis
    8 hours ago










  • In an average non-professional orchestra, having the violins play the main melody and a trumpet a counter-melody is asking for trouble (and for a professional orchestra, you still might want some sort of marking in the score so the trumpeter knows they are not playing the main melody).
    – Alexander Woo
    5 hours ago










  • @AlexanderWoo, I think it would be interesting and helpful to elaborate about why it could be trouble in an answer.
    – Michael Curtis
    5 hours ago


















up vote
5
down vote













There is nothing theoretically wrong with any of your ideas. Making these types of orchestrating decisions is what an arranger does. Each of these options will create a different effect on the listener. I would recommend creating three different versions, listening to them, and then decided which works best for the situation.



You could even use all three ideas by repeating the melody with a different orchestration each time.






share|improve this answer



















  • 1




    Just to build off this answer a bit, three different version could be incorporated into some repeats in the score.
    – Michael Curtis
    10 hours ago










  • @MichaelCurtis Good point. I've modified the answer to include your suggestion.
    – Peter
    10 hours ago


















up vote
0
down vote













Think of combinations of instruments playing in parallel unisons, fifths, and octaves as though they were kinds of composite instruments. Then an arranger writing for violin, flute, and cello wouldn't have just three instruments at his disposal, but also many more like the univiolinflute, the octaviolinflute, the suboctaviolinflute, the univiolincello, the octaviolincello, the doubloctabiolincello, the octaflutecello, the doubloctaflutecello, etc.



The reason for the rule against parallel octaves or unisons is that having groups of two or more instruments play parallel octaves or unisons will often make it sound as though one has switched to using a different set of instruments. This can be a good thing if done at places where such a switch would make musical sense, but bad if such switches seem to occur willy-nilly without rhyme or reason.



The goal of music theory is not to identify things that are "good" or "bad", but rather to allow composers to identify how things are likely to be perceived. If a composer wants part of a phrase to sound as though it's produced by a univiolinflute while other parts are played by a distinct violin and flute, great--use parallel intervals to achieve that effect. The music theory rules against parallel intervals doesn't say such things are "bad", but rather say that parallel intervals are likely to create such an effect whether the composer wants it or not, and composers should avoid them except when that effect is wanted.






share|improve this answer

















  • 1




    The reason for the rule against parallel octaves etc. is to achieve independence of voices for a polyphonic texture. Other than that there really isn't a problem with parallel writing.
    – Michael Curtis
    6 hours ago










  • @MichaelCurtis: One could use the term "texture" to describe the effect I attribute to "composite instruments"; places where voices move in parallel unisons, fifths, or octaves will have a different texture from places where they don't. The same principle I've alluded to will apply: changing textures when it makes musical sense is often good, but changing textures arbitrarily generally isn't.
    – supercat
    5 hours ago










  • I'm using 'texture' in the academic, musical sense: monophonic, homophonic, polyphonic, etc. - not in the generic sense like 'smooth' or 'rough' - only to clarify the point about a "rule"
    – Michael Curtis
    5 hours ago


















up vote
0
down vote













Take a listen to Bolero by Ravel.



You can think of it as a study on varying instrument combinations while maintaining the same the rhythm and melody. You can really start to hear the effect at minute 6:20.



See also: http://theidiomaticorchestra.net/parallel-dobling/






share|improve this answer








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    4 Answers
    4






    active

    oldest

    votes








    4 Answers
    4






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes








    up vote
    9
    down vote













    All three would be viable options.



    Doubling the parts in unisons or octaves normally would be for bending a unique timbre. Obviously doubling by unison/octave does not create a harmonic change or counterpoint so the main point would be the timbre/tone color.




    Can I have..?




    If part of your concern is about the counterpoint rule against parallel octaves, that doesn't apply to instrumental doubling as an orchestration technique.






    share|improve this answer





















    • I remember reading that Rimsky-Korsakov suggested that consistently adding a flute to double a string section creates a more solid timbre, or something along those lines. Definitely a valid option! Trumpets and violins sound a little rarer, but might as well try it out.
      – Luke Sawczak
      9 hours ago










    • And there are differences between real instruments and players versus a DAW. Real trumpeters eventually run out a breath and DAW strings will never miss a note! I imagine quite a few orchestrations created in a DAW that would be difficult to pull off with a real orchestra. So there is latitude to experiment more in a DAW.
      – Michael Curtis
      8 hours ago










    • In an average non-professional orchestra, having the violins play the main melody and a trumpet a counter-melody is asking for trouble (and for a professional orchestra, you still might want some sort of marking in the score so the trumpeter knows they are not playing the main melody).
      – Alexander Woo
      5 hours ago










    • @AlexanderWoo, I think it would be interesting and helpful to elaborate about why it could be trouble in an answer.
      – Michael Curtis
      5 hours ago















    up vote
    9
    down vote













    All three would be viable options.



    Doubling the parts in unisons or octaves normally would be for bending a unique timbre. Obviously doubling by unison/octave does not create a harmonic change or counterpoint so the main point would be the timbre/tone color.




    Can I have..?




    If part of your concern is about the counterpoint rule against parallel octaves, that doesn't apply to instrumental doubling as an orchestration technique.






    share|improve this answer





















    • I remember reading that Rimsky-Korsakov suggested that consistently adding a flute to double a string section creates a more solid timbre, or something along those lines. Definitely a valid option! Trumpets and violins sound a little rarer, but might as well try it out.
      – Luke Sawczak
      9 hours ago










    • And there are differences between real instruments and players versus a DAW. Real trumpeters eventually run out a breath and DAW strings will never miss a note! I imagine quite a few orchestrations created in a DAW that would be difficult to pull off with a real orchestra. So there is latitude to experiment more in a DAW.
      – Michael Curtis
      8 hours ago










    • In an average non-professional orchestra, having the violins play the main melody and a trumpet a counter-melody is asking for trouble (and for a professional orchestra, you still might want some sort of marking in the score so the trumpeter knows they are not playing the main melody).
      – Alexander Woo
      5 hours ago










    • @AlexanderWoo, I think it would be interesting and helpful to elaborate about why it could be trouble in an answer.
      – Michael Curtis
      5 hours ago













    up vote
    9
    down vote










    up vote
    9
    down vote









    All three would be viable options.



    Doubling the parts in unisons or octaves normally would be for bending a unique timbre. Obviously doubling by unison/octave does not create a harmonic change or counterpoint so the main point would be the timbre/tone color.




    Can I have..?




    If part of your concern is about the counterpoint rule against parallel octaves, that doesn't apply to instrumental doubling as an orchestration technique.






    share|improve this answer












    All three would be viable options.



    Doubling the parts in unisons or octaves normally would be for bending a unique timbre. Obviously doubling by unison/octave does not create a harmonic change or counterpoint so the main point would be the timbre/tone color.




    Can I have..?




    If part of your concern is about the counterpoint rule against parallel octaves, that doesn't apply to instrumental doubling as an orchestration technique.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered 10 hours ago









    Michael Curtis

    4,216323




    4,216323












    • I remember reading that Rimsky-Korsakov suggested that consistently adding a flute to double a string section creates a more solid timbre, or something along those lines. Definitely a valid option! Trumpets and violins sound a little rarer, but might as well try it out.
      – Luke Sawczak
      9 hours ago










    • And there are differences between real instruments and players versus a DAW. Real trumpeters eventually run out a breath and DAW strings will never miss a note! I imagine quite a few orchestrations created in a DAW that would be difficult to pull off with a real orchestra. So there is latitude to experiment more in a DAW.
      – Michael Curtis
      8 hours ago










    • In an average non-professional orchestra, having the violins play the main melody and a trumpet a counter-melody is asking for trouble (and for a professional orchestra, you still might want some sort of marking in the score so the trumpeter knows they are not playing the main melody).
      – Alexander Woo
      5 hours ago










    • @AlexanderWoo, I think it would be interesting and helpful to elaborate about why it could be trouble in an answer.
      – Michael Curtis
      5 hours ago


















    • I remember reading that Rimsky-Korsakov suggested that consistently adding a flute to double a string section creates a more solid timbre, or something along those lines. Definitely a valid option! Trumpets and violins sound a little rarer, but might as well try it out.
      – Luke Sawczak
      9 hours ago










    • And there are differences between real instruments and players versus a DAW. Real trumpeters eventually run out a breath and DAW strings will never miss a note! I imagine quite a few orchestrations created in a DAW that would be difficult to pull off with a real orchestra. So there is latitude to experiment more in a DAW.
      – Michael Curtis
      8 hours ago










    • In an average non-professional orchestra, having the violins play the main melody and a trumpet a counter-melody is asking for trouble (and for a professional orchestra, you still might want some sort of marking in the score so the trumpeter knows they are not playing the main melody).
      – Alexander Woo
      5 hours ago










    • @AlexanderWoo, I think it would be interesting and helpful to elaborate about why it could be trouble in an answer.
      – Michael Curtis
      5 hours ago
















    I remember reading that Rimsky-Korsakov suggested that consistently adding a flute to double a string section creates a more solid timbre, or something along those lines. Definitely a valid option! Trumpets and violins sound a little rarer, but might as well try it out.
    – Luke Sawczak
    9 hours ago




    I remember reading that Rimsky-Korsakov suggested that consistently adding a flute to double a string section creates a more solid timbre, or something along those lines. Definitely a valid option! Trumpets and violins sound a little rarer, but might as well try it out.
    – Luke Sawczak
    9 hours ago












    And there are differences between real instruments and players versus a DAW. Real trumpeters eventually run out a breath and DAW strings will never miss a note! I imagine quite a few orchestrations created in a DAW that would be difficult to pull off with a real orchestra. So there is latitude to experiment more in a DAW.
    – Michael Curtis
    8 hours ago




    And there are differences between real instruments and players versus a DAW. Real trumpeters eventually run out a breath and DAW strings will never miss a note! I imagine quite a few orchestrations created in a DAW that would be difficult to pull off with a real orchestra. So there is latitude to experiment more in a DAW.
    – Michael Curtis
    8 hours ago












    In an average non-professional orchestra, having the violins play the main melody and a trumpet a counter-melody is asking for trouble (and for a professional orchestra, you still might want some sort of marking in the score so the trumpeter knows they are not playing the main melody).
    – Alexander Woo
    5 hours ago




    In an average non-professional orchestra, having the violins play the main melody and a trumpet a counter-melody is asking for trouble (and for a professional orchestra, you still might want some sort of marking in the score so the trumpeter knows they are not playing the main melody).
    – Alexander Woo
    5 hours ago












    @AlexanderWoo, I think it would be interesting and helpful to elaborate about why it could be trouble in an answer.
    – Michael Curtis
    5 hours ago




    @AlexanderWoo, I think it would be interesting and helpful to elaborate about why it could be trouble in an answer.
    – Michael Curtis
    5 hours ago










    up vote
    5
    down vote













    There is nothing theoretically wrong with any of your ideas. Making these types of orchestrating decisions is what an arranger does. Each of these options will create a different effect on the listener. I would recommend creating three different versions, listening to them, and then decided which works best for the situation.



    You could even use all three ideas by repeating the melody with a different orchestration each time.






    share|improve this answer



















    • 1




      Just to build off this answer a bit, three different version could be incorporated into some repeats in the score.
      – Michael Curtis
      10 hours ago










    • @MichaelCurtis Good point. I've modified the answer to include your suggestion.
      – Peter
      10 hours ago















    up vote
    5
    down vote













    There is nothing theoretically wrong with any of your ideas. Making these types of orchestrating decisions is what an arranger does. Each of these options will create a different effect on the listener. I would recommend creating three different versions, listening to them, and then decided which works best for the situation.



    You could even use all three ideas by repeating the melody with a different orchestration each time.






    share|improve this answer



















    • 1




      Just to build off this answer a bit, three different version could be incorporated into some repeats in the score.
      – Michael Curtis
      10 hours ago










    • @MichaelCurtis Good point. I've modified the answer to include your suggestion.
      – Peter
      10 hours ago













    up vote
    5
    down vote










    up vote
    5
    down vote









    There is nothing theoretically wrong with any of your ideas. Making these types of orchestrating decisions is what an arranger does. Each of these options will create a different effect on the listener. I would recommend creating three different versions, listening to them, and then decided which works best for the situation.



    You could even use all three ideas by repeating the melody with a different orchestration each time.






    share|improve this answer














    There is nothing theoretically wrong with any of your ideas. Making these types of orchestrating decisions is what an arranger does. Each of these options will create a different effect on the listener. I would recommend creating three different versions, listening to them, and then decided which works best for the situation.



    You could even use all three ideas by repeating the melody with a different orchestration each time.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited 10 hours ago

























    answered 10 hours ago









    Peter

    5307




    5307








    • 1




      Just to build off this answer a bit, three different version could be incorporated into some repeats in the score.
      – Michael Curtis
      10 hours ago










    • @MichaelCurtis Good point. I've modified the answer to include your suggestion.
      – Peter
      10 hours ago














    • 1




      Just to build off this answer a bit, three different version could be incorporated into some repeats in the score.
      – Michael Curtis
      10 hours ago










    • @MichaelCurtis Good point. I've modified the answer to include your suggestion.
      – Peter
      10 hours ago








    1




    1




    Just to build off this answer a bit, three different version could be incorporated into some repeats in the score.
    – Michael Curtis
    10 hours ago




    Just to build off this answer a bit, three different version could be incorporated into some repeats in the score.
    – Michael Curtis
    10 hours ago












    @MichaelCurtis Good point. I've modified the answer to include your suggestion.
    – Peter
    10 hours ago




    @MichaelCurtis Good point. I've modified the answer to include your suggestion.
    – Peter
    10 hours ago










    up vote
    0
    down vote













    Think of combinations of instruments playing in parallel unisons, fifths, and octaves as though they were kinds of composite instruments. Then an arranger writing for violin, flute, and cello wouldn't have just three instruments at his disposal, but also many more like the univiolinflute, the octaviolinflute, the suboctaviolinflute, the univiolincello, the octaviolincello, the doubloctabiolincello, the octaflutecello, the doubloctaflutecello, etc.



    The reason for the rule against parallel octaves or unisons is that having groups of two or more instruments play parallel octaves or unisons will often make it sound as though one has switched to using a different set of instruments. This can be a good thing if done at places where such a switch would make musical sense, but bad if such switches seem to occur willy-nilly without rhyme or reason.



    The goal of music theory is not to identify things that are "good" or "bad", but rather to allow composers to identify how things are likely to be perceived. If a composer wants part of a phrase to sound as though it's produced by a univiolinflute while other parts are played by a distinct violin and flute, great--use parallel intervals to achieve that effect. The music theory rules against parallel intervals doesn't say such things are "bad", but rather say that parallel intervals are likely to create such an effect whether the composer wants it or not, and composers should avoid them except when that effect is wanted.






    share|improve this answer

















    • 1




      The reason for the rule against parallel octaves etc. is to achieve independence of voices for a polyphonic texture. Other than that there really isn't a problem with parallel writing.
      – Michael Curtis
      6 hours ago










    • @MichaelCurtis: One could use the term "texture" to describe the effect I attribute to "composite instruments"; places where voices move in parallel unisons, fifths, or octaves will have a different texture from places where they don't. The same principle I've alluded to will apply: changing textures when it makes musical sense is often good, but changing textures arbitrarily generally isn't.
      – supercat
      5 hours ago










    • I'm using 'texture' in the academic, musical sense: monophonic, homophonic, polyphonic, etc. - not in the generic sense like 'smooth' or 'rough' - only to clarify the point about a "rule"
      – Michael Curtis
      5 hours ago















    up vote
    0
    down vote













    Think of combinations of instruments playing in parallel unisons, fifths, and octaves as though they were kinds of composite instruments. Then an arranger writing for violin, flute, and cello wouldn't have just three instruments at his disposal, but also many more like the univiolinflute, the octaviolinflute, the suboctaviolinflute, the univiolincello, the octaviolincello, the doubloctabiolincello, the octaflutecello, the doubloctaflutecello, etc.



    The reason for the rule against parallel octaves or unisons is that having groups of two or more instruments play parallel octaves or unisons will often make it sound as though one has switched to using a different set of instruments. This can be a good thing if done at places where such a switch would make musical sense, but bad if such switches seem to occur willy-nilly without rhyme or reason.



    The goal of music theory is not to identify things that are "good" or "bad", but rather to allow composers to identify how things are likely to be perceived. If a composer wants part of a phrase to sound as though it's produced by a univiolinflute while other parts are played by a distinct violin and flute, great--use parallel intervals to achieve that effect. The music theory rules against parallel intervals doesn't say such things are "bad", but rather say that parallel intervals are likely to create such an effect whether the composer wants it or not, and composers should avoid them except when that effect is wanted.






    share|improve this answer

















    • 1




      The reason for the rule against parallel octaves etc. is to achieve independence of voices for a polyphonic texture. Other than that there really isn't a problem with parallel writing.
      – Michael Curtis
      6 hours ago










    • @MichaelCurtis: One could use the term "texture" to describe the effect I attribute to "composite instruments"; places where voices move in parallel unisons, fifths, or octaves will have a different texture from places where they don't. The same principle I've alluded to will apply: changing textures when it makes musical sense is often good, but changing textures arbitrarily generally isn't.
      – supercat
      5 hours ago










    • I'm using 'texture' in the academic, musical sense: monophonic, homophonic, polyphonic, etc. - not in the generic sense like 'smooth' or 'rough' - only to clarify the point about a "rule"
      – Michael Curtis
      5 hours ago













    up vote
    0
    down vote










    up vote
    0
    down vote









    Think of combinations of instruments playing in parallel unisons, fifths, and octaves as though they were kinds of composite instruments. Then an arranger writing for violin, flute, and cello wouldn't have just three instruments at his disposal, but also many more like the univiolinflute, the octaviolinflute, the suboctaviolinflute, the univiolincello, the octaviolincello, the doubloctabiolincello, the octaflutecello, the doubloctaflutecello, etc.



    The reason for the rule against parallel octaves or unisons is that having groups of two or more instruments play parallel octaves or unisons will often make it sound as though one has switched to using a different set of instruments. This can be a good thing if done at places where such a switch would make musical sense, but bad if such switches seem to occur willy-nilly without rhyme or reason.



    The goal of music theory is not to identify things that are "good" or "bad", but rather to allow composers to identify how things are likely to be perceived. If a composer wants part of a phrase to sound as though it's produced by a univiolinflute while other parts are played by a distinct violin and flute, great--use parallel intervals to achieve that effect. The music theory rules against parallel intervals doesn't say such things are "bad", but rather say that parallel intervals are likely to create such an effect whether the composer wants it or not, and composers should avoid them except when that effect is wanted.






    share|improve this answer












    Think of combinations of instruments playing in parallel unisons, fifths, and octaves as though they were kinds of composite instruments. Then an arranger writing for violin, flute, and cello wouldn't have just three instruments at his disposal, but also many more like the univiolinflute, the octaviolinflute, the suboctaviolinflute, the univiolincello, the octaviolincello, the doubloctabiolincello, the octaflutecello, the doubloctaflutecello, etc.



    The reason for the rule against parallel octaves or unisons is that having groups of two or more instruments play parallel octaves or unisons will often make it sound as though one has switched to using a different set of instruments. This can be a good thing if done at places where such a switch would make musical sense, but bad if such switches seem to occur willy-nilly without rhyme or reason.



    The goal of music theory is not to identify things that are "good" or "bad", but rather to allow composers to identify how things are likely to be perceived. If a composer wants part of a phrase to sound as though it's produced by a univiolinflute while other parts are played by a distinct violin and flute, great--use parallel intervals to achieve that effect. The music theory rules against parallel intervals doesn't say such things are "bad", but rather say that parallel intervals are likely to create such an effect whether the composer wants it or not, and composers should avoid them except when that effect is wanted.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered 7 hours ago









    supercat

    2,264914




    2,264914








    • 1




      The reason for the rule against parallel octaves etc. is to achieve independence of voices for a polyphonic texture. Other than that there really isn't a problem with parallel writing.
      – Michael Curtis
      6 hours ago










    • @MichaelCurtis: One could use the term "texture" to describe the effect I attribute to "composite instruments"; places where voices move in parallel unisons, fifths, or octaves will have a different texture from places where they don't. The same principle I've alluded to will apply: changing textures when it makes musical sense is often good, but changing textures arbitrarily generally isn't.
      – supercat
      5 hours ago










    • I'm using 'texture' in the academic, musical sense: monophonic, homophonic, polyphonic, etc. - not in the generic sense like 'smooth' or 'rough' - only to clarify the point about a "rule"
      – Michael Curtis
      5 hours ago














    • 1




      The reason for the rule against parallel octaves etc. is to achieve independence of voices for a polyphonic texture. Other than that there really isn't a problem with parallel writing.
      – Michael Curtis
      6 hours ago










    • @MichaelCurtis: One could use the term "texture" to describe the effect I attribute to "composite instruments"; places where voices move in parallel unisons, fifths, or octaves will have a different texture from places where they don't. The same principle I've alluded to will apply: changing textures when it makes musical sense is often good, but changing textures arbitrarily generally isn't.
      – supercat
      5 hours ago










    • I'm using 'texture' in the academic, musical sense: monophonic, homophonic, polyphonic, etc. - not in the generic sense like 'smooth' or 'rough' - only to clarify the point about a "rule"
      – Michael Curtis
      5 hours ago








    1




    1




    The reason for the rule against parallel octaves etc. is to achieve independence of voices for a polyphonic texture. Other than that there really isn't a problem with parallel writing.
    – Michael Curtis
    6 hours ago




    The reason for the rule against parallel octaves etc. is to achieve independence of voices for a polyphonic texture. Other than that there really isn't a problem with parallel writing.
    – Michael Curtis
    6 hours ago












    @MichaelCurtis: One could use the term "texture" to describe the effect I attribute to "composite instruments"; places where voices move in parallel unisons, fifths, or octaves will have a different texture from places where they don't. The same principle I've alluded to will apply: changing textures when it makes musical sense is often good, but changing textures arbitrarily generally isn't.
    – supercat
    5 hours ago




    @MichaelCurtis: One could use the term "texture" to describe the effect I attribute to "composite instruments"; places where voices move in parallel unisons, fifths, or octaves will have a different texture from places where they don't. The same principle I've alluded to will apply: changing textures when it makes musical sense is often good, but changing textures arbitrarily generally isn't.
    – supercat
    5 hours ago












    I'm using 'texture' in the academic, musical sense: monophonic, homophonic, polyphonic, etc. - not in the generic sense like 'smooth' or 'rough' - only to clarify the point about a "rule"
    – Michael Curtis
    5 hours ago




    I'm using 'texture' in the academic, musical sense: monophonic, homophonic, polyphonic, etc. - not in the generic sense like 'smooth' or 'rough' - only to clarify the point about a "rule"
    – Michael Curtis
    5 hours ago










    up vote
    0
    down vote













    Take a listen to Bolero by Ravel.



    You can think of it as a study on varying instrument combinations while maintaining the same the rhythm and melody. You can really start to hear the effect at minute 6:20.



    See also: http://theidiomaticorchestra.net/parallel-dobling/






    share|improve this answer








    New contributor




    Mitch Roe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.






















      up vote
      0
      down vote













      Take a listen to Bolero by Ravel.



      You can think of it as a study on varying instrument combinations while maintaining the same the rhythm and melody. You can really start to hear the effect at minute 6:20.



      See also: http://theidiomaticorchestra.net/parallel-dobling/






      share|improve this answer








      New contributor




      Mitch Roe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.




















        up vote
        0
        down vote










        up vote
        0
        down vote









        Take a listen to Bolero by Ravel.



        You can think of it as a study on varying instrument combinations while maintaining the same the rhythm and melody. You can really start to hear the effect at minute 6:20.



        See also: http://theidiomaticorchestra.net/parallel-dobling/






        share|improve this answer








        New contributor




        Mitch Roe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        Take a listen to Bolero by Ravel.



        You can think of it as a study on varying instrument combinations while maintaining the same the rhythm and melody. You can really start to hear the effect at minute 6:20.



        See also: http://theidiomaticorchestra.net/parallel-dobling/







        share|improve this answer








        New contributor




        Mitch Roe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer






        New contributor




        Mitch Roe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        answered 2 hours ago









        Mitch Roe

        1




        1




        New contributor




        Mitch Roe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.





        New contributor





        Mitch Roe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.






        Mitch Roe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.






























             

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