Tonal Qualities of the Brass

WhiteRhino · 4th October 2011

Hey all,
Currently writing a rather lengthy research paper on film composition and I'm trying to discuss the tonal qualities of the brass section of an orchestra in relation to the rest of the orchestra in a film composition. In other words, what feelings or emotions do they emit in a film score, what are they often used for?
I feel as if a lot of action movies incorporate them for their bright, dynamic qualities, and romantic movies might use them for their traditional sounds, but what I'm really interested in is a quote from some composer or producer explaining their importance (refrain from any comical quotes I'm sure you'd all like to make right now

) Anything would be helpful, but like I said, what I'm really looking for is some kind of quote that might sum this up from an accredited composer.

Thanks!

JazzSax_UT · 6th October 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteRhino

Hey all,
Currently writing a rather lengthy research paper on film composition and I'm trying to discuss the tonal qualities of the brass section of an orchestra in relation to the rest of the orchestra in a film composition. In other words, what feelings or emotions do they emit in a film score, what are they often used for?
I feel as if a lot of action movies incorporate them for their bright, dynamic qualities, and romantic movies might use them for their traditional sounds, but what I'm really interested in is a quote from some composer or producer explaining their importance (refrain from any comical quotes I'm sure you'd all like to make right now

) Anything would be helpful, but like I said, what I'm really looking for is some kind of quote that might sum this up from an accredited composer.

Thanks!

Principles of orchestration: with ... - Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, Maximilian Steinberg - Google Books

Here is Rimsky-Korsakov's Principles of Orchestration. He discusses using the Brass instruments in orchestral writing... discussing the effects achieved with brass, as well has how to balance brass with woodwinds and strings in orchestration.

Bad Lt · 9th October 2011

Brass in scoring are often used to evoke heroism, warmth, nobility but also often a sense of gravity, darkness and power. What section of orchestra you play the melody or thematic material on can color the music greatly and brass used for themes tends to have a very different feeling than if the strings were doing it, for example. Given the dynamic range of brass instruments, it is common for brass to take the melody in the most intense sequences, though this is not a rule.

Trumpets are traditionally used where you need to be heroic, though (French) horns are often replacing trumpets in recent times for heroism for those directors who get uncomfortable with proper orchestration. Trombones, those very versatile of instruments, are useful in action sequences, since they have a quicker envelope than horns, though you will often get long notes played on bones. Tuba (or occasionally Cimbasso or Wagner tuba) hold down the bottom, each with different characteristics. John Williams has written some featured tuba melodies (Return of the Jedi, droids in Jabba's palace is a favorite).

4th October 2011	#1
WhiteRhino Gear Head Joined: Mar 2011 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 54 Thread Starter	Tonal Qualities of the Brass Hey all, Currently writing a rather lengthy research paper on film composition and I'm trying to discuss the tonal qualities of the brass section of an orchestra in relation to the rest of the orchestra in a film composition. In other words, what feelings or emotions do they emit in a film score, what are they often used for? I feel as if a lot of action movies incorporate them for their bright, dynamic qualities, and romantic movies might use them for their traditional sounds, but what I'm really interested in is a quote from some composer or producer explaining their importance (refrain from any comical quotes I'm sure you'd all like to make right now ) Anything would be helpful, but like I said, what I'm really looking for is some kind of quote that might sum this up from an accredited composer. Thanks!

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9th October 2011	#3
Bad Lt Gear interested Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 15	Brass in scoring are often used to evoke heroism, warmth, nobility but also often a sense of gravity, darkness and power. What section of orchestra you play the melody or thematic material on can color the music greatly and brass used for themes tends to have a very different feeling than if the strings were doing it, for example. Given the dynamic range of brass instruments, it is common for brass to take the melody in the most intense sequences, though this is not a rule. Trumpets are traditionally used where you need to be heroic, though (French) horns are often replacing trumpets in recent times for heroism for those directors who get uncomfortable with proper orchestration. Trombones, those very versatile of instruments, are useful in action sequences, since they have a quicker envelope than horns, though you will often get long notes played on bones. Tuba (or occasionally Cimbasso or Wagner tuba) hold down the bottom, each with different characteristics. John Williams has written some featured tuba melodies (Return of the Jedi, droids in Jabba's palace is a favorite).