Orchestral MIDI programming

Let's get to the real meat and potatoes of this chapter: tips on composing for orchestral compositions. In the new few sections, we'll mostly focus on MIDI programming for string instruments. By learning how to compose for strings, you'll learn about lots of transferrable tools and techniques that can be applied to composing orchestral compositions regardless, of whether you're composing for string, woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments.

Becoming good at composing for strings will give you transferable skills to compose for many orchestral instruments. So, although I will talk specifically about strings, you'll find that these lessons carry over to other orchestral instruments too.

Composing for string instruments

When we talk about string orchestral instruments, we're referring to the contrabass, cello, viola, and first and second violins. Composers devote a lot of attention to the string section of an orchestra...