Keep the balance and spacing charts printed out next to your digital audio workstation (DAW) or notation software for rapid reference. Legacy in the Digital Age
Moving seamlessly from intimate solo passages to thunderous tutti (full orchestra) moments.
Bowing techniques, special effects, and scoring for the string orchestra.
Use MIDI instruments and a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) to hear how your orchestration balances in real life. If you want to fast-track your learning, let me know: Your current experience level with reading sheet music The notation software or tools you plan to use The Technique Of Orchestration Kent Kennan Pdf
Since its first publication in 1952, Kent Kennan’s (later co-authored with Donald Grantham) has served as the pedagogical bedrock for generations of composers. While other texts like Rimsky-Korsakov’s Principles of Orchestration focus on the artistic "poetry" of sound, Kennan’s approach is fundamentally methodical and pragmatic, treating orchestration as a craft rooted in structure and human logic.
Week 1 — Instrument basics: Learn ranges, transpositions, and characteristic timbres for woodwinds and brass. Score short 8-bar solos for each instrument to test idiomatic writing.
Whether you are carrying a physical copy in your bag or a PDF on your tablet, this manual is the most vital tool in a composer’s arsenal. Keep the balance and spacing charts printed out
Kent Kennan was a composer himself, and his writing style reflects a composer's pragmatism. He avoids overly academic jargon in favor of direct, descriptive language. He is famous for his "Rules of Thumb"—practical advice such as:
Do you need practical advice on how to translate Kennan's principles into a modern ?
: A significant portion of the text is dedicated to transcribing piano idioms for the orchestra, a critical skill for developing composers. Evolution and Modern Features Use MIDI instruments and a Digital Audio Workstation
The book features hundreds of score excerpts from classical masters like Ravel, Debussy, and Stravinsky.
by Kent Kennan and Donald Grantham is widely considered the definitive resource for students and professional composers seeking to master the art of scoring for an orchestra. First published in 1952, the text has undergone multiple revisions, with the latest Seventh Edition (2024) incorporating modern orchestral practices and a more diverse range of musical examples. Core Philosophy and Pedagogical Approach