Writing for instruments you don’t play

Following up from my previous post about composing for piano. Go check it out if you haven’t read it.

When writing for any instrument that you don’t play it can help to study music that’s commonly played on that instrument. Look at the popular pieces within the repertoire of that instrument. Look for arrangements and pieces for different levels of players.

It can also help to learn some basics about the instrument. How is it set up and what are the basic playing techniques.

Just learning the basics can help tremendously because you’re writing from an informed perspective, rather than just writing notes on a page.

Learn the basics.

ISJ