Modern Orchestration Masterclasses / Viola: acoustic articulations and how to reproduce them with music software hero

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Modern Orchestration Masterclasses / Viola: acoustic articulations and how to reproduce them with music software

Level

Beginner

Duration

2h 45m of video content

Format

Recorded workshop

Added

21/04/2022

Watch a preview

1. Anatomy of the Viola

Course overview

£15 off SWAM Viola 3 for people who purchase this workshop!  Aimed at electronic musicians wanting to begin working with orchestral instruments and musicians, this workshop will begin a tour of the standard orchestral instruments by teaching the standard articulations for the viola, along with some of the best practices for writing for this instrument, and how to programme viola VSTs for realism. We'll be demonstrating playing styles with a professional viola player before moving to working with VSTS, and will be using Spitfire's industry standard sample library, BBCSO (both the free version and Professional), as well as SWAM's incredible modelled instrument, Viola 3.
Viola player: 
Charlie Stock is a London-based freelance viola player. Adept at multiple styles from classical to pop, she has performed and recorded with artists such as FKA Twigs, Lana Del Rey, Jarvis Cocker, Rihanna, Bat for Lashes, Giorgio Moroder, The Irrepressibles, The Clientele, Dana Gavanski, Graffiti Classics Comedy String Quartet, Swindle, Kojey Radical, Theo Adams company, St Pauls Sinfonia, The Heritage Orchestra and The London Symphonic Rock Orchestra.
She is also a member of experimental post-punk trio Bas Jan and currently touring with their new album ‘Baby u Know’.

Learning outcomes

Understand the range and standard articulations for the viola

Begin to write playable and idiomatic music for the viola, whether for an IRL musician or a VST

Create realistic viola lines, for solo and section, using VSTS (including Spitfire's BBCSO and SWAM's Viola 3) with an understanding of range, articulations, dynamics, expression and modulation

Communicate as a composer with a viola player (by understanding what can reasonably be asked of the instrument and what experimental techniques might be possible)

Who is this course for?

  • Musicians who want to begin work with orchestral instruments

Requirements

  • A computer and internet connection

Course content

Masterclass Material

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Chapter 1: Modern Orchestration Masterclasses: An introduction to writing for the viola - Articulations

16 videos

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  • 1. Anatomy of the Viola
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  • 2. Range of the Viola
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  • 3. Legato
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  • 4. Vibrato
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  • 5. Staccato (tenuto_spiccato)
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  • 6. Marcato_accent
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  • 7. Pizzicato (regular and Bartok_snap)
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  • 8. Tremolos_Trills
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  • 9. Col Legno
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  • 10. Double Stops (and triple_quadruple)
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  • 11. Harmonics
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  • 12. Glissando_Portamento
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  • 13. Sul Pont, Sul Tasto, Flautando
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  • 14. Mutes
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  • 15. Extended Techniques
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  • 16. Qualities of Different Strings
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Chapter 2 / Modern Orchestration Masterclasses: An introduction to writing for the viola - Articulations

38 videos

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  • 1. Using Reverb
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  • 2. Mixing
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  • 3. Volume dynamic balancing
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  • 4. VCAs
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  • 5. EQ & Distortion tips
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  • 6. Working with Sample libraries
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  • 7. Spitfire BBSCO Discover Legato
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  • 8. CC Controllers
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  • 9. Solo Viola Samples
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  • 10. Staccatos and 'shorts'
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  • 11. Glissando portamento
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  • 12. SWAM Instruments
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  • 13. Size of instrument CP
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  • 14. Walkthrough programming controllers (cc)
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  • 15. Expression
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  • 16. Velocity
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  • 17. Avoiding high expression values
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  • 18. Bow position bow pressure
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  • 19. Flautando
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  • 20. Double stops
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  • 21. Open strings finger positions
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  • 22. Bow on bow off
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  • 23. Drawing automation
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  • 24. Play modes timbre pitch advanced menus
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  • 25. Vibrato Rate
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  • 26. Up bow down bow
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  • 27. Sordino mute
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  • 28. String resonance and open strings
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  • 29. Pizzicato col legno cont.
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  • 30. Making ensembles groups of SWAM violas
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  • 31. Pitch
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  • 32. Reverb
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  • 33. Menus expressivity
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  • 34. Tremolo
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  • 35. String resonance open strings
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  • 36. Pizzicato col legno
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  • 37. Making groups ensembles of SWAM violas
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  • 38. Pitch ensembles
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Instructors

Helen Noir

Helen Noir

Instructor

Helen Noir (she/her) is a London-based soprano, composer, orchestrator & producer. She writes soundtracks for film, fashion and theatre, most recently for Joseph Wilson's Isn't it a Beautiful World, which premiered at BFI London Film Festival in October 2021. She works specifically with directors and designers to take music from initial composition through recording, orchestration, production and mixing. She also performs regularly with cult performance art group Theo Adams Company, and is an operatic session vocalist.

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