PRELIMINARY NOTE: The pdf SCORES featuring the available reductions and piano versions as well as the corresponding audio channels (in OrchPlay's Stage View) will be found in the TEACHER version only. But this FAQ also provides general info on all orchestral scores provided by OrchPlay.
I) OrchPlayMusic (OPM) pdf scores are designed as "STUDY SCORES". What we mean by that is that the format and layout of those scores is such that the teacher can print them and use them in the classroom or for assignments.
I.1 The actual size and spacing of the staves makes it possible to directly write into the printed scores with a pencil or pen.
I.2 Depending on the size of the orchestra, the format can be: Letter (8.5x11 in), Legal (8.5x14 in), Tabloid (11x17 in) or Double Tabloid (two 11x17 sheets on top of each other totalling 11x34 in).
NOTE: Published orchestral scores are more compact, in order to minimize page turns and provide a better overall view for the conductor. OrchPlayMusic scores are meant to be used for orchestration work and provide space to try out many different orchestration possibilities.
II) OPM scores are always organized in the following fashion and PROVIDE:
II.1 (from the top of the page): All staves for the instruments involved in a particular piece in the classical family ordering. No staff is left out when an instrument is not playing.
II.2 (bottom of the page) A series of Grand Staves to be used for
- FULL REDUCTIONs: All notes actually played by the orchestra; an "unplayable analytical score" from a pianistic point of view.
- SELECTIVE REDUCTIONs: Per family, for ex.: WWinds, Brasses, Strings; all notes played by a specific instrumental family.
- PIANO VERSIONs: Playable versions by a pianist, involving a selective approach and idiomatic adaption.
II.3 The REDUCTION staves names always include in parentheses the audio channel they are recorded on in the OrchPlay Player's Stage View when available.
NOTE-1: Not all scores feature reductions and piano versions, and some of them for certain sections only (see point IV).
NOTE-2: Even if reductions or piano versions are not available, the empty staves are provided for classwork or assignments.
NOTE-3: The pdf SCORES featuring the available reductions and piano versions as well as the corresponding audio channels (in OrchPlay's Stage View) will be found in the TEACHER version only.
III) SCORES in C: OPM provides all scores in C ("sounding"). While working with transposed scores is integral part of the orchestrator's "métier", experience in the classroom has demonstrated that students come up with more sensible results (and faster) when they work "in C". OPM will be pleased to also provide transposed scores in the future if there is a need.
IV) DIFFERENT VERSIONS of the score (TEACHER version):
IV.1- ORCH
IV.2- ORCH+REDUC
IV.3- ORCH+piano
IV.4- ORCH+REDUC+piano
IV.5- other instrumental formations (such as BRASS_REDUC, STR+REDUC, etc.)
V) EXCERPTS or FULL MOVEMENTS
The "OrchPlay Music Library" MENU on the website lists very precisely what is available for each piece. Columns "PIECE" and SCORE INFO" provide the exact details:
For ex.:
COMPOSERPIECESCORE INFOMozartSymph35K385 iii(1-8)ORCH+REDUC+piano(1-8= mes. excerpt)(full orchestra+reduction+piano version for the whole excerpt)
The TEACHER will find the following scores in the "Embedded Documents" middle section of the Drawer:
1- Mozart_Symph35K385_iii(1-8)_ORCH.pdf
(Orchestral score with empty staves for reduction and piano version)
2- Mozart_Symph35K385_iii(1-8)_ORCH+REDUC+piano.pdf
(Orchestral score with reduction and piano version)
3- Mozart_Symph35K385_iii(1-8)_piano.pdf
(piano version with empty staves for the rest)
4- Mozart_Symph35K385_iii(1-8)_REDUC+piano.pdf
(reduction + piano version with empty staves for the orchestra)
COMPOSERPIECESCORE INFODebussyLa Mer i(141 mes)ORCH+REDUC(122-141)("mes"= whole movement)(full orchestra+reduction provided for mes. 122-141 only)
The TEACHER will find the following scores in the "Embedded Documents" middle section of the Drawer:
1- Debussy_La Mer_i(141 mes)_ORCH.pdf
(Orchestral score with empty staves for reduction and piano version)
2- Debussy_La Mer_i(141 mes)_ORCH+REDUC(122-141).pdf
(Orchestral score with reduction for mes. 122-141)
3- Debussy_La Mer_i(141 mes)_REDUC(122-141).pdf
(reduction for mes. 122-141 with complete empty orchestral score)
