Brass doubling

[sepheritoh]

This topic seems to be very important when it comes to writing music for theater. Producers want small bands which cost as little as possible. Composers want large orchestras that gives us color and options. It has become practice on broadway, and all theaters around the world, since the turn of the revious century to compromise here by doubling, i.e. players are required to play more than one instrument. It is common to expect the flute player to switch to the picollo or the oboe player to switch to the english horn or the saxophone.

I am writing a musical that requires 23 players. I am trying to recuce this to 9 players to fit a small theater. The easy choice is to cut down the 11 string players to one keyboard player, tapping out the time on Notion with N tempo in performance mode. That leaves me with 13 players. Still have to cut 4 out. Here is where doubling comes in? The winds are easy. I can cut the 4 winds down to 2 by getting them to double. The brass players are next. I've already cut them down to 4. Brass 1 and 2 each switching between trumpet, flugel and trombone. then I have 2 french horns. Horn players seems to be on their own and according to most sources, do not want to double anything. My choice is simple. Either I expect them to double on tuba and trombone to earn their place, or I will have to cut them out and move the horn parts to Notion 3, who will happily double strings and horns, and do all simultaniously.

This sounds harsh. I would prefer to keep my 4 brass live players, but I have to face realities. I also prefer to keep my 11 string players for that matter, but if I want my musical performed, I have to do what is required.

What is the opinion of our fellow Notion composers? Are you happy cutting the horns and let Notion do the work?

BTW, if I keep the horns, I still have to cut 2 players. That will come to getting the piano players double with the Notion player. This will change my score a few places as I sometimes do need a piano with strings playing at the same time. Next I'll get the guitarist to double on electric and acoustic. This will change the sound significantly.

Choices, choices. What to do?

[Craig Wilson]

Maybe the French horns wouldn't mind playing keyboards. I understand the embouchure required to play some instruments is a limitation, whereas doubling on keyboard should not be a problem.

[sepheritoh]

Interesting option. Hope we can find horn players who can play keyboards. However, most of my orchestrations that needs horns to play have strings in the orchestration as well. The Notion player can thus not be doubled. That leaves me to doubling the piano. Very viable option. Thanks.

[tubatimberinger]

Of all the brass instruments, French Horn players are the least likely to double on another instrument. At least that's my experience.