Instrumentation
Brief Guide
A forward stroke [/] indicates alternative instrumental options, i.e. fl/ob = part
can be played by flute OR oboe.
A plus symbol [+] indicates a doubled part, i.e. fl+picc = flute PLUS piccolo, played
by the same person.
Brackets [()] indicate an optional instrument, i.e. (pft) = optional piano.
Orchestration Code
We use traditional orchestration coding for wind ensembles, for example: 2(1+picc)2(1ca)22/4220
= [woodwind] 3 flutes (one doubling piccolo), 1 oboe, 1 cor anglais, 2 clarinets,
2 bassoons [brass] 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones
However, for brass ensembles horns and trumpets are switched, for example:
2121 = 2 trumpets, 1 horn, 2 trombones, 1 tuba
Abbreviations
- acc = accordion
- acl = alto clarinet
- afl = alto flute
- alt = alto voice
- amp = amplifier
- bar = baritone horn
- barob = baritone oboe
- bass = bass voice
- bc = basso continuo
- bca = bass cor anglais
- bcl = bass clarinet (Bb)
- bfl = bass flute
- bhn = basset horn (F)
- bstclt = basset clarinet
- bn = bassoon
- bob = bass oboe
- btpt = bass trumpet
- ca = cor anglais
- cacl = contra-alto clarinet (Eb)
- cb = double bass
- cbcl = contrabass clarinet (Bb)
- cbcl/Eb = contrabass clarinet in Eb
- cbn = contrabassoon
- CD = compact disc
- cel = celeste
- cemb = cembalo
- chal = chalumeau
- cl = clarinet in Bb/A
- cl/A = clarinet in A
- cl/C = clarinet in C
- cl/D = clarinet in D
- cl/Eb = clarinet in Eb
- cnt = cornet
- cont = continuo
- cymb = cymbal
- euph = euphonium
- fl = flute
- fl/Eb = flute in Eb
- fld’am = flute d’amore
- flug = flugelhorn
- gamba = viola da gamba
- guit = guitar
- guit/B = bass guitar
- heck = heckelphone
- hn = horn in F/Eb
- hn/Eb = horn in Eb
- hp = harp
- hpsd = harpsichord
- mezzo = mezzo soprano voice
- mba = marimba
- mus = musette
- narr = narrator
- obdac = oboe da caccia
- obd’am = oboe d’amore
- ob = oboe
- org = organ
- panfl = pan flute
- perc = percussion
- pft = piano
- picc = piccolo
- rec = recorder
- rec/A = treble recorder
- rec/B = bass recorder
- rec/S = descant recorder
- rec/SS = sopranino recorder
- rec/T = tenor recorder
- sax = saxophone
- sax/A = Eb alto saxophone
- sax/B = Eb baritone saxophone
- sax/BB = Bb bass saxophone
- sax/mel = C melody saxophone
- sax/S = Bb soprano saxophone
- sax/SS = Eb sopranino saxophone
- sax/T = Bb tenor saxophone
- sop = soprano voice
- sous = sousaphone
- stgs = strings
- subcbfl = subcontrabass flute
- tamb = tambourine
- tapr = cassette tape
- tba = tuba
- tba/W = Wagner tuba
- tbn = trombone
- tbn/A = alto trombone
- tbn/B = bass trombone
- ten = tenor voice
- timp = timpani
- tpt = trumpet
- tpt/C = trumpet in C
- tpt/D = trumpet in D
- tpt/Eb = trumpet in Eb
- tpt/picc = piccolo trumpet
- va = viola
- vad’am = viola d’amore
- vc = violoncello
- vib = vibraphone
- vn = violin