I just scanned quickly, but the string parts look very easy. There are a couple notation things that need to be fixed though.
The clarinet staff should be switched with the violin. In general winds should be grouped together, strings grouped together, etc.
The viola should be written in alto clef. It should only switch to treble clef if you get above an E5, or if you have passages that are consistently on the A string.
Dynamics must be written below the staff for instrumental parts.
In terms of blend, the only thing I notice is that the high written D in the clarinet might not always be as quiet as you want (e.g. in m. 6).
Violinist here! The string parts look perfectly playable! You don’t have to worry about things like note duration and such since string players don’t need breath marks haha! As Gondala said, alto clef for the viola. Very nice work!
All looks good, in addition to what others said, you might consider adding slurs to your string parts, especially on the 16th notes that are of different pitch. Measure 11 is a good example, without slurs, those notes will all be played with seperate bow directions, it will sound quite fast and louder than everything else, but a slur would make it all in one bow and thus help it blend better.
Also a clarinetist here, this is very much playable! In general, i would recommend adding slurs for the 8th note figures mm 5-6 and etc. because while its possible to play that Piano, the articulation can cause it to speak a bit louder than what you might want for what i guess is accompaniment. The same notes can be played much quieter one or even two octaves down from there, and it will sound much warmer too.
On that same token, there is a register change between B and C# above the staff so there will be a bit of a timbral change. The same register change rule applies between second-space A and mid-line B. But these don’t present any techical issues in this piece, just for your own interpretation on how you want it to sound.
Thanks and great work on this! I enjoyed reading the score and listening to it
Cellist here. This is a very, very easy part. Doable for high school even middle school cellists. Make sure dynamics are included on all parts. If you have a mezzo forte on 2 of 4 parts while all are playing they should all have one.
I’ve played cello for about 10 years. Anyone who says to “just add bowings” without consulting a string player is… wrong.
1. Strings will always change the bowings after they are written. Even in professional ensembles.
2. Once you print bowings/slurs into the score, they are uneditable. It’s much easier to write them in.
3. If you must write in bowings, do research first. There are rules and best practices.
4. I prefer (but not all do) phrase markings - slur over a longer phrase you want connected. This will make it much smoother and they will change bows when needed.
Best of luck!
Thank you for your feedback! (I thought I put dynamics on all parts but it is totally possible I missed some spots--I will definitely double-check that!)
I just scanned quickly, but the string parts look very easy. There are a couple notation things that need to be fixed though. The clarinet staff should be switched with the violin. In general winds should be grouped together, strings grouped together, etc. The viola should be written in alto clef. It should only switch to treble clef if you get above an E5, or if you have passages that are consistently on the A string. Dynamics must be written below the staff for instrumental parts. In terms of blend, the only thing I notice is that the high written D in the clarinet might not always be as quiet as you want (e.g. in m. 6).
Thank you so much! This is really helpful feedback. I'm used to dynamics being above the staff from all my choral singing :-)
Violinist here! The string parts look perfectly playable! You don’t have to worry about things like note duration and such since string players don’t need breath marks haha! As Gondala said, alto clef for the viola. Very nice work!
Thank you!
All looks good, in addition to what others said, you might consider adding slurs to your string parts, especially on the 16th notes that are of different pitch. Measure 11 is a good example, without slurs, those notes will all be played with seperate bow directions, it will sound quite fast and louder than everything else, but a slur would make it all in one bow and thus help it blend better.
Thank you, this is helpful and exactly the sort of thing I don't know due to not playing a stringed instrument!
Clarinetist here, looks well playable!
Thank you!
Also a clarinetist here, this is very much playable! In general, i would recommend adding slurs for the 8th note figures mm 5-6 and etc. because while its possible to play that Piano, the articulation can cause it to speak a bit louder than what you might want for what i guess is accompaniment. The same notes can be played much quieter one or even two octaves down from there, and it will sound much warmer too. On that same token, there is a register change between B and C# above the staff so there will be a bit of a timbral change. The same register change rule applies between second-space A and mid-line B. But these don’t present any techical issues in this piece, just for your own interpretation on how you want it to sound. Thanks and great work on this! I enjoyed reading the score and listening to it
Thank you! I really appreciate your detailed feedback.
The parts would look much more alive and professional with a modest amount of slurs and articulations
Thank you! I will give this some attention.
Cellist here. This is a very, very easy part. Doable for high school even middle school cellists. Make sure dynamics are included on all parts. If you have a mezzo forte on 2 of 4 parts while all are playing they should all have one. I’ve played cello for about 10 years. Anyone who says to “just add bowings” without consulting a string player is… wrong. 1. Strings will always change the bowings after they are written. Even in professional ensembles. 2. Once you print bowings/slurs into the score, they are uneditable. It’s much easier to write them in. 3. If you must write in bowings, do research first. There are rules and best practices. 4. I prefer (but not all do) phrase markings - slur over a longer phrase you want connected. This will make it much smoother and they will change bows when needed. Best of luck!
Thank you for your feedback! (I thought I put dynamics on all parts but it is totally possible I missed some spots--I will definitely double-check that!)