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Priority number one: If you don't possess a hard drive then format a few disks! Not all sequences allow you to format disks from within them so do them now and then load up your sequencer. If you are fairly new to sequencing then it is advisable for your first attempt at programming a classical piece to choose something that is not too complicated, a simple string quartet or something similar. If you have a good music department at your local library you can always ask one of the librarians to advise you. They are usually very knowledgeable on classical music and will be only too willing to assist you. However, most people will choose something they have an audio recording of. If you don't have a recording of the piece you choose to sequence it would be advisable to get hold of a copy anyway. I am not suggesting you use the recording to copy precisely the interpretation unless that is your intent, but it is a good way to get a basic understanding and feel of the music you are going to sequence. This is one of the good things about sequencing classical music. It is as much your interpretation of the piece than the wishes of the composer so don't be scared to put that little individual touch to your sequences. So you have your score of the music and a recording of it. Its time to study the score. If you are not familiar in reading orchestral scores then skip to chapter 6 entitled: "READING THE SCORE" then return here. Put the recording on and follow it with the score. Listen carefully to all those tempo changes and dynamics of the piece and phrasing of the instruments. You will soon realise that there is a lot going on that isn't indicated on the score. This is the interpretation.You may care to follow this and attempt to emulate it or you may have your own ideas of how the music will be reproduced. Either way listen to it again and again making notes if you need to about certain parts that may cause difficulty. It might be a good idea to get hold of another recording of the piece under a different conductor and listen to the differences between them. Note that the music will probably be made up of several distinct sections maybe repeating themselves several times throughout the piece. This will be handy to know when we come to sequence it. Try and train your ear to only listen to a particular instrument. This is difficult to do even for professional musicians but it will enable you to hear their individual phrasing. Before we leave this section just one more thing: Listen to the recording again! |
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