What about a brony orchestra?

[Gooddwarf 22]

Hello everypony!

 

A few weeks ago I was thinking: in the whole world there are surely many other classical musicians/bronies like me. Wouldn't it be cool if we were able to form an orchestra? We could play songs from the show or made by other bronies, there would be quite a lot of things we could play I think! And so here I am, exposing to you all this idea and looking for people willing to try this project! I've seen there is another thread which brought up this idea, but it seems to have died two years ago. So let's try again!

 

What do I exactly have in mind?

The idea is basically to gather a group of bronies who play classical instruments, decide together what piece of music we want to play, write down an orchestration of the selected piece (according to how many players/instruments we have) and then play it.

Of course there's one big problem with this: most likely all players can't meet in person to play together. So everyone will play his part/s and then we'll put everything together. This brings up more issues:

• How do we play together? If every part is recorded separately we have to ensure everyone plays at the same tempo. A metronome would be a solution, but I thoroughly hate metronomes. That completely cuts out the possibility to have ritardandos, accelerandos and tempo changes in our performances. So I thought there could be a "cue piano part". With this I mean that after the orchestration is made a piano "draft" of it will be recorded and sent to every player. Then everyone will use that as a guide to follow while playing their part. This also helps with the next issue:
• Tuning: having played often in an orchestra I know how important it is to be in tune, expecially for wind players who play the harmony. Having a piano cue to follow for the tuning as well can help everyone to do their best to play in tune. Also keeping an eye to a tuner is a good help as well.

And that's basically all (I think)!

 

But I need your help!

Of course I need your help if I want to see this project become something real (which I think would be rather cool). In particular:

• Of course I need musicians willing to try this adventure. I play the bassoon, I can also play (more or less) the piano if needed, but that's for sure not enough to form an orchestra xD
• I really don't have any experience in audio editing. I think I can get a good recording of myself playing, but I have no idea really how to put all the parts together, set the volumes...
• If this project actually succeeds and there are enough people to do something, I think I'll need some help in organizing everything. Since I've never done something similar in the past, having someone to help me would be greatly appreciated
• Also if someone could help with the orchestration that would be awesome. I think I can make the orchestrations needed (I have perfect pitch and a decent knowledge of classical orchestral instruments), but having others to help would just be awesome
• Finally, since I'm a bassoon player I know more about wind instruments than strings. If some violin/viola/cello player is willing to join I could use some help with everything concerning those instruments.

Am I missing something I should say here? Most likely yes 

 

Miscellaneous notes:

• If you are a musician interested in this, just let me know here All I ask if that you have a decent sound quality and ability to be in tune.
• Also at the moment I'm thinking only of classical orchestra instruments, i.e. strings, woodwinds, brass... piano, though not being typically an orchestral instrument is accepted as well. As for guitar... I'm really sorry, but I really have no clue how to use them in a "classical orchestration" context. If someone can give me some advice on that I might consider adding guitars to the instrumentations, but at the moment I'd stick to classic instruments I know of.
• Since most of the songs from the show are sung, we will need singers as well. At the moment I have no idea how to handle this, but I think it's better if before thinking of this we form the actual orchestra and decide what piece of music to tackle. Then we could look for the appropriate singer/s.

 

Wow, that's a long post xD If you read it all, I really thank you very much for the attention. I hope you like this idea, and if you want to help me to realize it just let me know! I really hope many of you fellow musicians/bronies want to join in this project! Let's make something beautiful!

 

 

 

[Bogrick Grey Mane 2,594]

That's a wonderful idea you have there Goodwarf. Collaboration between musicians across the net is becoming more common these days, and the use of a cue track that can be removed in the final edit eliminates allot of the problems you are concerned about. Even the use of the dreaded and much despised auto tune can be but to great use when compiling all the tracks.

 

I'm a clarinetist, and have been since I was 12, though I have to be honest and say that I haven't played, or even touched one now in quit a few years. If you ever get really stuck with this project and need some extra players in the woodwind section, I may be able to help, but at the moment I can't make any promises.

 

I hope it is a great success for you

[Gooddwarf 22]

That's a wonderful idea you have there Goodwarf. Collaboration between musicians across the net is becoming more common these days, and the use of a cue track that can be removed in the final edit eliminates allot of the problems you are concerned about. Even the use of the dreaded and much despised auto tune can be but to great use when compiling all the tracks.

 

I'm a clarinetist, and have been since I was 12, though I have to be honest and say that I haven't played, or even touched one now in quit a few years. If you ever get really stuck with this project and need some extra players in the woodwind section, I may be able to help, but at the moment I can't make any promises.

 

I hope it is a great success for you

Cool! Thank you for the answer! About the auto-tune I'm rather skeptical about it, mostly because I know nothing on how it works; let's just say I'd rather rely on the ear of the musician

And of course I'll keep into consideration the fact that you can play clarinet if needed!

And again thank you for having posted an answer, it really  means a lot to me 

[Sinusoid 37]

    I play clarinet (soprano to bass), saxophone (soprano to baritone), recorder* (sopranino to tenor) tuba, euphonium, and keyboard instruments. I also have skill in audio editing and musical composition and arrangement, which means that I can help with organization by arranging MIDI files for the ensemble.

    *The recorder is not only a beginner's instrument.

    A great selection of MIDI files can be found at http://www.weimtime.org/midis, which I can use as bases for ensemble arrangements, like my arrangement or Rainbow Factory: https://www.noteflight.com/scores/view/8f839104d61c17722a4d0ce8cbd6b0ba631f2ba7. I believe, if we accredit the owners, and because this is a non-profit project, that this should adhere to copyright law.

    For synchronization, I agree with the use of a cue track, and For tuning, I suggest that everyone would tune to a constant electronically generated frequency, usually A at 110, 220, 440, and 880 hertz.

    I am quite interested in a project like this, and would love to participate.

Edited December 28, 2015 by Sinusoid

[Silver Lining 39]

I'm a percussionist of 8 years, but I lack any kind of mic that would work for this. Perhaps arranging a meetup or something like this at a convention would be super fun!

[PacificGreen 1,163]

Alto Saxophonist here, I suppose I could try this out. Sounds neat. :3 :3

[Gooddwarf 22]

 

 

I play clarinet (soprano to bass), saxophone (soprano to baritone), recorder* (sopranino to tenor) tuba, euphonium, and keyboard instruments. I also have skill in audio editing and musical composition and arrangement, which means that I can help with organization by arranging MIDI files for the ensemble.     *The recorder is not only a beginner's instrument.     A great selection of MIDI files can be found at http://www.weimtime.org/midis, which I can use as bases for ensemble arrangements, like my arrangement or Rainbow Factory: https://www.noteflig...bd6b0ba631f2ba7. I believe, if we accredit the owners, and because this is a non-profit project, that this should adhere to copyright law.     For synchronization, I agree with the use of a cue track, and For tuning, I suggest that everyone would tune to a constant electronically generated frequency, usually A at 110, 220, 440, and 880 hertz.     I am quite interested in a project like this, and would love to participate.

 

Wow, that's quite a lot of instruments xD And I know recorder is not only a beginner instrument I'm glad you are willing to participate in this project And as I said various times I really need all the help I can get, especially with audio editing, since I really now nothing about it, this might also be a good occasion for me to learn something

Also thank you for the MIDI files you linked, they'll surely come useful And I've seen your arrangement of Rainbow Factory, that's not bad indeed, especially considering it's not the easiest piece of music to put on real instruments

And also thanks a lot for the small copyright note, to be honest that was the last thing I was thinking of, so thank you for reminding me laws exist

 

 

 

I'm a percussionist of 8 years, but I lack any kind of mic that would work for this. Perhaps arranging a meetup or something like this at a convention would be super fun!

Indeed it would be... only problem is that I live in Italy, so it's kind of hard to pull off xD

 Anyway if you by any chance come by a mic, that would be cool, percussionists are welcome

 

 

 

Alto Saxophonist here, I suppose I could try this out. Sounds neat. :3 :3

 

Okeydokeylokey

 

 

It seems we are going to have quite a decent wind section Having some strings as well would be super nice.

Again thank you very much for the interest shown! Let's see if a few other players join!

[Sinusoid 37]

It appears that we will not receive more replies soon.

[BlueBrony 388]

I am a french horn player and I have my own mic. I also have some experience in editing and mixing music. If this project takes off, I would be would be glad to offer my services. :-)

[Gooddwarf 22]

I am a french horn player and I have my own mic. I also have some experience in editing and mixing music. If this project takes off, I would be would be glad to offer my services. :-)

Thank you for responding!!! You are more than welcome! 

 

 

 

It appears that we will not receive more replies soon.

 

yeah, so it seems... too bad we don't have any string player yet... I think we could try to make something with the people we have right now. This way we could see how things turn out, both for the organization and the final result. And if the final result is good, we could make more people interested in the project and join  We just need a way to form something like a group chat between all the participants, so we can talk and discuss what to do... any suggestion how?

 

Edit: now that I reached 5 posts I think I got the ability to create group PM conversations with up to 25 people... do you think this would be a good way to communicate with you all?

Edited January 1, 2016 by Gooddwarf

[BlueBrony 388]

 

 

I got the ability to create group PM conversations with up to 25 people... do you think this would be a good way to communicate with you all?

Group PM sounds good to me. I check this site almost everyday.

[Quickskit 31]

This is a awesome idea i would love to play bass in a brony orchestra. I have been playing bass for 4 tears now and would love to contribute.

[Gooddwarf 22]

This is a awesome idea i would love to play bass in a brony orchestra. I have been playing bass for 4 tears now and would love to contribute.

By bass do you mean electric bass or string bass? Anyway welcome aboard! I've added you to the group pm

[Tritone 3]

I think this is a great and wonderful idea. If you are looking for a trumpet player my range consist of low F# below the the staff to a double high G and I have been playing trumpet since I was 11. So if you need one just keep me in mind and hit me up because I would love to play with other people that share the same interest as me. I also have started out doing some small composing so I am a little new at it but can try for some songs if I get any request.

Edited January 19, 2016 by Tritone

[InfectedPone 1,548]

Seems like a great idea, I'm hopeless with instruments but it seems pretty cool

Edited January 19, 2016 by InfectedPone

[Gooddwarf 22]

I think this is a great and wonderful idea. If you are looking for a trumpet player my range consist of low F# below the the staff to a double high G and I have been playing trumpet since I was 11. So if you need one just keep me in mind and hit me up because I would love to play with other people that share the same interest as me. I also have started out doing some small composing so I am a little new at it but can try for some songs if I get any request.

sorry I've read it only now, for some reason I didn't get the notification. Anyway if you want to play you're welcome! I'll add you to the group pm now

[Melody Shine Veysel 8]

I hope that this is still open because I've been looking for something like this for a long time now..
I'd love to do this!
Here's my youtube channel where my piano and orchestral videos are. I love transcribing and arranging songs for an orchestra to play
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT9kMMFfQFR2nEOMzNmxLRw

[Ponies4Bronies 394]

I used to play the violin in 6th grade, lol people thought I was more of a bass person but I liked being able to sit. I still have it around somewhere but I don't know what condition it's in and I was I think 5th row back in our orchestra, so I wasn't that good. But I like your idea it could be pretty cool.

[Gooddwarf 22]

Woah, other replies, I wouldn't have expected that! xD I've added you to the group pm about this whole thing. Unfortunately I think I won't be able to work on this project for a few time, but still if you want to have a look and give it a try, you are in!