Free stuff

The coolest thing to me since sliced bread. Free orchestration lessons online at www.northernsounds.com

I found this site when I was looking for more info on orchestration. I have been a "synth" composer since I was in 6th grade when I got my first music program, Cakewalk 3 probably (I'm not sure what number it was, but it was one of the earliest). My uncle gave it to us and I loved it. It is how I learned to read music. And how I learned about rhythm. I had already been teaching myself piano by ear, but the program really helped me understand so much more. Then I started writing for piano, then piano and flute, then more and more instruments.

Now I have Finale 2007 with Garritan Personal Orchestra. My computer is running great and everything is sounding so much better. I wasn't able to take orchestration at BJU, although I took other music classes as a music minor. I don't know why I didn't put in the effort to study orchestration on my own until now, but I really need it, I see. And I'm really enjoying it.

The only problem I have now, and I admit it isn't a huge one, is I have an old keyboard. It doesn't have 88 keys which is hardly the most frustrating thing. It can't record velocity! Velocity for those who don't know is basically how hard you strike the key. So I have to rely on filters and the human playback function to add realism to my music currently. Not the best solution. It would be nice to have a mod-wheel/pitch bend too. Garritan uses the piano pedal, a mod-wheel and velocity MIDI data in a "revolutionary" way to switch samples to make every instrument sound its best. I can add that data later, but once again, not as convenient. I'm saving up for a new keyboard.