What instrumentation should I use if I want to represent different types of water flow in music?

Question

I'm writing a minimalistic piece that needs to represent different types of water flow. I'm looking to write for a small ensemble of 3 to 8 instruments. Suggestions?

Answer 1

It's all about the notes you choose and their rhythm and configuration, and whether the piece is successful or not depends almost solely upon that. It is still best to determine your instruments first, but truly, your general notion of the piece should already be directing you to make the correct choices.



Instruments and instrumentation are 'neutral' in conveying much outside of badly worn cliches which are always best avoided. There are good arguments both for and against using the now cliche 'minimalist' orchestration of multiple malletphone ensembles (multiple marimbas, pianos, keyboards, etc.) as well as for using any of them -- they sound well and 'work' for the style.



Instrumentation is often chosen first by what instrumentalists will readily be at hand, available, and able to perform to the level of technical demands of your composition.

Ex: If you have certainty there will be two pianists, a 'cellist, two violists, a soprano saxophone player and two clarinetists readily available, then there is one very ready answer. Dependent upon the level of their ability and ownership of a second instrument, any of the reed players might double on another reed (clarinets I and II might each alternate to a Bass Clarinet and an Eb Soprano clarinet... and if you have the luxury, the pianists might also double on a celeste, toy piano, and / or play digital keyboards, allowing an additional array of timbres including electronics.)



I would avoid literalism in your choice of notes, configuration and instrumentation: it is death to any worthwhile imagination, including that of your audience.





Best regards.

Answer 2

I'm afraid your question is extraordinarily vague. As the composer, it's up to you to try to convey "water flow", whatever that means. This kind of thing has always depended on convention: Bach would write "water music" in a completely different way from, say, Beethoven, or Schubert, or Stravinsky, all of whom wrote so-called "program" music, i.e. music that is supposed to suggest some sort of imagery. It's unlikely any of them would agree how to do so if you put them all in the same room.

Answer 3

check out bedrich smetena. He composed a piece about the river vltava flowing through landscapes - listen to ascending and descending phrases on the flute and especially on the strings - beautiful!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdtLuyWuPDs

Answer 4

Listen to:



1) Beethoven's Moonlight sonata 1st mvt: Critics say this is liken to calm lake water against moonlight.

2) Chopin's Raindrop prelude: imitates raindrops

Answer 5

depending on what instrumentation you have access to you could do several different things.

You could use woodwinds (clarinets, flutes, and oboes) to imitate the rush of water by using runs. you could use a lots of different percussion instruments such rain sticks, the roll on a snare drum, or crash cymbals to imitate crashing of waves and trickling of water.

Answer 6

Get a sampler, sample some "water flow", play it back and throw a boatload of FXs on it.

Answer 7

golden spiel for nice water patterns a rain stick, harp if you have one????