How to Voice Brass Chords for Maximum Power
Have you ever wanted to compose a huge climatic moment - either within a standalone piece or scoring a video?
Sometimes utilising the full force of a Brass section helps to get the job done. Today I'm going to show you how to write large, powerful chords using the Trumpets, French Horns, Trombones and Tuba for maximum impact!
Step 1 - Finding some chords
I've started by finding a progression of 4 chords - Em, C#m, Em and then A major, along with loading up patches for each of the Brass Instruments into my DAW (the Brass Library I used was Berlin Brass).
Step 2 - Start with the Tuba
Take the root notes of your chord and give them to the Tuba. Aim to keep the notes towards the bottom half (or lower) of the bass clef stave as this is where the Tuba's sound is deep and strong.
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Step 3 - Add the Trombones
Trombones can sound great when each instrument is split out into an open voicing - chords that are more than an octave between the highest and lowest pitches. I'm using 3 Trombones plus a Bass Trombone (the bottom voice).
Aim to keep the Trombone pitches within the Bass clef stave itself (a ledger line below is ok as well) - this will again produce the most strong and solid sound from the instrument.
Tip - pay careful attention to the spacing between the Tuba and the bottom notes of the Trombones - due to the Overtone series, keep the spacing either an Octave or a 5th/4th at the low end, to prevent muddiness in your orchestration.
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Step 4 - Add the French Horns
The Horns sound bright and heroic from around the G below Middle C, up to the 2nd G above middle C (just above the treble clef stave - written pitches). Using a closed voicing (keeping the bottom and top note of a chord within an octave) will work well at these pitches.
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Step 5 - Finishing with the Trumpets
Finally add the Trumpets. For the clearest and brightest sound, it is best to keep the Trumpets within the range of between Middle C and an A, an octave and a half above. Again the Trumpets work great when split out using a closed voicing. I've added some extra rhythm to their part as well to add some further interest.
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Tip - it can be ok to double certain pitches between the different instruments. In the 2nd and 4th bars, I have the highest note in the Trombones, doubled with the lowest note of the French Horns.
