How To Write and Arrange For Strings The Basics 

10:40 minutes into strings orchestration and chill and he gives u this look.

Professional violist here. Some clarification, I think, is in order. You mention that it is easy to play a fifth on a string instrument because you just bar your finger across the strings. Spoken like a true guitar player! True, it’s “easy” to play, but difficult to play in tune, especially if you want an entire orchestra section to do it. (There is a RU-vid comedy duo, two professional violinists, called “Twoset violin”; they do a skit on how hard it is to play fingered fifths correctly). So, I can almost guarantee that if you write fifths non- divisi, the conductor or section leader will have the section divide it anyway, first for intonation, second for clarity of sound. If the fifths are open strings, then you’re probably OK, though; that can make for a nice drone effect. Finally, if you’re writing for a soloist piece, or small ensemble with one player per part, non-divisi fifths can be quite viable. Also, while you can indeed play chords on stringed instruments, you can’t really sustain them if there are more than two notes in the chord. If you want a sustained chord (and sustained notes are great on strings), then divisi is the way to go. Double stops can be sustained, but are likely to sound muddy in a large ensemble, and, again, the conductor/section leader will likely call for divisi anyway. Sometimes a four-note chord will be divided into two double stops by the conductor or first chair. Otherwise, great stuff as always Rick; I hope this was helpful.

Just a quick note about cellos, since I'm a cellist ... larger intervals are easier to play higher up since less of a stretch is required.

Good day Rick, I use your videos for all of my music classes, we love your musical insight. I am the principal bass of the Miami Symphony Orchestra. We use five string basses and it goes as low as the low B. We love to play lower than the E notes every time that we have an opportunity. Our conductor, Eduardo Marturet, loves the deep sounds and tones provided by the 5-string bass instruments of the the double bass section.

I was playing with a keys player who absolutely rocked a horn section sound. His secret was that he played horns throughout high school and college. He know the instruments. So he replicated their interactions, strengths, and limitations into his keyboard arrangements. That's how he sounded real and authentic. Thank you for spelling out the importance of understanding what you are trying to replicate!

As a self-taught musician of 40+ years who knows zero about music theory, suddenly I am transported into a whole new world of ideas and possibilities without knowing any more about music theory than I did before. This to me is a mark of a great teacher. I thank you, Sir!

Rick, I am a 79 year old recently retired lawyer. Not a musician, though I love most forms of music, particularly classical and jazz. I have long been curious as to how composers write symphonies. Your excellent video is a good start for my musical education! Best regards, Skip Hartquist

Love your sharing of your vast knowledge of music. Thank you. As a composer by ear I'm always learning, perhaps late but always inspired by your spirit and willingness to teach. I only wish I could have studied with you when I was young. You're a blessing.

Rick this is fast becoming my favourite RU-vid channel. Seriously amazing useful information, thank you!

I always feel like I'm in music class when I watch your videos, Rick! Writing down notes while watching your videos, rewind if I didn't understand and pausing to work out what i'm stuck in. I'm learning so much from your teachings and they really are making a difference to my composition. Videos like "Chromatic Mediant Modulations", "4 Chords to modernize your sound" and "How to write like John Williams" show really great practical and applicable composition tools that I wish was being taught in my college! More so than analyzing every bar of Prokofiev's Peter and The Wolf! haha

Wow this was so helpful. The best teacher on RU-vid thank you! ❤

As a cellist, I can confirm that the cellos range is much bigger. Without artificial harmonics im comfortable plaything the A 1 line above treble clef staff. Im sure this applies to double bass, viola (also being able to read in treble) and violin.

Enjoyed your video explaining the ranges of violins, violas, cellos, and double bases, and different applications on how to use them..

If you want intensity on notes that would normally be played in lower positions you can instruct them to be played on a particular string., eg instead of playing the open A, instruct them to play it on the G-string.

After studying the scores of Mahler and his often use of chords on the string instruments, this lecture shed much light on how to do that. Thankyou for your labors here.

We've been Rick rolled in a good way 😂 Rick Beato the King of cool. Thank you Rick.

Such amazing information Rick. You are an amazing teacher. None of us need music college now. We have Rick on the University of RU-vid. Thank you so much. Your talent and clear common sense are so refreshing.

I found you through your videos where you talk about the styles of key producers. I found them entertaining and informative, but this right here is pure practical goodness. Thank you for this.

Rick YES!!! i stumbled upon your site ... never knew you taught strings analysis, etc. - it was something I'd been considering learning for my composing ... and I see your site - WOW! thank you so much for the thorough explanations that makes it easy to understand ...

Any brass and woodwinds tutorials like this one. It's really helpful, thank you so much!

Rick Beato is the man, life saver! I appreciate all that you do for the music community. Huge cheers to you!! Loads of love and respect.

Man I can watch your videos all day, you have a sort of Dustin Hoffman quality and kindness to your voice which make watching and listening really easy and accessible. I've just started composing for film following 15 years in rock music and I'm finding it a wonderful new adventure and videos and channels such as yours are a godsend. Keep doing what you do Rick, thank you!

Thanks Rick. I studied this stuff at Berklee back in 1988, and watching this video revealed how much of this valuable stuff I had forgotten. It's amazing to watch your videos. Everything just falls into place again as you explain things and break them down. THANK YOU!

Wow, thank you, Rick! That was intensely interesting. I’ve been arranging string parts for my own songs, really just flying by the seat of my pants, total intuition. But your video puts in bed rock there.

Thank you for providing such priceless information simplified!!!

Rick I want to thank you for all your videos, they have helped me a lot in my development, and I’ve seen a huge change in my progress in music :)

Thanks Rick for all the fantastic videos you take the time to do, it's truly appreciated!

The knowledge you share is priceless, thank you!

I found your channel an hour back. Honestly speaking, you have the best tutorials out on strings and orchestration. Can't stop learning, lol.

Rick, this video is so valuable really. Thanks so much!!!

You are the man I've been looking for! I havn't been able to find any music theory/composing/arranging techniques anywhere. Thanks so much.

I've been looking for a video explaining this. Thank you Rick!!

This so far has been the most productive lesson in a long time. Thanks for sharing the knowledge in such an elegant way.,..,.

Very interesting. So many colours to play with!

Such valuable info! Thx Rick!

That really opened my eyes. Thank you very much!

Thanks Rick! This is really handy and very clear. Look forward to part two!

Thank you, Rick. Very helpful.

Thank you for the great insights!!!

I'm actually glad I found this video because I couldn't tell if each group in the strings family are divided or not. Thank you for teaching me this!

Such perfectly explained content in a simple easy to understand way. Thanks so so much for these super super useful videos. Please keep on publishing. This is by far the most useful RU-vid channel I’ve come across

Thank you for all your amazing videos. Youre a huge help to my learning and inspiration

Rick, thanks so much for this.. i have music in my bones but never had any education growing up. This is generous for me as i am working on my solo record :) hope to meet you one day on my travels to the US! Stay blessed!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for this! Thank you for all of this!

Thank so much for this wonderful explanation

Fun fact: composers don’t give two shits about the range of the violin. They’ll have you in playing high up all the time and they don’t care that your wrist hurts.

wonderful information thank you!

Thanks for great explanations, firstly. Secondly I really liked the sound of the rain on bg!

just found this channel. it's fantastic! so much instruction and it's free. thanks Rick!

For a newbie like me this is all so fascinating and exciting. Thank you for this wonderful tutorial.

Thank you for all the knowledge you provide. Please keep on doing this :)

Thanks Rick for this great tutorial!

Great stuff man! Really good information.. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the World!

Just found your channel and I am addicted! Good work!

This is fantastic, Rick. Thank you.

I found it useful and I'm not even musically knowledgeable. This will help me get better use out of my strings samples. Cheers.

Thank you so much for the information, this is really helpful!

thank you very much sir for sharing knowledge.🙏

I'm so thankful for this channel. As an aspiring composer I find a lot of the content pretty useful... keep uploading please :)

This is helpful. Thank you for the vid.

Thank you, I'm writing a piece for string orchestra, you really helped me out!

Thank you Rick, I always wanted to learn orchestration.

Thank you Rick!

Thanks a lot for sharing your wisdom. And many greetings from Germany!

Great video!! Learn some stuff to consider when composing music for my violinist for our live shows. Thanks!!

For quick info: 4:40 Range of the 4 string instruments 4:44 Orchestrating chords

Excellent orchestration series Rick!

Great outline..so informative !!

Love this video ! I learned a lot ! Great video !

Just came across your channel. Like the way you teach. Thank you.

I want to print out the chart at 4:38 and put it on my wall. So insanely helpful!

Best tutorials ever. Thank you!

Very useful information! I've been trying to make my MIDI strings better so this was some really nice help, thank you 😃

great work Rick, learned a lot, you are a great teacher, thanks :)

well described thank you

Thanks very useful!

Thank you! Very useful

Gave me good place to start, thanks!

I think this is very helpful, thank you!

Great as usual Rick! Wonderful intro to range of voices/notes. At university we were urged to study in depth Ravel's String Quartet. Also, George Martin said writing for strings is not really a common sense endeavor. A lot of other things go into proper voice leading and harmony application. You are leading the way, Bro.

can't wait for Part 2, thanks Rick

Man this video just saved me a lot of time. Thanks for the amazing info!

Nice! Thank you very much Big hugs from Brasil :)

You are the best rick! i needed this so much,maybe you can do the other instruments in the orchestra! Thank you !

Why so many downvotes? great stuff, please do more! :)

Love this

Priceless information

Great overview of writing for real string studio musicians!

Nice "~THEORY~" thanks for the SHARE.

great thanks it helps me a lot !!!

Great explanation !!!

Great advice!

Great lesson, many thanks Rick. I can't find part 2 as mentioned.

thank you! Cheers from Jakarta, Indonesia!

your videos are such treasures man! the only issue I have is that you have SO many videos that its hard to find a structure/guideline in them.

Using this to finish a piece that was meant for a special someone, making it sad instead 🗿🔥

Thanks again! all the best :)

Great video, Rick ! Thanks for sharing your knowledge !

Great series! I use Mixcraft to experiment with film scores so your breakdown actually defines each track. I'll set up your chord examples and get the fingering down on midi. You really provide a kit which when put together with a slide show of war situ for example along with some dialog should be very powerful. I take notes on notepad along side your video so your recaps of the instrument note ranges are very helpful. Great tools for an amateur film score dude like moi. (an overhead of keys played would be neat) Mike

You sir , is Yoda of music 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻