The Best Ways to Voice Strings? (and what IS string voicing?) 

Just how many ads do you need to put on your video? Wow!!

This is exactly what the internet was invented for. The entire free package of sounds, tools and information you guys have put together quite literally brings a tear to my eye. Just beautiful in it's generosity of spirit and pure solidarity with the need to create musical art. My heartfelt thanks to you and Christian and all the guys at Spitfire Audio.

The thing I really enjoyed about this video is that you demonstrate not just what works, but what doesn’t work and why not.

I'm just starting to learn composing for an orchestra and have no musical education, this was insanely helpful, thanks a million

“It's becoming a more indistinct, unsatisfying sound” he says-meanwhile I'm like THIS IS GORGEOUS, GIVE ME MORE SOUND SOUP.

Yes Paul, I found this extremely interesting. I have just got Albion One and I am still getting to grips with it. Just like so many others you talked about, I have no musical eduction (yes, I can read music). As I a rapidly approaching 70 (not sure how that happened) I am extremely grateful that I can embark on a journey of learning something that I have wanted to do for far too long. Obviously, it is going to be an uphill battle but one I am looking forward to. Thanks and keep the instructional videos coming!!!!!

The timing of this video couldn’t be better. I’ve been rearranging the strings & winds of a new piece over and over for a week. I needed a fresh perspective! Thank you for this.

Paul, this video has been both delightful and educational. I started a piece from scratch following each and every harmonization you made. Can't begin to tell you how much fun I had while learning. But above all, your last words about diving in and not worrying about formal training are even more inspiring and educational. I attended Berklee and studied film music composition, but I have to agree with you. There is no need for formal training. Just being passionate, willing to explore and being creative. My most admired composers do not have formal training. Thank you for taking the time to share this video and your words of wisdom. Cheers from Argentina.

Watching this three years after it was published and it's a gem. The things learned here will definitely stay with me.

I really appreciate the love and passion in articulations in this demo.

Thank you for taking the time to do this. It is the best tutorial on this subject I have found. Please more!

Always appreciate the depth of knowledge and advice shared on your videos, Paul.

Thanks Paul, great video! I've been crying out for this type of video, that bit at the end summed it up for me, this is so valuable for those of us trying to get the hang of this! And the way you went through the options made it so much clearer. Can't wait for the next one, would love to hear more on what impact different voicings can have.

This was such a helpful video, thank you so much Paul!

Thanks for taking the time to create the different arrangements and showing the effect achieved by each of them. I learned a lot and it inspired me to experiment more myself.

Thank You for the lesson Mr. Thompson. I always enjoy and find very helpful and useful. I'll be looking forward for the next one as always

I would have paid for this as a masterclass. Absolutely brilliant. Thank you.

Thanks for making this video! I'd love to see more instructional stuff like this. You break it down so eloquently.

One think I like to do when I write for strings is to use an approach of countermelody. I like to give the 4 parts of the string family a voice. My favorite instrument to do so would be the celli. I love to give the celli their own voice that would support the violins! But at different times. So when the violins sustain the note the cello would play their part and viceversa. I’m a self taught. But I find it quite useful and feels amazing really! I study everyday of my life the orchestra. So I can do this professionally one day. Filmscore and tv work are my favorite! Thank you very much for your approach, effort and hard work in this video. I love Spitfire Audio I learn so much from all your and teammates videos! 🙌🏼

Thanks Paul. Exactly the sort of insights I've been craving. This is the sort of content that takes your writing to the next level. In my ignorance I've always thought that writing voices in unison or octaves would be seen as 'lazy' and uninteresting so I have probably suffered from over-thinking it and trying to be overly clever with my arrangements (and making them sound murky). But your demo at the very end blew that away for me.

Fantastic video! I've love what you mentioned about not being afraid to "learn" how to write for the orchestra. I've been a musician for most of my life and love studying music for my own composing and guitar playing, but writing for the orchestra is a newer adventure for me. I've loved learning how to write better string parts, adding a whole new universe of colors into my arrangements. Thanks so much for the tips in this video!

This is just great information Paul, more like this please!

Fabulous start Paul. Please keep going on this .... And thank you for your time and sharing your experienced perspectives 🙏🏻

Always good to hear your voice and learn from you , thanks!

Pure Gold, thanks for sharing!

Fantastic information. Thanks for sharing!

Very helpful, thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge!

Very informative Paul, and much appreciated! 👍👍👍

Brilliant, I love your videos Paul. Really insightful

This was fantastic. Many thank, Paul. Cheers!

Thank you so much for this video Paul. I learned a lot about proper string voicing today.

Wish I could give you multiple "likes". Especially for the stuff you said during the end. I also love your Basic Instinct analysis video. Looking forward to more of that type of videos.

Thank you - very interesting video. I appreciate you taking the time to share your insights.

Extremely clear and well explained, it's useful to follow your thoughts flow, this helps a lot to understand voicings.

This is really great stuff for novices like me. I'm slowly building up an understanding of orchestral matters and the various outlets from Spitfire are playing an increasingly major part in my education. Thank you so much.

Wonderful and very insightful video Paul. This is exactly what I needed to get to grips with my first piece of music using the BBC SO Library. I cannot thank you enough for sharing your experience and understanding of orchestration. I am in the same boat as you. Self-taught but just taking it all in step by step. Many, many thanks.

This is great. Thank you so much for breaking this down.

Absolutely excellent, really inspirational, thank you Paul🙏

Great Video Paul. Thank you for making this. Very useful

Sounds pretty cool, thank you for the lesson!

Super helpful and exciting, Paul. Love the idea of incorporating the orchestra into all kinds of modern music.

Such a useful video... thank you so much for this x

This is super helpful for those of use coming at strings/piano from other instruments (in my case, guitar). Thanks for posting!

Thank you so much for this Paul. I have been creating some travel videos using music from other sources even though I am a musician (Piano, clarinet, guitar, etc.) I've recently retired and decided to spend the rest of my years creating video and music. This is actually the first video I've listened to on orchestration. It was well done because I was able to follow your every move and your reasoning. You have really inspired me. I have always played by ear and written a few pieces of music. Because of what you have done here I am ready to really delve into it. :)

Most mind opening and inspiring. Thank you

This is an amazing video. Thank you so much. I myself am self taught and have been looking into learning to orchestrate my music. This video is a great stepping stone into the world of orchestration. Thank you, once again.

Really interesting and helpful series of videos, waiting for the brass episode!!

Absolutely great thank you Paul

I revisit this video from time to time because it is so useful in terms of educating me about how strings work together. I make instrumental hip hop with orchestral elements and information like this is invaluable. Thank you Paul! 🙏🏿

Just fantastic. One of the best clear voicing for those of us not classically trained.

the way this guy explains things is amazing.

That‘s great content. You‘re a great instructor, thanks a lot.

Such great information. Thank you!

Excellent video Paul, really helpful and runs at a great pace. I hope there's plenty more to come. Who knew Johnny Bairstow knew so much about composition.. :)

Awesome. Thanks. That BBCSO sounds stunningly good.

Great Video Paul, as was the Basic Instinct Vid. Thank you for going through the lengths of producing this stuff for the community. The manner in which Christian and you are passionately sharing with the community of musicians and the whole way you are going about and communicating your business is a true inspiration and makes me feel quite good having spent thousands of Euro on your libraries. I am looking forward to seeing many more of those Videos. A great happy day to everyone reading!

Absolute gold. Thanks!

Wow, great video!! Very informative, detailed, and yet simple.

Thanks for the tips! I've been using the BBCSO nonstop the last few days. Loving the strings especially!

I think one important aspect in voicing is that the when the thirds are played at a lower frequency, this causes a lot of harmonics that clash with the actual root of the chord. Thus it's always better to keep the lower notes playing the root or fifths. Try avoiding the thirds for Celli and Bass. Not a hard rule, but I guess something will help?

this is extremely eye opening

God those strings sound amazing. Never wanted a library as much as the BBCSO! Useful video Paul, thank you! I would love a series exploring string voicings more in depth and specific compositions would be great!

Excellent content and teaching approach. Thanks and keep it up, kind sir!! :)

that was amazing. thank you very much for this video

Hey Paul! Had this video sitting in my Watch Later folder for way to long. Great info and easy to follow presentation. Thanks for all you do

Great video. Thanks for this.

Really helpful, Paul. Thank you for sharing .. 😊😊

Very, very interesting to watch you explaining voicing analytically. I used to do it intuitively, but sometimes it didn't work out. Now I learned why. For me, one of the most important things you said, however, was the encouragement to try things out and that orchestras welcome new music!! Thank you!

Hey Paul, thank you so much for this video and the sort of content you post in general! I have a solid background in music but all these sort of vids are fantastic help!

Excellent video. Coming from organ and guitar, I had no idea how to voice string orchestra parts. Very helpful. thanks.

This video is very informative. Thank you!

Have purchased BBC Maida Vale Pro. I am an old punk guitar player. Thank you so much for this video gift. Furthermore : you have given me permission to break the ingrained idea; that I am not worthy to even try. Spitfire is very special. I love you all. ♥️♥️♥️

Just Amazing, Thank you for share I just bought my BBC Symphony Orchestra core. love every sample.

Thank you Paul, very encouraging.

Christ on a bike those strings sound stunning. Thank you paul, that was really helpful

That RE-20 sounds Amazing at that distance. Great work!

Thank you for this, Paul.

This was extremely helpful and thank you for sharing. I have ordered several of the books referenced. I would certainly be interested in more videos regarding string arrangements as from what I have read they are the most important and foundational instruments in orchestral music.

Right off the bat, excellent video! I'd like to make my string sections in my work sound better, so this is great for it. Thank you =)

I just got my copy of BBCSO Discover and this demonstration is very helpful. Thank you for sharing some insights into string arrangement.

Really informative! thanks

Excellent explanation! thanks

Thanks for the insight.

Great stuff Paul. Would love to have a similar thing on woods, as I'm always confused how/when to use those. BBCSO sounds great btw, I love it

Good Lecture Paul.Thanks a lot.

I love these videos.

Beautiful sounds! That BBCSO library is awesome! I actually kinda like the sound you got with the cello playing the 5ths. Very conflicted and dark.

I really needed this, thanks!

Amazing Tutorial Thank you so much :)

I love your systematic approach. Trying them 1 by 1

Thank you Paul!!!

Likewise .. approaching 76 and still learning every day as I try to write for my own sake and not "to order" .. It's tremendously liberating to watch you teach us to "make better and better mistakes" and so free ourselves from the shackles of our limitations. Good stuff. Thanks.

Pretty helpful; thank you.

This was perfect timing that i found this before starting my Westworld composition. Thanks so much for this video, super helpful!

This is pure GOLD! Thank you for this! If you can- Winds, please!!!

Very nice ! Thanx Paul !

Thanks, Sir Paul!!!

This is great. Clear and helpful for those of us beginning to work with orchestral composition. Love to see more of these Paul, particularly utilising orchestral percussion.

As a Funk guitarist, this was an outer worldly experience for me but having ordered the Spitfire BBC Discovery package its a great start, thank you.

This video is absolutely perfect! It’s answering the question I never knew how to ask properly to get an answer, how do string players interact on a basic level. As a guitarist of 28 years (wow) I didn’t even know what a 3rd or 5th was