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Topic: how many musicians does it take?  (Read 1297 times)

Offline pianohopper

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how many musicians does it take?
on: October 06, 2005, 02:08:18 AM
How many violinists, cellists, violists, bassists, etc.,  would it take to create a sufficient string section for a symphony orchestra?

Brass & woodwind shouldn't be that hard, but strings is a toughie.  20 violins?  10 cellos?
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Offline rob47

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Re: how many musicians does it take?
Reply #1 on: October 06, 2005, 03:05:27 AM
IN rimsky korsakov's orchestration book he suggests

                   Small Orchestra                    Medium Orchestra       Large Orchestra
Violins I ............. 8                                        12                                  16
   "  "   II .............6                                        10                                  14
Violas .................4                                           8                                 12
Cellos .................3                                           6                                 10
Double Basses....2 - 3                                   4 - 6                              8 - 10


enjoy my attempt at some sort of table
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Offline Dazzer

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Re: how many musicians does it take?
Reply #2 on: October 08, 2005, 03:26:01 AM
i was expecting a "to change a lightbulb" :P
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Offline pianohopper

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Re: how many musicians does it take?
Reply #3 on: October 11, 2005, 02:19:55 AM
Quote from: Dazzer on October 08, 2005, 03:26:01 AM
i was expecting a "to change a lightbulb" :P
It can be arranged!  Read on:

How many musicians does it take to change a lightbulb?
Five.  One to change the lightbulb and four to stand around saying, "Man, if I'd had his studio time, I could have done that."


How many feminists does it take to change a lightbulb?
That's not funny.

Do you know how many musicians it takes to change a lightbulb? 
No, but hum a few bars and I'll fake it.
---or----
Twenty.  One to hold the lightbulb, two to turn the ladder, and seventeen in on the guest list.    (I don't get this one.)
---or---
5, one to change the bulb and 4 to get in free because they know the guy who owns the socket.


How many jazz musicians does it take to change a lightbulb?
21.  One to change the lightbulb, and 20 to agree that Duke Ellington did it a lot better.
---or---
Don't worry about the changes.  I'll just fake it.

How many musicians does it take to change a lightbulb?
None.  Musicians can't afford lightbulbs.
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