Steinberg HALion Symphonic Orchestra Operation Manual

ENGLISH
HALion Symphonic Orchestra
91 A typical score
1. Allegro Moderato
2 Oboes 2 Flutes
2 Clarinets (Bb)
2 Bassoons
2 Horns (D)
2 Trumpets (E)
2 Trombones
Bass Trombone
Timpani
Violins 1
Violins 2
Violas
Celli
Double Basses 

HALion Symphonic Orchestra
92
Common Articulations
You can use different articulations, i. e. different ways of playing, to 
vary the sound produced by an instrument. Some articulations are lim-
ited to one group of instruments, like the pizzicato, which only can be 
produced by stringed instruments, by picking a single string with your 
finger. There is nothing to pick with brass or woodwinds. However, 
there are other articulations that appear in different groups of instru-
ments, but have the same...

ENGLISH
HALion Symphonic Orchestra
93 Groups of legato notes.
Groups of staccato notes.
 Tremolo: A tremolo consists of very fast repetitions performed over a 
long note. On stringed instruments it is played with fast up and down 
bow strokes on a single pitch. In HALion Symphonic Orchestra you 
will find special string patches that control the transition between nor-
mal and tremolo. 
 Trills: Fast repetition of notes alternating between two pitches. Most 
trills are performed at an interval of one or...

HALion Symphonic Orchestra
94 An example for crescendo
An example for decrescendo
 Accent: An accent can be added to every note to emphasize one note 
for rhythmical and/or sound shaping reasons.
Accents on notes
Transposing instruments
There are two kinds of instruments in a score: transposing instruments 
that sound in another pitch than the one you can see in the score, and 
non-transposing instruments, that sound in the scored pitch. Most 
clarinets, horns and trumpets are transposing instruments; a...

ENGLISH
HALion Symphonic Orchestra
95
Woodwinds
There a three ways of producing sound with a woodwind instrument.
The first one is used by flutes, when a stream of air is split into two parts 
by an embouchure hole. One part of air escapes to the outside over the 
edge, while the other, smaller part of streaming air is directed into the 
hole, causing a vibration in the instrument and producing sound.
The second method, found in oboes and bassoons, uses a pair of 
curved reeds, buzzing against each other...

HALion Symphonic Orchestra
96
is typical. The flute blends very well with strings, horns, trombones 
and other woodwinds and always adds something noble, soft and 
shimmering to the sound.
Range for the flute: H2-E6.
Registers for the flute: Soft/weak, powerful/rich, bright/clear, and penetrating.
Oboe
 Transposing: No
 Range: Bb3 to G5
 Register: 3; lower, middle, high
 Agility: High
 Description: The nasal and sometimes penetrating sound of this dou-
ble-reed instrument is very suitable for expressive...

ENGLISH
HALion Symphonic Orchestra
97
Clarinet (Bb)
 Transposing: Yes
 Range: D2 to G5
 Register: 4; lower, middle, high, highest
 Agility: High
 Description: The low register in piano sounds mysteriously dark, soft 
and warm but lacks enough loudness to win out over an orchestral 
tutti. The middle register is a little bit dull and weak, followed by the 
high register, which is the best choice for solo work, with its clear and 
round timbre. The highest register tends to be shrill and must be in-
cluded...

HALion Symphonic Orchestra
98
Bassoon
 Transposing: No
 Range: Bb0 to E4
 Register: 3; low, middle, high
 Agility: High
 Description: The bassoon is able to express a wide spectrum of emo-
tional temperatures, from soft, warm and lively to significant, melan-
cholic and wistful. The low register delivers a solid bass foundation. 
The middle register is clear and rich in modulated sounds, distantly re-
lated to the oboe, but the timbre has more experience and wood. The 
high register sounds a little bit...

ENGLISH
HALion Symphonic Orchestra
99
Piccolo
 Transposing: Yes
 Range: D4 to C7
 Register: 3; lower, middle, high
 Agility: High
 Description: The piccolo in C sounds an octave higher than the nor-
mal flute. The low register evokes spooky and mysterious scenarios 
played in piano, while the middle and high registers are excellent for 
intense and penetrating melodic work.
 Combinations: In the orchestral tutti the melodic lines can be sharp-
ened by adding a piccolo flute, one or two octaves higher. It...

HALion Symphonic Orchestra
100
 Combinations: The English horn fits in best in the middle voices of the 
woodwind section. It prefers the combination with oboe, clarinet and 
bass clarinet, but also goes together well with trumpets and horns and 
with all strings, especially the viola.
Range for the English horn: B2-G5 (sounds a fifth lower).
Registers for the English horn: Mournful/intense, mellow/warm, clear/thin, too thin.
Bass Clarinet (Bb)
 Transposing: Yes
 Range: C2 to D5
 Register: 4; low,...