I am currently in search of a book so I can improve the way I use instruments in composition, and have a greater knowledge of how they work and um other technical things etc... blah blah...


anyway I have looked into book(s) such as "Principles of Orchestration" by rimsky korsocov (however you spell his !****! name!!!) etc etc...


but was just wondering what would be the best book to get?!?!? cos I have no !****! idea!! I compose for orchestras mainly and are usually like classical music, yeah!! so any ideas anyone!??


(please excuse the bad grammer/language... I'm tired!!)

If you are looking into books for something for classical music, the one you mentioned by Rimsky-Korsakov should have a good range of information. There is a book by Tchaikovsky, Guide to the Practical Study of Harmony, which I would consider the best out there in terms of creating a solid foundation for learning and studying harmony (I myself have never read it, but if it is by Tchaikovsky, it just has to be good!).

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Another book, by Hector Berlioz, is "Treatise on Modern Instrumentation and Orchestration".