Piano

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Piano Usage (cont.)

The mid and upper registers of the piano are also commonly used to support other instruments. The pizzicato strings, clarinet and xylophone are some of the instruments that benefit greatly from the piano's support:

As you begin to incorporate the piano into your orchestral scores, try writing for just one hand at any given time (either the left or right hand). This will force you to focus on which orchestral sounds you will be doubling. It will also prevent you from writing a piano part that is too busy. Unless you are writing a piano concerto, keep the piano part simple.

To hear further brief examples of piano writing, please refer to the following Secret Composer excerpts: