Michael aaron piano biography

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The numbers represent only distinct parts, not the number of copies of a part. This ficticious work is for 2 flutes (plus piccolo), 1 oboe, 3 clarinets plus alto and bass clarinets, 2 bassoons, 5 saxes (soprano, 2 altos, tenor & bari), 2 trumpets (plus 2 cornets), 3 trombones, euphonium, tuba, tympani, percussion and double bass.

The first number stands for Violin, the second for Viola, the third for Cello, and the fourth for Double Bass.

michael aaron piano biography

String Instrumentation Codes

Following many of the titles in our String Ensemble catalog, you will see a set of four numbers enclosed in square brackets, as in this example:

DescriptionPrice
Atwell
Vance's Dance [0220]
Item: 32599
$8.95

These numbers tell you how many of each instrument are in the ensemble.

1929
[] Donkey trail.

Titles listed in our catalog without bracketed numbers are assumed to use "Standard Instrumentation." The following is considered to be Standard Instrumentation:

  • Brass Duo - Trumpet & Trombone, or [101.00]
  • Brass Trio - Trumpet, Horn & Trombone, or [111.00]
  • Brass Quartet - 2 Trumpets, Horn & Trombone, or [211.00]
  • Brass Quintet - 2 Trumpets, Horn, Trombone & Tuba, or [211.01]
  • Brass Sextet and greater - No Standard Instrumentaion
People often ask us about "PJBE" or "Philip Jones" instrumentation.

1938
[] Magic fingers. The first set of numbers (before the dash) represent the Woodwinds. Thus a double reed quartet of 2 oboes, english horn and bassoon will look like this:

0,2+1,0,1-0

Note the "2+1" portion means "2 oboes plus english horn"

Titles with no bracketed numbers are assumed to use "Standard Instrumentation." The following is considered to be Standard Instrumentation:

  • Duo - Flute & Clarinet - or [1010-0]
  • Trio - Flute, Oboe & Clarinet - or [1110-0]
  • Quartet - Flute, Oboe, Clarinet & Bassoon - or [1111-0]
  • Quintet - Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon & Horn - [or 1111-1]

Brass Instrumentation Codes

Following many of the titles in our Brass Ensemble catalog, you will see a set of five numbers enclosed in square brackets, as in this example:

DescriptionPrice
Copland
Fanfare for the Common Man [343.01 w/tympani]
Item: 02158
$14.95

The bracketed numbers tell you how many of each instrument are in the ensemble.

There is no low brass. Letters that are duplicated (as in A in this example) indicate multiple parts. Book Two has the student progressing at the intermediate level and introduces major, minor, augmented and diminished triads; major and minor intervals; the chromatic scale; cadence chords; the minor scale; and arpeggios.

Woodwind Instrumentation Codes

Following many of the titles in our Wind Ensemble catalog, you will see a set of numbers enclosed in square brackets, as in this example:

DescriptionPrice
Rimsky-Korsakov
Quintet in Bb [1011-1 w/piano]
Item: 26746
$28.75

The bracketed numbers tell you the precise instrumentation of the ensemble.

For orchestral music, saxes are at the end (see Saxophones below. Piano. In this case, the winds are all doubled (2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets and 2 bassoons), and there are two each horns and trumpets. 1928
[] Circus clowns. Note the inclusion of the saxes after bassoon for this band work. Titles with no bracketed numbers are assumed to use "Standard Instrumentation." The following is considered to be Standard Instrumentation:

  • String Duo - Viola & Viola - [1100]
  • String Trio - Violin, Viola, Cello - [1110]
  • String Quartet - 2 Violins, Viola, Cello - [2110]
  • String Quintet - 2 Violins, Viola, Cello, Bass - [2111]

Orchestra & Band Instrumentation Codes

Following some titles in our Orchestra & Band catalogs, you will see a numeric code enclosed in square brackets, as in these examples:

 Order QtyDescriptionPrice
Beethoven
Symphony No 1 in C, op 21
[2,2,2,2-2,2,0,0, tymp, 44322]
$150.00
Jones
Wind Band Overture
[2+1,1,3+ac+bc,2,SATB-2+2,4,3+1,1, tymp, percussion, double bass]
$85.00
MacKenzie
Hines Pond Fantasy (DePaolo)
[2d1+1,1,2+1,1-2,2(+2),3,0, perc, tymp, 44322, Eb clarinet, SAATB saxes, trombone solo]
$75.00

The bracketed numbers tell you the precise instrumentation of the ensemble.

It is highly typical of band sets to have multiple copies of parts, especially flute, clarinet, sax, trumpet, trombone & percussion. Piano. This is standard orchestral nomenclature. It consists of the forces 414.01, and often includes Percussion and/or Tympani. The first number stands for Flute, the second for Oboe, the third for Clarinet, the fourth for Bassoon, and the fifth (separated from the woodwinds by a dash) is for Horn.

Michael Aaron Adult Piano Course

The Michael Aaron Adult Piano Course offers an adult approach to piano study with a mature selection of pieces that the adult student can play immediately.