MUSICAL COMPOSITION

106 MUSICAL COMPOSITIONequally surprised at the rapidity with which the twoscores assimilate. Do not lose sight of the necessityof writing horns and trumpets on the open notes only,(9) 0a=:=-9--a:::::: - ---9-and layout the passages in such a way as not to showthe weak points of your machinery. For example, aslow E flat ~P9- is below the compass of thedouble bass, do not writebut~&~ r r r W 0The first will accentuate its limitations, the secondwill sound natural. Remember that the two mostdangerous instruments in the orchestra are the doublebass and the drums; the former in consequence of itslack of sustaining power, which prevents it taking theplace or in any way reproducing the effect of organpedals (too often used as its model and prototype), andof its hollow quality in the lower notes; the latterbecause its too frequent use drowns detail more thanany other instrument, and induces monotony from thevery qualities which make it so useful in accentuatingcolour. Remember that violoncellos supply a perfectlyadequate and sonorous bass without any double bassesat all, and that the double basses are only an adjunctII