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Document Library with E-books, Articles, Musician Tools, Blogs and Interviews

The Document Library Collections

The library contains tools and documents for composers, arrangers, musicians and music lovers. There are HTML/JavaScript pages, PDF documents, articles and e-books, and Weblogs and interviews (in English and in Dutch).

Most of the content on this page is free of charge. Click on the link to open a document. However, you may consider to support content maintenance and development by clicking the Donate button (payment through PayPal). Some full documents must be purchased in the Webshop and will be sent through e-mail after receiving the payment.

E-books >> | Musician Toolbox >> | PDF documents >> | Blogs and interviews >>


1. E-books

  • Musical Analysis: Visiting the Great Composers, 6th Edition [PDF V6.1]
    The 6th Edition of this e-book presents a wide collection of diagrams with detailed formal, harmonic and melodic analysis of pieces from the classical music repertoire. Contains works by Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Berlioz, Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Schumann, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Grieg, Fauré, Puccini, Mahler, Debussy, Strauss, Sibelius, Ravel, Prokofiev and Shostakovich. Price: € 34 (1035 pp., 4.6 Mb, October 2017).
    Read more | Buy the E-book >>
  • Arranging by Examples, 3rd Edition [PDF V3.2]
    This manual is a practical guide to arranging techniques for jazz and pop orchestra; it contains many examples discussed in detail. With chapters on sectional harmony, tutti voicings, special techniques, instrumentation, harmonic tension, introduction and codas, melody. (Expanded edition with many new chapters, number of pages doubled). Price: € 24 (243 pp., 5.6 Mb, November 2014, Update March 2016).
    Read more | Buy the E-book>>
  • A Guide to Schillinger's Theory of Rhythm, 2nd Edition [PDF V2.2]
    This document is a guide to Book 1: The Theory of Rhythm from the Schillinger System of Musical Composition. It presents alternative notation, presents lists, musical score examples and provides comments to the original text. Price: € 20 (167 pp., 2 Mb, September 2015).
    Read more | Buy the E-book >>
  • Tonal Counterpoint Examples. This HTML page presents a table with a list of pdf booklets. These contain marked and annotated tonal counterpoint examples (2 to 4 voices, 1st to 5th species). Bundle with 9 Volumes. Price: € 19 (entire set, 115 pp.). (March 2009, update May 2017)
  • GDPR Privacy Notice (GDPR compliant privacy statement).

E-books >> | Musician Toolbox >> | PDF documents >> | Blogs and interviews >> | Top of Page >>


2. Musician Toolbox and HTML documents

  • Film Music Tempo Calculation Tool Vs. 3.1. This page finds the best tempo fit of musical beats coinciding with event timing markers in a film music cue. (JavaScript GUI, 2009-2016)
  • Pitch-Class Set 2.4. This page provides interactive tools for visual inspection, transformation and analysis of pitch-class sets. (JavaScript GUI, May 2005, update July 2017)
  • Composing with Twelvetone Triads for the Westworld Car Chase Scene. This competition entry was created from a set of atonal 12-tone triads. The composition process is discussed in detail. On the description page for "The Rough Lady Rides Again" find links to the full PDF score, the YouTube tutorial and a companion PDF booklet. (12/2020)
  • Retrograde-Inversion Chain. Fundamentals of the RICH transformation, classical music examples and application to the composition of melody and transitions. Also find links to the corresponding YouTube tutorial and a companion PDF booklet. (8/2020)
  • Tonnetz Diagram and Neo-Riemannian Theory. On this page there is an introduction to the major/minor triad Tonnetz diagram and Riemannian transformations. Also find links to a blank Tonnetz template graph and to the corresponding YouTube tutorials. (7/2020)
  • Risset Rhythm MIDI Tick Calculator Vs 1.0. This page contains a MIDI tick calculator for generating accelerating and decelerating Risset rhythm patterns. (JavaScript GUI, 01/06/2014)
  • Pitch, Time Delay and Frequency. This page contains tools to convert musical pitch into MIDI data and acoustical frequency, and to calculate the cancelling frequencies for a given time delay. (JavaScript GUI, 01/09/2010, update September 2017)
  • Symmetrical 12-Tone Series Vs. 1.2. This page contains a tool to create retrograde and retrograde-inversion symmetrical 12-tone series. (JavaScript GUI, 03/05/2010, update April 2011)
  • String Natural Harmonics Vs. 1.0. This page determines the sounding pitches and finger playing positions for the six upper partials of a vibrating string. (JavaScript GUI, 09/08/2009)
  • Note and Tick Timing Tool Vs. 1.3. This page calculated the durations of musical notes and software sequencer ticks for a given set of tempos in BPM. (JavaScript GUI, 09/06/2009)
  • Arturia V Collection Default Midi Controller Configuration. This page contains an analysis of and a link to a PDF table with the default Midi controller configuration for all synthesizers and other virtual instruments in the Arturia V Collection. (2/2020,12/2020)
  • Guide to the Fanfare and Concert Band Music. This document provides an introduction to the compositions and arrangements for fanfare and concert band. (Also in Dutch, 22/09/2007)
  • Instrument names and orchestral terms. This page gives an overview of instrument names and orchestral terms in English, Italian, French and German. (24/02/2007, extended January 2008)
  • Table of tempo indications. The table on this table gives an overview of tempo indications in Italian, English, French and German, with rough metronome markings. (18/02/2007, extended January 2008)
  • Tone series forms Vs. 1.2. This page lists all the transposed, inverted and retrograde forms of a given tone series between 2 and 12 pitches. (JavaScript GUI, 28/4/2010)
  • Harp Pedal Settings Vs. 1.2. This page provides tools for keeping track of chromatic harp pedal settings and changes in a musical score. (JavaScript GUI, 18/12/2006, update April 2011)

E-books >> | Musician Toolbox >> | PDF documents >> | Blogs and interviews >> | Top of Page >>


3. PDF document collection (articles)

  • Schillinger System YouTube Tutorial Guide. [NEW] As the set of Schillinger System of Musical Composition video tutorials on the YouTube channel grows this one-page document is a guide to the best viewing order for studying aspects from the system. (A4, 1 p., created May 2024, update Dec 2024)
  • The Patreon Companion Document Catalogue. The Patreon Companion Document Catalogue presents an overview of all PDF documents published for my Patrons over the years 2020-2023, a document set with a total of more than 450 pages. (A4, 63 pp., January 2024)
  • Combining Riemannian Harmony with Polychords and Arpeggio Melody. Companion document for the corresponding YouTube composition technique video tutorial. Available on my Patreon Page. (A4, 25 pp., August 2022)
  • Combining Techniques: Theme Imitation, Diminution, Hocket and Harmonization. Companion document for the corresponding YouTube composition technique video tutorial. Available on my Patreon Page. (A4, 24 pp., July 2022)
  • Hoquetus Technique: From Isorhythmic Motet to Tchaikovsky and Michel Legrand, Fundamentals and Examples. Companion document for the corresponding YouTube composition technique video tutorial. Available on my Patreon Page. (A4, 16 pp., June 2022)
  • Composition With Melody and Harmony Derived From Pitch-Class Set 6-7. Companion document for the corresponding YouTube composition technique video tutorial. Available on my Patreon Page. (A4, 18 pp., May 2022)
  • Schillinger Rhythm: Binary Synchronization Fundamentals. Companion document for the corresponding YouTube composition technique video tutorial. Available on my Patreon Page. (A4, 20 pp., April 2022)
  • All-Interval Tetrachord Meets The Riemannians: Combining Two Harmony Systems. Companion document for the corresponding YouTube composition technique video tutorial. Available on my Patreon Page. (A4, 23 pp., February 2022)
  • Dies Irae, two hexachords and a pedal point: The Lost Piano score. Companion document for the corresponding YouTube composition technique video tutorial. Available on my Patreon Page. (A4, 17 pp., January 2022)
  • Schillinger Instrumental Forms: An Introduction. Companion document for the corresponding YouTube composition technique video tutorial. Available on my Patreon page. (A4, 11 pp., November 2021)
  • Schillinger Strata Harmony and Orchestration: An Example, and Voice Leading. Companion document for the corresponding YouTube composition technique video tutorial. Available on my Patreon page. (A4, 33 pp., July and September 2021)
  • Schumann's Vogel als Prophet: Appoggiatura Abundance. Companion document for the corresponding YouTube music analysis video. Available on my Patreon page. (A4, 10 pp., June 2021)
  • Musical Pattern Design With the Dragon Curve Fractal. Companion document for the corresponding YouTube video tutorial. Available on my Patreon page. (A4, 8 pp., May 2021)
  • Nocturnal Party at Debussy's: Part 1 and 2, Fêtes middle section analysis and metamorphosis. Companion booklet to the video tutorial with the analysis of the Nocturnes No. 2 'Fêtes' by Claude Debussy and transformation into new compositions. Available on my Patreon page. (A4, 33 pp., April 2021)
  • Using the Arturia KeyLab Mk2 61 in Cubase: The Bermuda Triangle of Software Configuration. This memorandum describes the proper setup and configuration of the Arturia KeyLab Mkii 61 as a DAW controller in Cubase. Find settings in MacOS, the Arturia Midi Control Center and Cubase Studio. (A4, 3 pp., February 2021)
  • Rosenkavalier: Waltzing with Giant Steps. Companion booklet to the video tutorial on the use of combined harmony systems in the waltz from the Richard Strauss opera 'Der Rosenkavalier'. Available on my Patreon page. (A4, 23 pp., January 2021)
  • Guitar Harmonics: An Overview in Diagram. The natural harmonics of the 6-string guitar. The mechanism for generating natural harmonics on a fretted string. All possible natural harmonics the guitar in standard tuning, and in ascending pitch order. Mechanism for generating artificial harmonics. Minimum fair price: € 3. (4 pp., 198 kb, December 2018)
  • Two Time Delay Effects in Series. This document discusses a sound effect, based on two tempo-synchronised stereo time delay units in tandem configuration. This set-up will yield syncopated, panned echo series in music production. Minimum fair price: € 3. (13 pp., 144 kb, 1/7/2013)
  • Advanced Quantization in Logic Pro. This document illustrates in great detail the advanced MIDI quantization process in the Apple Logic Pro sequencer. The effect of various parameter settings is demonstrated with an example. (9 pp., 188 kb, 1/9/2013)
  • NI Absynth 5 Parameter Settings. This document presents an overview of the input parameters and ranges for the Native Instruments Absynth 5 synthesizer. A set of tables lists the control element parameters in the Patch and LFO Window. (10 pp., 136 kb, 1/4/2013)
  • MIDI Keyboard and Controller to Sound Mapping. This document contains a set of tables with MIDI Keyboard and Controller to sound library mappings for the Apple Logic EXS24 Sampler Instrument and the Native Instruments Kontakt and Battery sample players. Useful for sound selection and MIDI sequencer editing of woodwind, brass, strings, drums and percussion sounds. (40 pp., 160 kb, 1/6/2010, update: March 2013)
  • Harmony: Two Layers in Perfect Fifths. This document describes the analysis and application of harmonic structures, based on two layers of three-part chords in perfect fifths. The resulting chord structures are classified along a consonance-dissonance scale and two score examples are discussed. Available on my Patreon Page. (8 pp., 184 kb, 15/11/2009, update August 2015)
  • Musical Instruments Range. This graph presents an overview of the (sounding) range of many (orchestral) musical instruments. It gives practical and extended ranges. (1 p., 12 kb, 7/11/2008, update 12/2/2022)
  • Studio Orchestra Seating This document presents the seating arrangement for a large studio orchestra. Favourable aspects will be discussed. As an example, the Metropole Orkest seating will be considered. Minimum fair price: € 3. (6 pp., 1.1 Mb, 28/09/2008, update April 2010)
  • Hybrid 5- and 4-Part Harmony. This document is a guide to the Hybrid 5- and 4-part Harmony technique, as presented in Book 5: The Special Theory of Harmony from the Schillinger System of Musical Composition. The document describes the rules and guidelines for this technique and discusses a set of examples. Available on my Patreon Page. (19 pp., 960 kb, 09/02/2008, update August 2015)
  • Twelve-tone chords. This document discusses the derivation of 12-tone chords with minimum harmonic tension from a set of traditional 4-part chordal building blocks. These structures are being used in contemporary classical music compositions, e.g., in the music of Lutoslawski. Available on my Patreon Page. (7 pp., 140 kb, 27/01/2007, update August 2012)
  • Counterpoint styles. This document lists the characteristics of the late Renaissance and Baroque counterpoint styles, as derived from the textbooks by Jeppesen and Schoenberg. (4 pp., 136 kb, 21/12/2006)
  • String Fingering Diagrams. This document contains a set of string instrument fingering diagrams that may be used for checking hand span, multiple stops and combinations with natural harmonics. Diagrams (on A4 page size) are provided for violin, viola, cello, double bass and guitar. (5 pp., 44 kb, 02/01/2005)
  • Size of the String Section in Popular Music Recordings. This document lists the size of the string section in a number of popular and jazz music recordings. String section numbers for symphony and chamber orchestra are given for comparison. (5 pp., 84 kb, 13/11/2004, update: 20/7/2018)
  • Latin Music for Fanfare and Concert Band. The document presents essential guidelines for playing Latin music (Cuban or Puerto Rican style) for fanfare and concert band. (7 pp., 48 kb, 09/09/2004)
  • Swing Music for Fanfare and Concert Band. Popular music compositions and arrangements for fanfare and concert band may be written in swing style. This document gives background information about and performance guidelines for swing music. (4 pp., 28 kb, 22/08/2004)
  • Rhythmic Precision in Swing Music. This document contains a number of exercises to train rhythmic precision when playing swing music containing rhythmic accents. (2 pp., 20 kb, 16/08/2004)
  • Vocal Range: an Overview. Vocal ranges, as specified in literature, may vary considerably. This document gives an overview of various sources; vocal range will be presented for choir and solo voices. (2 pp., 16 kb, 02/07/2004)
  • Pitch-Class Set Diagrams. This document contains blank diagrams that may be used for composing atonal music based on pitch-class sets. The origin and use of these diagrams is explained in the text. (4 pp., 56 kb, 11/07/2004)
  • Manuscript paper 2 staves. Use this manuscript paper for rudimentary musical drafts. Piano staves (1 treble, 1 bass clef), 7 systems per page. (1 p., 8 kb, 09/07/2004)
  • Manuscript paper 4 staves. Use this manuscript paper for full orchestra sketches. Four staves per system, 5 systems per page. (1 p., 4 kb, 09/07/2004)

E-books >> | Musician Toolbox >> | PDF documents >> | Blogs and interviews >> | Top of Page >>


4. Weblogs and musician interviews

  • My Llife with Lemur, the iPet. Review of the Lemur Midi/OSC controller app. Application examples (May 2017).
  • De Metropole Orkest weblog. Weblog over concerten en evenementen met het Metropole Orkest. Tekst en foto's. (in Dutch) NB: Gestopt per 1/1/2014 (2007-2013).
  • Interview with Martin Fondse. Interview with composer, arranger and pianist Martin Fondse for the Metro Friends (May 2010, in Dutch, 30/09/2010)
  • Interview with Franck van der Heijden. Interview with composer, arranger and producer Franck van der Heijden for the Metro Friends (March 2010, in Dutch, 30/09/2010)
  • Interview with Bob Zimmerman. Interview with composer and arranger Bob Zimmerman for the Metro Friends (March 2010, in Dutch, 28/09/2010)
  • Interview with Jules Buckley. Article published in the Metro Friends, Volume 12, Nr. 23 (September 2009): interview with composer, arranger and conductor Jules Buckley (principal guest conductor of the Metropole Orchestra). (15/10/2009)
  • Interview with Sebastiaan Koolhoven. Article published in the Metro Friends, Volume 12, Nr. 23 (September 2009): interview with composer and arranger Sebastiaan Koolhoven (in Dutch, 15/10/2009)
  • Interview with Walter van de Leur. Article published in the Metro Friends, Volume 12, Nr. 23 (September 2009): interview with Prof. dr Walter van de Leur, holding the Jazz and Improvised Music chair at the Universiteit van Amsterdam (in Dutch, 15/10/2009)
  • Interview with Vince Mendoza. Article published in the Metro Friends, Volume 12, Nr. 22 (April 2009): interview with composer, arranger and conductor Vince Mendoza (chief conductor of the Metropole Orchestra). (30/04/2009)
  • Interview with Vellu Halkosalmi. Article published in the Metro Friends, Volume 12, Nr. 22 (April 2009): interview with Finnish composer, arranger and conductor Vellu Halkosalmi. (30/04/2009)
  • De violen in het Metropole Orkest. Artikel voor het tijdschrift Metro Friends, Jaargang 11, Nr. 21 (December 2008): een gesprek met concertmeester Arlia de Ruiter en Merijn Rombout, aanvoerders violen in het Metropole Orkest (in Dutch, 23/12/2008)
  • De altviolen in het Metropole Orkest. Artikel voor het tijdschrift Metro Friends, Jaargang 11, Nr. 21 (December 2008): een interview met Mieke Honingh, aanvoerder altviolen in het Metropole Orkest (in Dutch, 23/12/2008)
  • De cellisten in het Metropole Orkest. Artikel voor het tijdschrift Metro Friends, Jaargang 11, Nr. 21 (December 2008): een interview met Bastiaan van der Werf, aanvoerder cellisten in het Metropole Orkest (in Dutch, 23/12/2008)
  • De contrabassen in het Metropole Orkest. Artikel voor het tijdschrift Metro Friends, Jaargang 11, Nr. 21 (December 2008): een interview met Erik Winkelmann, aanvoerder contrabassen in het Metropole Orkest (in Dutch, 23/12/2008)
  • De harp in het Metropole Orkest. Artikel voor het tijdschrift Metro Friends, Jaargang 11, Nr. 21 (December 2008): een interview met Joke Schonewille, harpiste in het Metropole Orkest (in Dutch, 23/12/2008)
  • Een portret van Leo Janssen. Artikel voor het tijdschrift Metro Friends, Jaargang 11, Nr. 20 (Juni 2008): een portret van Leo Janssen, saxofonist in het Metropole Orkest. (in Dutch, 17/03/2008)
  • De percussiesectie van het Metropole Orkest. Artikel voor het tijdschrift Metro Friends, Jaargang 10, Nr. 19 (December 2007) over de samenstelling en de werkwijze van deze percussiesectie (in Dutch, 20/12/2007)
  • The Harenkarstival Overview. An overview of the Harenkarspel Music and Theatre Project 5-8 June 2008, with project history and production details. (in English, 21/06/2008)

E-books >> | Musician Toolbox >> | PDF documents >> | Blogs and interviews >> | Top of Page >>