Orchestral Instruments: Roles, Harmony, & Timbre

Orchestration involves careful arrangement; primary instruments are essential for melody, while supporting instruments enhance harmony. Timbre, the color of sound, relies on both primary and supporting instruments to create depth. A full orchestra demonstrates instrument roles; primary instruments like violins often carry main themes. Music production depends on these instruments; primary instruments ensure clear melodies, while supporting instruments add texture.

What in the World is Orchestration Anyway?

Ever listen to a movie soundtrack and get chills, or maybe feel your heart swell during a particularly epic video game score? Chances are, you’re experiencing the magic of orchestration. Think of it as the art of taking a musical idea and dressing it up in the most fabulous outfit possible – an outfit made of violins, trumpets, flutes, and everything in between! It’s the process of carefully assigning notes, melodies, and rhythms to different instruments of orchestra to craft a rich and compelling soundscape.

At its core, orchestration is about choosing the right colors for your musical painting. It’s not just about what notes are played, but who is playing them. A simple melody can transform from a sweet lullaby to a heroic anthem depending on whether it’s played by a solo flute or a full brass section.

Why Does Orchestration Even Matter?

Orchestration is super important in music composition and arrangements because, without it, music would be, well, a little bland. Orchestration is what brings compositions to life and makes you feel something.

A Quick Trip Down Orchestration Lane

Orchestration hasn’t always been the complex beast it is today. Back in the day, things were much simpler. Early orchestral music often featured basic instrument combinations and fairly straightforward writing. As music evolved, so did the art of orchestration. Composers started experimenting with new instruments, pushing the boundaries of what an orchestra could do. Think of it as going from black-and-white TV to glorious technicolor!

So, Why Should You Care About Orchestration?

Whether you’re an aspiring composer, a seasoned arranger, or simply a music lover, understanding orchestration can unlock a whole new level of appreciation for the music you hear. For composers and arrangers, it’s an essential skill for bringing your creative visions to life. For music enthusiasts, it’s like getting a backstage pass to the creative process, allowing you to understand why certain musical moments move you so deeply.

The Core Instruments: Voices of the Orchestra

Think of the orchestra as a giant, vibrant choir, but instead of singers, we have a fascinating collection of instruments, each with its own unique personality and voice. They’re not just tools; they’re characters in a grand sonic drama! So, let’s meet some of the stars of the show, shall we? Prepare to be amazed by the individual magic each one brings to the orchestral table!

Violin: The Agile Acrobat

• Physical Charm: A sleek, wooden body with graceful curves, typically made of spruce and maple, held lovingly under the chin.

• Vocal Range & Tone: High and bright, capable of soaring melodies and delicate whispers. Think of it as the orchestra’s soprano!

• Acrobatic Skills: Legato, staccato, pizzicato (plucking), tremolo (rapid bowing), and harmonics (ethereal, bell-like tones). This instrument can sing, dance, and even tell jokes (musically, of course!).

• Orchestral Spotlight: Leads melodies, provides rhythmic drive, and can deliver heart-wrenching solos. It’s the ultimate team player!

• Star Moment: The solo violin in Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade” – pure magic!

Flute: The Whimsical Storyteller

• Physical Charm: A slender, silver or wooden tube with delicate keys, held horizontally and blown across.

• Vocal Range & Tone: Clear, bright, and agile, with a range from warm and breathy to piercingly high. The orchestra’s lyrical narrator.

• Acrobatic Skills: Flutter-tonguing (a rapid “trrr” sound), grace notes, and incredibly fast arpeggios. It’s the master of musical embellishment!

• Orchestral Spotlight: Carries light melodies, adds shimmering textures, and evokes pastoral scenes. Think springtime breezes and playful sprites!

• Star Moment: Debussy’s “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun” – pure, dreamy flute bliss.

Trumpet: The Bold Announcer

• Physical Charm: A shiny, brassy coil with valves that allow for precise pitch changes, held proudly and blown with gusto!

• Vocal Range & Tone: Bright, powerful, and assertive, capable of both fanfare-like pronouncements and lyrical melodies. The orchestra’s herald!

• Acrobatic Skills: Mutes (to alter the tone), lip trills, and staccato bursts. It can shout from the rooftops or whisper sweet nothings!

• Orchestral Spotlight: Announces important themes, adds brilliance and excitement, and can deliver commanding solos. It’s the orchestra’s attention-getter!

• Star Moment: The opening of Strauss’s “Also Sprach Zarathustra” – iconic and awe-inspiring.

Voice: The Soulful Singer

• Physical Charm: The most versatile instrument of all, residing within the human body!

• Vocal Range & Tone: Varies greatly depending on the voice type (soprano, alto, tenor, bass), but always capable of conveying deep emotion and meaning. The orchestra’s heart and soul!

• Acrobatic Skills: Vibrato, trills, melisma (singing multiple notes on one syllable), and a vast array of vocal colors. The ultimate expressive tool!

• Orchestral Spotlight: Delivers text, conveys emotion, and interacts with the other instruments in a deeply personal way. It’s the storyteller and the emotional core.

• Star Moment: Any opera aria by Mozart or Verdi – pure vocal fireworks!

Piano: The Versatile Virtuoso

• Physical Charm: A massive, keyboard-driven instrument with a vast range of strings and hammers, capable of producing a huge dynamic range.

• Vocal Range & Tone: Extremely wide, capable of everything from delicate tinkling to thunderous chords. The orchestra’s all-rounder!

• Acrobatic Skills: Arpeggios, scales, chords, and a wide range of pedaling techniques. It’s a one-person orchestra in itself!

• Orchestral Spotlight: Provides rhythmic drive, harmonic support, and can deliver dazzling solo passages. It’s the ultimate utility player!

• Star Moment: Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concertos – pure virtuosity and passion.

Viola: The Melancholy Mediator

• Physical Charm: Larger than a violin, with a deeper, more resonant body. The underrated sibling!

• Vocal Range & Tone: Rich, warm, and slightly darker than the violin. The orchestra’s sensitive soul.

• Acrobatic Skills: Similar techniques to the violin, but with a slightly more subdued character.

• Orchestral Spotlight: Provides warm harmonic support, plays expressive melodies in the middle register, and adds a touch of melancholy.

• Star Moment: Berlioz’s “Harold in Italy” – a viola showcase!

Cello: The Heartfelt Crooner

• Physical Charm: A larger, deeper-voiced member of the violin family, played while seated. The instrument for deep thinkers!

• Vocal Range & Tone: Rich, resonant, and expressive, spanning a wide range from baritone to soprano. The orchestra’s smooth vocalist.

• Acrobatic Skills: Similar techniques to the violin and viola, but with its own unique sonority.

• Orchestral Spotlight: Plays beautiful melodies, provides a strong bass line, and adds warmth and depth to the overall sound.

• Star Moment: Bach’s Cello Suites (arranged for orchestra) – pure cello mastery!

Double Bass: The Grounded Guardian

• Physical Charm: The largest and lowest-pitched string instrument, providing the foundation for the entire orchestra.

• Vocal Range & Tone: Deep, resonant, and powerful, providing the foundation for the entire orchestra. The orchestra’s solid foundation.

• Acrobatic Skills: Pizzicato (plucking) provides rhythmic drive, and arco (bowing) creates a sustained, powerful sound.

• Orchestral Spotlight: Provides the bass line, grounds the harmony, and adds a sense of gravitas.

• Star Moment: The low rumble in the opening of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony – pure power!

Percussion: The Rhythmic Revolutionaries

• Physical Charm: A vast and varied collection of instruments, from drums and cymbals to triangles and xylophones.

• Vocal Range & Tone: Infinite! Percussion instruments can be loud, soft, high, low, metallic, wooden – you name it!

• Acrobatic Skills: Striking, shaking, scraping, and everything in between! Each instrument requires its own unique technique.

• Orchestral Spotlight: Provides rhythmic drive, adds color and excitement, and creates special effects.

• Star Moment: The “Mars” movement from Holst’s “The Planets” – a percussion extravaganza!

Instrument Families: A Symphony of Sections

The orchestra isn’t just a random gathering of instruments; it’s more like a well-organized family reunion, where everyone has their place and unique personality. These families, or sections, each bring their own special sauce to the sonic stew, contributing to the overall flavor and texture of the music. Let’s meet the families!

The Strings: Heart and Soul of the Orchestra

• Overview: This is the big one! The string family typically includes violins, violas, cellos, and double basses. Sometimes you’ll even find a harp hanging around.
• Characteristic Sound: Think of the strings as the emotional core of the orchestra. They can be sweet and lyrical, dramatic and intense, or even a bit scratchy and unsettling (on purpose, of course!). They’re incredibly versatile, capable of both soaring melodies and rich, supporting harmonies.
• Textures and Colors: Strings are masters of creating different textures. A single violin can sing a solo line, while the entire section can create a lush, sweeping sound. Composers use them for everything from delicate pizzicato (plucking the strings) to powerful bowed passages. Think of the opening of Strauss’s Also Sprach Zarathustra, with its low, ominous string tremolos, or the soaring melody of Barber’s Adagio for Strings.
• Techniques and Effects: Legato, staccato, pizzicato, tremolo, and vibrato are just a few of the tricks up the strings’ sleeves. They can also play sul ponticello (bowing near the bridge for a glassy sound) or col legno (hitting the strings with the wood of the bow).

The Woodwinds: Voices of Nature

• Overview: The woodwind family is a colorful bunch, including flutes, oboes, clarinets, and bassoons. Sometimes you’ll see their extended family members like the piccolo, English horn, bass clarinet, and contrabassoon.
• Characteristic Sound: Woodwinds often evoke the sounds of nature. Flutes can be birdlike and airy, oboes are known for their reedy, expressive tone, clarinets can be smooth and mellow or bright and jazzy, and bassoons provide a warm, woody foundation.
• Textures and Colors: Woodwinds are excellent at creating distinct colors and textures. They can be used for playful melodies, haunting solos, or to add a touch of whimsy to the overall sound. Think of the playful flute melodies in Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, or the mournful oboe solo in the second movement of Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2.
• Techniques and Effects: Woodwinds can produce a wide range of sounds through techniques like trills, flutter-tonguing, and multiphonics. They are highly agile and can play complex passages with ease.

The Brass: The Royal Fanfare

• Overview: The brass family brings power and majesty to the orchestra. It typically includes trumpets, horns (French horns), trombones, and tubas.
• Characteristic Sound: Brass instruments are known for their bold, resonant sound. They can be used for triumphant fanfares, dramatic pronouncements, or warm, lyrical melodies.
• Textures and Colors: Brass can add brilliance and power to the orchestra. They are often used to build to climaxes or to provide a strong rhythmic backbone. Think of the heroic trumpet calls in Wagner’s operas, or the deep, resonant sound of the tuba in Holst’s The Planets.
• Techniques and Effects: Brass instruments can use techniques like mutes to change their timbre, creating a softer, more subdued sound. They can also produce glissandos (sliding between notes) and flutter-tonguing.

The Percussion: Rhythm and Spice

• Overview: The percussion family is the most diverse and arguably the funnest of the bunch, including everything from timpani and snare drums to cymbals, xylophones, and even things like triangles and wood blocks!
• Characteristic Sound: Percussion instruments provide rhythm, color, and special effects to the orchestra. They can be subtle and atmospheric or loud and dramatic.
• Textures and Colors: Percussion can add excitement and energy to the music. They are often used to highlight important moments or to create a sense of drama. Think of the dramatic timpani rolls in Beethoven’s symphonies, or the exotic sounds of the marimba in Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.
• Techniques and Effects: The possibilities are endless. Percussionists use a wide variety of mallets and sticks to create different sounds. They can also use techniques like rolls, flams, and ratamacues to add rhythmic complexity.

Blending the Families: Creating Orchestral Magic

The real magic happens when these families come together. A composer might combine the strings and woodwinds for a lyrical melody, add brass for power and drama, and sprinkle in percussion for color and excitement. The possibilities are endless! For example, a soaring string melody might be underpinned by a warm bassoon line, punctuated by a brass fanfare, and accented by a delicate shimmer of cymbals. By understanding the unique characteristics of each instrument family, composers can create a truly breathtaking and immersive orchestral experience.

Orchestral Roles and Sections: Dividing the Labor of Sound

Just like a well-coordinated team, an orchestra thrives because each section and instrument has a specific job to do. Think of it as a musical assembly line, where everyone contributes to the final, glorious product: a beautiful, moving piece of music. But who does what? Let’s break it down!

The Melody Makers: Leading the Charge

The melody is the tune, the part you hum along to. Instruments chosen to carry the melody need to be expressive and project well.

• Instrument Selection: How do we choose the right instrument for the job? It depends on the desired mood and character. A flute might bring a delicate, lyrical feel, while an oboe could add a touch of melancholy. Violins are versatile and can handle everything from soaring romantic melodies to quick, playful tunes.
• Crafting Clear Melodies: It’s not just about playing the notes; it’s about phrasing and articulation. Using different bowing techniques on strings, varying the breath control on wind instruments, or adding a touch of vibrato can make a melody sing! Consider register (high or low range) to match the emotional content. A high melody on a flute feels different from a low melody on a clarinet.

The Harmony Holders: Building the Foundation

Harmony instruments provide the chords that support the melody, adding depth and richness to the overall sound. They’re like the background singers that make the lead vocalist sound even better.

• Providing Support: Instruments like violas, clarinets, horns, and even lower strings often play chords or arpeggios to create a harmonic bed. The piano is a great way to cover all instruments and harmonies.
• Voicing and Movement: “Voicing” refers to how the notes of a chord are arranged. Close voicings (notes close together) create a dense sound, while open voicings (notes spread apart) create a more spacious feel. Skilled orchestrators use different voicings to add color and interest to the harmony, and they carefully consider how the chords move from one to the next to create a sense of progression.

The Bass Line Backbone: Laying Down the Law

The bass line is the foundation upon which everything else is built. It provides the rhythmic and harmonic grounding for the music. It’s like the drummer in a rock band, keeping everyone in time and on the same page.

• Establishing the Foundation: Instruments like the double bass, cello, bassoon, and tuba typically handle the bass line. They provide the low frequencies that give the music its power and stability.
• Creating Strong Bass Lines: A good bass line isn’t just about playing the lowest notes; it’s about creating a sense of movement and direction. Using stepwise motion (moving by small intervals), leaping to important chord tones, and adding rhythmic variety can make the bass line more engaging. A well-crafted bass line can drive the music forward and create a feeling of resolution.

Elements of Music: Orchestrating the Building Blocks

So, you’ve got your instruments, you know their families, and you’re starting to see how they play together. Now, let’s talk about the secret sauce: how orchestration takes the basic elements of music—melody, harmony, and rhythm—and turns them into sonic masterpieces. It’s like taking simple ingredients and creating a gourmet meal!

Melody: The Star of the Show

Melody, at its heart, is a sequence of notes that creates a tune. Think of it as the main character in your musical story. It’s defined by its contour (the shape of the tune as it rises and falls), its range (how high or low it goes), and the intervals between the notes (the distance between each pitch).

Now, how do we orchestrate this leading role? Well, you might give a soaring melody to the violins for a classic, romantic feel. Or, perhaps, a more angular and modern melody could find its voice in the oboe. The choice is yours, and it depends on the mood you’re trying to create!

Think about the opening of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. The violin sings a beautiful, lyrical melody that is both memorable and moving. The soaring nature of the violin, combined with Tchaikovsky’s brilliant melodic writing, creates an emotional connection that leaves a lasting impact. Alternatively, consider the melody in Debussy’s “Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune,” where the flute carries a languid, sensual melody that perfectly captures the dreamy atmosphere of the piece. The flute’s gentle timbre and expressive capabilities bring Debussy’s vision to life.

Harmony: The Colorful Backdrop

Next up, we have harmony. This is all about the chords, progressions, and voicings that support the melody. If melody is the main character, harmony is the landscape they are walking through. It provides depth, color, and emotional context.

Orchestration lets you paint this landscape with a vast array of colors. Imagine a lush, romantic harmony played by a combination of strings and horns – warm, rich, and inviting. Or, a dissonant, edgy harmony played by brass and woodwinds – tense, unsettling, and full of drama. Different instrumental combinations evoke entirely different feelings.

Listen to the rich harmonies in Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde.” Wagner uses a complex and innovative harmonic language, combined with a vast orchestral palette, to create an intense and emotionally charged atmosphere. The harmonies ebb and flow, building tension and release in a way that perfectly mirrors the opera’s narrative. Conversely, consider the minimalistic harmonies in Philip Glass’s “Einstein on the Beach.” Glass’s repetitive and simple harmonies, often played by a combination of keyboards and winds, create a hypnotic and meditative effect. The focus is less on harmonic complexity and more on the rhythmic and timbral textures.

Rhythm: The Driving Force

Last but not least, we have rhythm. This is the heartbeat of the music, defined by its meter, tempo, and patterns. Rhythm gets you moving, makes you tap your feet, and gives the music its energy.

In orchestration, rhythm isn’t just about the drums (though they certainly play a part!). Different instruments can create different rhythmic effects. The staccato notes of the strings can create a sharp, precise rhythm, while the rolling timpani can create a thunderous, powerful rhythm. Combining different rhythmic patterns in different instruments can create complex and exciting textures!

Consider the driving rhythms in Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring.” Stravinsky’s use of irregular meters, syncopation, and pounding percussion creates a primal and visceral experience. The rhythms are not just a backdrop but an integral part of the music’s overall impact. Then, there are the intricate rhythms in Steve Reich’s “Music for 18 Musicians.” Reich’s use of interlocking rhythmic patterns, played by a combination of percussion, winds, and voices, creates a shimmering and hypnotic effect. The rhythms evolve gradually, creating a sense of continuous movement and transformation.

Orchestration Techniques: The Composer’s Palette

• So, you want to be an orchestrator, eh? Well, buckle up, because this is where the real magic happens! Orchestration isn’t just about knowing what instrument sounds good; it’s about knowing what instrument sounds perfect for a specific moment, a particular vibe, a desired effect. It’s like being a chef with a spice rack the size of a small car.

Instrumentation: Painting with Sound

• Ever wonder how a composer makes you feel a certain way? A big part of it is instrumentation – the art of selecting the right instruments for the job. It’s not just about choosing a violin over a tuba (though sometimes, that’s exactly what it is!). It’s about thinking deeply about each instrument’s unique qualities.

  • Factors to consider? Oh, there are loads!

    • Range: Can the instrument even play the notes you’re writing? (Seems obvious, but it’s tripped up many a composer!)
    • Timbre: Is it bright and sparkly like a flute, or dark and brooding like a cello?
    • Dynamics: How loud or soft can it play? A whisper from a flute can be as effective as a roar from the brass section.
    • Playing Techniques: Can it do a tremolo, a pizzicato, a flutter-tongue? These special effects can add incredible color and texture.

  • Mood and Atmosphere: Think about how a lonely oboe can evoke a sense of melancholy, or how shimmering strings can create a feeling of ethereal beauty. Instrumentation is your key to unlocking these emotions.

Arrangement: Giving Old Melodies New Life

• So, you’ve got a killer tune, but it’s written for, say, a solo piano. Want to make it explode into a full orchestral extravaganza? That’s where arrangement comes in! It’s the process of adapting an existing piece for a different set of instruments.

  • Challenges abound!

    • Range Limitations: That piano piece might have notes that are too high or too low for certain orchestral instruments. Gotta transpose, baby!
    • Balance: A lone flute can easily be drowned out by a wall of brass. Careful with those dynamics!
    • Idiomatic Writing: Just because an instrument can play something doesn’t mean it should. Write in a way that feels natural and comfortable for each instrument.

  • Examples? Think of Ravel’s orchestration of Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.” He took a great piano piece and transformed it into a timeless orchestral masterpiece. That’s the power of skillful arrangement.

Counter-Melody: Layering the Good Stuff

• A counter-melody is like a musical sidekick, a second melody that plays along with the main tune. It’s not just mindless noodling; it’s a carefully crafted line that complements and enhances the primary melody.

  • Why use counter-melodies? They add depth, interest, and complexity to the music. Think of it as adding a flavorful sauce to a delicious steak.

  • Effective counter-melodies? Should have its own distinct character but still feel connected to the main melody. It should create a pleasing harmony and rhythmic contrast.

  • Imagine: A soaring violin melody accompanied by a playful, dance-like counter-melody in the woodwinds. Or a heartfelt cello melody supported by a gentle, arpeggiated counter-melody in the harp. The possibilities are endless!

Orchestral Considerations: Achieving Balance and Blend – Making Your Orchestra Sound Like a Million Bucks (Without Spending It!)

So, you’ve got your melody, your harmony, and a rhythm that’ll make people move. Awesome! But now comes the tricky part: making all those instruments play nice together. It’s like hosting a dinner party where the string section only wants to talk about vibrato, and the brass insists on telling loud stories. Your job? To be the ultimate host, ensuring everyone’s heard, and that the overall vibe is chef’s kiss. That’s where orchestral considerations come in.

Ensemble Balance: No One Likes a Show-Off (Except Maybe the Tuba)

Ever been to a concert where the trumpets are so loud you can’t hear anything else? Yeah, that’s a balance problem. Ensemble balance is all about making sure every instrument and section can be heard in proportion to its role in the music. Think of it like a perfectly mixed drink – too much of one ingredient, and the whole thing’s ruined.

Factors That Throw Off the Vibe

• Dynamics: This is the most obvious one. A fortissimo flute is never going to cut through a fortissimo trombone section. Be mindful of your dynamics, and use them strategically. Sometimes, quiet power is just as effective (or more so) than sheer volume.
• Register: Instruments are louder in some registers than others. A cello playing in its high register can easily get buried under a bassoon playing in its low register, even if they’re both playing at the same dynamic level. Be aware of where each instrument “sits” and adjust accordingly.
• Number of Instruments: Common sense, right? One flute vs. ten violins… the violins will probably win that battle. But even within sections, numbers matter. A solo clarinet needs to be scored carefully if playing against the entire string section.

Tips for Orchestral Equilibrium

1. Listen Critically: Record your mockups (or better yet, get a live performance!) and listen with a critical ear. Is anything getting lost? Is anything too loud?
2. Use Dynamics to Your Advantage: Don’t be afraid to write quiet passages. Silence is your friend! It creates contrast and allows softer instruments to shine.
3. Consider the Accompaniment: Sometimes, the problem isn’t the melody being too quiet; it’s the accompaniment being too loud. Thin out the texture of the accompaniment to let the melody breathe.
4. Embrace Panning (in Mockups): Panning can work miracles in a digital setting. It helps create space in the stereo field, giving each instrument its own little sonic real estate.

Blend and Color: Mixing Your Paints

So, you’ve got everyone playing at the right volume. Great! But now, let’s talk about color. Think of the orchestra as a giant painter’s palette. Each instrument has its own unique color, and by combining them, you can create all sorts of amazing textures and effects. Blend is how well those colors mix. Sometimes you want a smooth, homogenous sound; other times, you want a more textured, layered sound.

Doubling Down on Good Sounds

Doubling is when you have two or more instruments playing the same line. This can be a powerful way to strengthen a melody, create a richer sound, or add a specific color. For example:

• Octave Doubling: Playing the same melody an octave apart can create a sense of grandeur or power. Think of cellos and basses playing the same line – instant epicness!
• Unison Doubling: Playing the same melody at the same pitch can add weight and focus. A clarinet and oboe playing in unison can create a beautiful, reedy sound.
• Coloristic Doubling: Combining instruments with contrasting timbres can create unique colors. A flute and a muted trumpet playing together can create a mysterious, ethereal sound.

Other Tricks Up Your Sleeve

• Vibrato: The amount of vibrato an instrument uses can dramatically affect its blend with other instruments. A string section with too much vibrato can sound out of tune or wobbly, while a string section with too little vibrato can sound sterile and lifeless.
• Mutes: Mutes are devices that are used to alter the sound of an instrument, typically making it softer and more mellow. They can be especially effective for creating subtle blends and colors.
• Harmonics: Harmonics are high, ethereal tones that can be produced on string instruments by lightly touching the string at certain points. They can be used to create a sense of mystery or otherworldliness.

The key to blend and color is experimentation. Don’t be afraid to try different combinations of instruments and techniques until you find something that sounds just right. The orchestra is a vast and versatile instrument, and there’s always something new to discover. Now go forth, and paint your sonic masterpiece!

So, next time you’re listening to your favorite song, try and pick out which instruments are leading the melody and which ones are adding that sweet, sweet texture. It’s like spotting the main characters and the awesome supporting cast in a movie – both are crucial for the full experience!