This list provides an overview of books on the theory and practice of orchestration and choosing the right instrumentation.

We welcome feedback, suggestions, additions, and corrections to this information.

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Principles of Orchestration, Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov. Dover Publications, Inc. 1950. ISBN 0486212661 (paperback)

Addressing the emotional and psychological effects of instrumentation, as well as techniques in orchestration, this is a classic text by one of the great orchestrators.

Treatise on Instrumentation, Hector Berlioz, Richard Strauss. Dover Publications, Inc. 1991. ISBN 0486269035 (paperback)

Thesaurus of Orchestral Devices. Gardner Read. Greenwood Press. 1969. ISBN 0837118840 (hardcover).

In english, Italian, French, and German with instrument complete ranges, best ranges, characteristics of ranges, list of effects and devices with references to page number and measures of compositions quoted.

Orchestration, Cecil Forsyth. Dover Publications, Inc. 1983. ISBN 0486243834 (paperback)

One of the classic general orchestration texts. Thorough discussion of 57 instruments, technical aspects of writing for each. Though this text is somewhat dated (1913 copyright), it does provide a worthwhile introduction to the topic. Each instrument of the orchestra is covered in detail, and the section on writing for strings is outstanding. Uses musical examples, and is appropriate for readers with a moderate knowledge of theory who are interested in the technical side of orchestration. 576 pgs.

The Technique of Orchestration, Kent Kennan, Donald Grantham (contributor). Prentice-Hall. 1996. ISBN 0134663276 (hardcover)

Fifth Edition includes sections on scoring for woodwinds, percussion, brass, strings and ensembles, as well as comprehensive chapters on bowing and special effects, scoring chords for each section and for the orchestra, transcribing piano music, infrequently used instruments, scoring for high school orchestra and for non-orchestral instrumental groups.

Writing for the Orchestra: An Introduction to Orchestration, Merton Shatzkin. Prentice-Hall. 1993. ISBN 0139534318 (hardcover)

Coherence, Counterpoint, Instrumentation, Instruction in Form (Zusammenhang, Kontrapunkt, Instrumentation, Formenlehre), Arnold Schoenberg. University of Nebraska Press. 1994. ISBN 0803242301 (hardcover)

Orchestration and Orchestral Style of Major Symphonic Works: Analytical Perspectives, Leonard Ott. Edwin Mellen Press. 1997. ISBN 0773486011 (hardcover)

Orchestration, Walter Piston. W.W. Norton & Company. 1955. ISBN 0393097404 (hardcover)

The Study of Orchestration. Samuel Adler. W. W. Norton. 1989. ISBN 0393958078 (hardcover).

Workbook sold separately: 0393958086.
Five audio-cd set sold separately: 0393993906.
The third edition of this highly successful orchestration text follows the approach established in its innovative predecessor: Learning orchestration is best achieved through familiarity with the orchestral literature; this familiarity is most effectively accomplished from the music notation in combination with the recorded sound. The text has been revised to reflect the most informed reactions to the first and second editions, as well as Professor Adler's revisions.

Elements of Orchestration. Gordon Jacob. October House. 1965. ISBN 0807900435 (hardcover).

Style and Orchestration, Gardner Read. Macmillan Publishers. 1979. ISBN 0028721101 (hardcover)

History of Orchestration. Adam Carse. Dover Publications. ISBN 0486212580 (paperback).