Is there a way to change instrumentation of a section?
I'm asking this because in hindsight, I will probably have to change the instrumentation in my orchestration of the Pathetique Sonata. I know some editions will go as far as eliminating the staff from the conductor's score when that instrument isn't playing, even if it is like a 15 measure rest within a movement(I have seen this a lot in Mozart piano concertos for instance, not so much in symphonies). But I don't think I could do that in Musescore. So here is my instrumentation for the first movement of the Pathetique Sonata that I am orchestrating from top to bottom:
Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
Contrabassoon
Horn in F
C Trumpet
Alto Trombone
Tenor Trombone
Bass Trombone
Tuba
Tympani
Violins
Violins
Violas
Cellos
Contrabasses
That is basically a standard large orchestra. However, as I go from the dramatic first movement that has a lot of octaves to the second movement(where I would put a section break in between the 2 movements, I can see taking away these instruments:
Piccolo
Bass Clarinet
Contrabassoon
Tuba
The tuba would probably make the graceful second movement sound too heavy and the bass line isn't so extensive here that I need multiple bass instruments per orchestra section. With the piccolo, I would have a problem of it overpowering the orchestra with its piercing quality, so again, I can see taking it away, leaving the flute as the highest pitched instrument with its mellow quality.
With the third movement and its dramatic character and heavy bass lines(a lot like the first movement) I can see bringing back these instruments:
Piccolo
Contrabassoon
Tuba
But the Bass Clarinet is only for the first movement with the extensive bass chords and octave scales.
Is there a way that I can change the instrumentation of a section without getting rid of the entire staff(I would hate to change the instrumentation of the second movement only to notice that the Tuba, Piccolo, Contrabassoon, and Bass Clarinet parts of the first movement are gone)?
Comments
In one MuseScore file, there is no way to delete instruments in certain sections (movements) or prevent them from showing up without using one of the hide when empty methods. See https://musescore.org/en/handbook/3/staff-part-properties#common-staff-… especially the Hide when empty options. Also see https://musescore.org/en/handbook/3/layout-and-formatting#style, especially Hide when empty. These two options actually work together in version 3, but won't do exactly what you want.
The only way I know to do this is to make a file for each movement, then you can do as you please with instruments.