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Two or more instruments playing the same melody simultaneously, either at unison or at the octave.
Doubling strengthens a melody and changes its color. Unison doubling blends timbres (flute + violin = new color). Octave doubling adds brilliance and weight. Common doublings: flute + violin (bright), oboe + clarinet (warm), horn + cello (noble). Avoid doubling instruments of equal weight — one will fight the other.
Tchaikovsky doubles the famous Romeo and Juliet love theme with flute and English horn at the octave, creating a rich, warm color.
Doubling is one of 228 terms in the Gradus musical dictionary, where every definition is written around how composers actually use the word.
Browse the full dictionary →