Orchestration: Techniques of Strings - Part II

Orchestration: Techniques of Strings - Part II
2/15/16, 12:13 AM
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A YC Tutorial
Justin P. Tokke
This page is a part of the Orchestration Masterclass. For other related articles, see
Category:Orchestration masterclass
This article is a work in progress and may have some incomplete or missing content.
Contents
1 Introduction to the Left Hand
2 Fingering System
2.1 Chromatic Fingering
3 Glissando/Portamento
4 Multiple Stops
5 Harmonics
5.1 Producing Harmonics
5.2 Harmonics Notation
5.3 Use of Harmonics in the Orchestra
6 Scodatura
6.1 Timbre
6.2 Playing Simplification
7 Extended Techniques
8 Conclusion
Introduction to the Left Hand

The left hand serves two purposes in string player: to control the pitch of the notes being played by the bow, and to
physically support the instrument as it's being played. The method of support varies depending on the instrument.
For the violin and viola, the thumb is held under the instrument neck to counterbalance the player's neck's hold on
the instrument. For the cello and bass, it holds the instrument upright on its peg on the floor.
The four fingers of the left hand determine the pitch of the strings by pressing them against the fingerboard
http://wiki.youngcomposers.com/Orchestration:_Techniques_of_Strings_-_Part_II
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shortening them from their default tuning. This is why the lowest possible pitch is the tuning of the lowest string.
(On the Violin, the bottom of the range is G3 because the G string is tuned to G3.) The fingers are numbered from 14 starting with the index finger. Piano players should not get in the habit of including the thumb as it is in piano
playing. The thumb is only used on the fingerboard in cello and bass playing where there is no need for it to support
the instrument. It is either given a number of 0 or an indication of T when writing fingerings.
Finger Numbers
[picture!]
Fingering System
The fingering system on the strings is, in principle, the same for all the string instruments. However, there are
modifications to the system for each individual instrument because of the differences in size. We will therefore only
look at the basics of the system and then deal with the finer details when discussing individual instruments. For
explanation, well use the fingering system of the violin and viola which are essentially the same.
When placed on the fingerboard, the four fingers are pressed down in the order of a diatonic scale. This will naturally
yield four notes, a tetrachord of the scale. Other tetrachords can also be produced on any of the strings at any given
time. This gives each finger up to four notes available to it because there are four strings. Thus, at any given time,
there are as many as 16 stopped notes, a tetrachord on each string, available in one setting of the fingers. The setting
of the fingers can be shifted to start on any degree of the scale as required by the music. These different placements
of the hand are called positions. When the tetrachord is one tone above the open string, we call this first position. See
the notation below:
Each open string is indicated as a whole note and bears the number 0. The notes stopped by the fingers correspond to
the fingers numbers. So the index finger (finger #1) can yield an A, E, B, and F. Notice that there are three repeated
notes controlled by the pinky (finger #4). These are often used to avoid the non-vibrato timbre of the open strings.
These overlaps are very useful for extensive scalar and expressive passages. So, essentially, in any given position,
one can have a full two octaves of stopped notes at any given time.
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If we shift the position another step away from the open strings, we get second position.
Notice now that the 3rd finger is now playing the repeated notes of the open strings, and the notes once taken by the
first finger on the upper string are now with the 4th finger on the lower string. This is third position:
Here again, more trading of notes. You may be able to see the pattern by now. In general, the higher a passages
compass, the higher the position will have to be. String players will often choose a position not only by how high it
is, but also by how easy a fingering would be in one position over another. For example, if a passage is dominated by
the first four notes of the G major scale in a middle register, it might be advantageous play the passage in third
position (on the D string) rather than first position, even though it is possible to play it on both.
Fourth and fifth positions:
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This pattern continues until about 7th position where things start to get tricky. Since the notes get higher, the
positions of the fingers must also get closer and closer, and eventually, it becomes difficult to keep pitch accurate on
extremely high notes. However, it is possible by experienced players to go as high as 13th or 14th position which is
about the total limit of the fingerboard. However, in orchestral use, 11th position should be considered the absolute
maximum and anything above 7th position should be written with caution.
Another consequence of higher positions on the Violin and Viola is the loss of the thumbs support of the neck.
Because the positions get so close to the bridge, there eventually comes a point where theres no room for the hand
to hold onto the neck and the body of the instrument gets in the way. This becomes a challenge to balance the
instrument, further complicating the high positions.
One note about position shifting should be said: While it is somewhat discouraged, position shifting, or changing
from one position to another quickly, is a fact of life for string players. The composer, should be aware, however,
that extreme changes (like from 1st position to 7th position) can wreak considerable havoc on a string sections
intonation and tax their good will and tolerance of the composer writing such ridiculous stuff. Positions, as with all
high notes, should be approached gradually, ideally by step. If this is not possible, then a moment or two of silence
(in the strings only, of course. No one else need be silent for them!) before the strings play should be written in so
they can properly position their fingers and not cause the string section to sound like a highland bagpipe band.
Chromatic Fingering
Since the fingering system is essentially diatonic, there must be alterations for chromatic notes. This brings some
alterations to the positions to the party. The first are individual changes of the fingering placement. The finger will be
placed high or low from its default diatonic position to achieve the correct chromatic alteration. The other
position changes are half positions which place the hand between two positions. These are designed to chromatically
alter all or most of the notes in a position and are very useful for highly chromatic music or keys. Half positions, in
theory, be used in combination with regular positions; however, it is usually more efficient to use normal positions
just with chromatic alterations than positions all the time. Half positions show their greatest usefulness in passages
of high complexity.
In general, the diatonic scale to which the fingering is defaulted to will vary depending on the player and piece.
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Some say its G major, others say C major, though, ultimately, the player will alter the position as needed regardless
of the key; it is in his or her head only. Naturally, then, whether the default fingering is in F# major or in G major is
quite irrelevant. (Though, one ought to feel pity for the player who learns his default fingerings in the former and
kill his teacher.) Thus, chromatic alterations may vary from player to player. Though, for the sake of a theoretical
model, we shall say that if the note is natural, then the finger defaults to its diatonic fingering. If the note is sharp,
then the finger will be placed in a high position shortening the string a step. The opposite is true of flat notes.
The finger will be placed in a low position lengthening the string by a step.
Indeed, it is for this reason (and, truthfully, the sole reason) that enharmonic equivalents sound different on the
strings. Often the difference in tuning may be a few cents only, but the playing consequences are very significant to
the player. They will also, usually, place their finger not so that the pitch fits with equal-tone temperament, but that it
fits with the diatonic just intonation, or the tuning system based off of the harmonic series and whole number
ratios. (For more on that: Just Intonation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_intonation) ) This causes slight
discrepancies between sharps and flats and, as a consequence, whether to use a sharp or a flat on the page will hold
significant weight with the player unless the composer obviously considers them equal. (Such is so in 12-tone music
where all tones are created equal, endowed by their creator, with certain unalienable rights such as) The composer
should thus be aware of this phenomenon though not overly concerned about it. A good guideline to follow: use the
correct enharmonic spelling for notes as per the tonality of the music (within reason). However, if that leaves an
abundance of E-sharps, B-sharps and double accidentals, then, by all means, write what looks easier to play! In sum:
write right, easy read.
Let us note right now that obviously this is a simplification. Only the C major scale is comprised of all naturals, so
how goes one account for the other scales? Say we have a default fingering in G major which has one sharp with F#
as the leading tone. On the D string, the 2nd finger has the F in the scale. To accommodate for the key signature of
the scale, the 2nd finger would take its default place where F# is. So if an F natural was written on the page, the 2nd
finger would be lowered to the F natural position, or a low 2. Note that the different half-step and whole-steps
between fingers will depend on the default scale. This will lead to different overlaps of semitones depending on the
scale. What scale the player chooses, however, is not a matter that the composer should concern himself or herself
with. It is a players decision which to use and which way or another it makes only a minute, at best, difference to
the sound.
Thus, to conclude our discussion of the fingering system, we can create a full fingering chart of the Violin by using
the rules we have above.
Violin Fingering Chart First Position
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Note that this is only for first position. You should also notice the large amount of overlap enharmonically. Several
fingerings have an enharmonic equivalent fingering increasing the versatility. If you start overlapping this with other
positions, you will start to fathom how incredibly complex and versatile the fingering system is. It is, without a
doubt, the most complex playing system of all the instruments.
Glissando/Portamento
The strings are in the group of a few instruments that are capable of a true glissando. String players can glissando by
sliding their finger along the string up or down the fingerboard making a continuous change of pitch. This effect is
very effective when used with taste and moderation. Aside from special effects, it is commonly used in passages
with heavy expression that have several leaps in the melodic contour. Just as human voices would glissando those
leaps, the strings can do so as well to add another layer of expressiveness to any melody.
The subtler version of glissando is called portamento. It is primary intended as a natural connection of notes by
siding between them. However, portamento is rarely marked by composers and just understood as a piece of
common-sense expressive playing. A string player will almost always add some portamento between pitches simply
with the passage marked espressivo or similar. Portamento is thus not usually used outside of legato playing unless
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there are very special circumstances or a special effect devised by the composer. Either way, explanation will
probably be needed if it is taken out of its usual context.
The pitch limits are quite wide and any glissandos on a single string will be able to be played continuously.
Glissandos that must break across strings, however, will never be completely continuous. Players will usually hide
the break as best they can.
There are myriad examples of glissando in the repertoire, most from the modern period. Some good examples are as
follows:
Mahler: Symphony No. 4, Mov. 4
[Example]
Recording: Concertgebouworkest Amsterdam; Leonard Bernstein, conductor
Here we have the cellos adding a subtle glissando between their notes. Mahler uses the gliss. to emphasize the
connection between the notes they have, which are very far apart, relatively.
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet, Suite No. 2, Montegues and Capulets
[Example]
Recording: New York Philharmonic; Dimitri Mitropoulos, conductor
Here is a similar example as the Mahler. The violas are asked to gliss between their octave notes. It gives an eirie
background to the flute solo. Note that the gliss is almost a portamento being so light. Fortunately, this works to the
melodys advantage.
[More modern gliss example]
Multiple Stops
And thus, we come to, likely, the most notorious subject in all of string writing. Take a deep breath because were
about to delve into combining different fingers and positions with different strings so that the string instruments can
play more than one note at once. Unfortunately, the system for double stops has never really been explained
properly, often just relegated to an obscure list of possible stops with the student just expected to get it. It wasnt
until Forsyth created a schema, or set of rules that were easy to understand and put to practical use for the student.
Thus, much of this section is indebted to his system of explanation in his book on orchestration.
[insert longwinded stuff]
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Examples: Stravinsky: Rite of Spring, Part 2 Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra, solo violin
Harmonics
So far, we have been discussing bowed sounds where the left hand fingers press down on the strings all the way
allowing for a full rich sound from the strings. What we have not discussed is harmonics which are produced by
allowing the string to vibrate at a certain harmonic within the harmonic series. This timbre is very soft and sweet.
Harmonics can also be played extremely high, even out of range of human hearing, thus providing a very useful
range extension for the strings.
Harmonics are produced by touching the string at certain points called nodes and then bowing the string. The left
hand only touches the string but does not press the string down to the fingerboard allowing the whole string to
vibrate. When no node is pressed, i.e. when bowing an unstopped open string, the open string produces the
fundamental of the harmonic series which is always the note that any particular string is tuned to; the G string
produces a G3 fundamental. As more different nodes are pressed, different harmonics along the series are produced
causing the sound to change even though the entire string vibrates.
The harmonic series for the G string is as follows:
The numbers indicate the number of the harmonic, or partials. For example, G4 (labeled with the number 2 above)
would be the second partial of the G string while the D6 would be the sixth partial of the G string. The thing to
remember is the harmonic series is a set of intervals that get progressively smaller as the pitches ascend. In order, we
have a P8, P5, P4, M3, m3, m3 (flat), M2; each gets smaller than the previous. Note that there is (theoretically) no
end to the harmonic series. The intervals will progressively get smaller and smaller the more partials there are. This
becomes an issue with brass instruments since their entire mechanism is based on the harmonic series. Be sure to
commit the concept of the harmonic series to memory because you will be using it often as an orchestrator.
The harmonic series can also be transposed to any fundamental; every note (or indeed frequency) has the same
harmonic series (that is, the same series of intervals) just transposed to a different fundamental. For illustration
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purposes, here is the harmonic series for the E string:
As you can see, the E string harmonic series goes beyond the range of the piano and almost out of the human range
of hearing.
There are limitations on the production of harmonics, most notably dynamics and speed. Harmonics are very
delicate and can rarely be played above a piano, maybe at mezzo-piano. They are also very hard to produce under
some instances and we will discuss specifics for each instrument in turn. Some instruments produce harmonics more
readily than others, even some strings produce harmonics better than others. Because of the tricky production of
harmonics they cant be played at great speed either. Indeed, some of the most effective uses of harmonics are slow
melodies or long notes and chords being held out to emphasize the unique harmonic timbre. Needless to say, there
are many factors in harmonics and they need to be taken on a case-by-case basis.
There are two types of harmonics: natural harmonics and artificial harmonics. Natural harmonics are produced by
touching the node of an open string allowing a harmonic to sound. Artificial harmonics are produced similarly by
touching the node of a stopped string, i.e. a new fundamental for the string in question. The combination of the two
allows for a vast array of notes to be played via harmonics giving the composer great freedom to use this great
sound.
Producing Harmonics
Harmonics follow the harmonic series by touching a node at a particular fraction of the sounding string. A simple
way to figure out the fraction is to put the number of the partial in the denominator and put a 1 in the numerator. So,
to make a harmonic to sound the second partial (the G4 on the G string), one would touch exactly 1/2 way from the
nut to the bridge; for the third partial, 1/3 from the nut to the bridge and so forth. Note too that any multiple factors
of the first interval can also be touched to play the same harmonic. So for the third partial, one could touch either 1/3
of the way from the nut or 2/3 of the way from the nut; both will produce the same pitch. However, some of these
alternate harmonics are not as reliable as others especially in a large orchestral context. Thus, we will usually only
concern ourselves with the first and second (or very rarely a third) nodes for any particular partial when discussing
harmonics.
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This system, while a bit confusing at first, is a very efficient way of figuring out what notes are possible with what
harmonics. To illustrate this concept of fractions, see this picture:
[example]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
The fundamental A string. (This case would be a bass A string since it is 110 Hz or A2)
Pressing the note at the way point creates a note an octave up.
Touching the node at the way point creates a harmonic an octave up.
Pressing the note at the 1/3 way point creates a note a fifth up.
Touching the note at the 1/3 way point creates a harmonic a fifth and octave (15th) up.
Pressing the note at the way point creates a note a fourth up.
Touching the note at the way point creates a harmonic two octaves up (15ma).
Touching the note at the 1/5 way point creates a harmonic a two octaves and a major third up (15ma + M3).
In examples 5, 7, and 8, the finger could also touch any of those points where the string vibrations cross to produce
the same note. However, they wont be as effective, especially the more vibrations there are. (It is less efficient to
make a note vibrate in 8 parts if the 5/8ths node is touched as opposed to the 1/8th node because the 5/8 must be
divided into 5 and 3 parts to sound and that will not happen as readily because of the laws of physics.) As a general
rule, the closer the finger is to the nut, the more reliable that node is as opposed to its factors.
Artificial harmonics, in principle, are the same as natural harmonics in with regard to the nodes. What is added is
another finger to change the fundamental of the string. To produce a natural harmonic, the 1st finger presses down a
new fundamental and the 4th finger touches an interval above this fundamental to produce a new harmonic. Those
unattainable by natural harmonics can now be played with this technique.
Harmonics of a third, fourth, or even a fifth, can be played, however the fourth is the only one reliable enough for
orchestral use. The third and fifth harmonics are used more commonly in solo work, but it is impractical to rely on
their tuning in an orchestral context because of their notorious unreliability. Thus, only touch-forth artificial
harmonics should be considered in the orchestra.
As with the natural fourth harmonic, the touch-forth harmonic will raise the fundamental by two octaves. These are
very valuable in orchestral writing because, coincidentally, the span of the hand is about a fourth, so the intonation
and hitting the correct node is relatively reliable compared to others. Since any fundamental can be used for artificial
harmonics, a great number of new chromatic tones can be added to the list of possible harmonics for any instrument.
These are very useful for filling in the gaps left behind by natural harmonics.
However, artificial harmonics, unlike natural harmonics, are not as versatile and will cause problems when they are
to be moved quickly. Since the entire hand must move, it is, in effect, just like changing position. Thus, the same
rules of changing position should be applied but with even more rigor. Since both fingers (nos. 1 and 4) must
correctly hit the right notes at the same time, it becomes more difficult if there are large gaps. Therefore, even when
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moving by step, it is advisable not to move too fast. 8th notes at a moderato tempo are about appropriate as an upper
limit. But, as with all techniques, there will be players on both ends of the spectrum. It is best, however, as with all
harmonics, to keep it slow and sustained. Thats when their effect is most powerful anyway.
Let us put this all together. A nifty system invented by Forsyth in his book is to create a list of all the possible
harmonics by combining the artificial with the natural harmonics of each instrument. The student should keep these
in reserve so they can reference to them again and again (and again) because they become invaluable in saving time.
We will create the single version for the violin. The student can then transpose it down a fifth for the viola and down
another octave for the cello. Double basses, as a rule, can only play natural harmonics, but the student is encouraged
to figure those out too.
Let us begin with natural harmonics alone.
Natural Harmonics
For practical use in the orchestra, we will just consider the first five natural harmonics of each string.
Next, we have the artificial harmonics. This is just a chromatic scale.
Artificial Harmonics
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Now, let us combine them onto one staff. We will also add some markings. The + symbol is for harmonics that can
be played both as natural and artificial harmonics. The o symbol is for harmonics that can only be played as natural
ones. All the others are artificial only.
Complete Possible Harmonics on the Violin
And there we have it! These sorts of charts are very useful for the student so he or she can have a quick reference but
to also understand why certain notes are possible and others arent. This little list system takes away the
performance or production matter and just focuses on the actual sound, which is all the composer really cares
about anyway.
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Harmonics Notation
Probably the most confusing part of harmonics is how to notate them. Because of the different types of harmonics, it
varies depending on context. There are several methods, some better than others. For our examples, we will show the
method of notation in the first bar, and the actual sound in the parenthesis in the second bar.
Harmonics indication alone: This is where one intends a certain passage to be played with harmonics but
does not indicate which ones or how to produce them. The only marking is a technique marking saying
harmonics or similar. Obviously, this is the most lazy method and the worst possible way of going about it.
A composer should have a respectable enough work ethic to put in the time to figure out which harmonics
should be played.
Open circle articulation: The not-much-better method is to place an open circle on top of each note intended
to be a harmonic like so:
While this is a limited form of notation, it does have a very important purpose in string writing. If you
refer back to the above, youll remember that the 2nd partial or harmonic at the node is exactly the
same pitch as the harmonic. Thus, the touched note is the same as the stopped note. There is no need,
therefore, to indicate some special notation for the sounding pitch and fundamental pitch since they are
exactly the same. The rule: when writing natural harmonics for the 2nd partial only, use the open circle
notation only.
Diamond alone: This notation is the most useful for natural harmonics. The pitches of the nodes are indicated
with diamond-shaped note head instead of the standard oval.
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Sometimes the strings are indicated if a note head that could possibly be taken on two different strings is
indicated. This is a somewhat rare occurrence, but the proper sul G, sul A etc. notation should be
written to eliminate ambiguity, but only if necessary. Youll see in the example below, the Sul G is
actually unnecessary since all notes below D4 must be played on the G string. It is shown below only
for example.
Diamond with fundamental: This is the primary notation for artificial harmonics. The artificial
fundamental is written with regular a note head while the node to be touched is written above it with a
diamond note head. If the artificial harmonic is touch-fourth, then the sounding note will always be two
octaves higher than the fundamental. It is therefore unnecessary to indicate the sounding pitch of the harmonic
as it is unchanging and implied.
Diamond with sounding: This notation is very rare and often considered excessive by string players. If
they know which harmonic they have to play, notating the sounding pitch is unnecessary as the playing
technique will sort itself out properly. Thus, it is best to avoid this notation unless using rare and obscure
harmonics. In the orchestra, though, this is very unusual.
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To sum up, use the circle notation for 2nd partial harmonics, diamond notation for all other natural harmonics, and
the diamond with fundamental notation for all artificial harmonics.
Use of Harmonics in the Orchestra

Harmonics, since introduced by Berlioz, have been used many times over in the orchestra. Thus, it would be folly to
just pick one or two examples and say that they are the primary uses and all other new uses should follow them.
Their use, like with other techniques, is heavily varied requiring a more total analysis of the orchestral repertoire to
understand their use. Thus we will quote several examples to get a small gist of how harmonics have been used in
the past, but they should not be construed as the be-all, end-all of harmonic use.
One of the most famous examples of harmonics is in the very beginning of Mahlers First Symphony. The first note
in the piece is an A played in seven octaves by the strings almost all in harmonics. Using the unique timbre of the
harmonics gives this passage an extremely eerie quality made especially so by it being the first sound heard in the
whole symphony.
Mahler: Symphony No. 1, Mov. 1, opening (Strings only shown)
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This extremely effective opening was a rare sound in 18?? when the piece was written. The harmonics, while giving
range to the A, also give color that normal vibrato-ridden stopped notes would not. The harmonics also allow the
note to be played quieter. So while almost 70 players are playing one note, the actual sound is very, very quiet,
almost pppp. Indeed, it is a strange and thrilling opening, and often unexpected by the audience, even those who
have heard the piece many times before.
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe, Suite No. 2
[example]
Debussy: La Mer or Prelude on the Afternoon of a Faun
[example]
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Stravinsky: Rite of Spring, Part I, Introduction

[example]
In this excerpt, the basses are divided into six groups and play a set of natural harmonics. This gives a sort of
foundation for all the woodwind lines to rest on top of. What is most interesting here, though, is more that the
harmonics are felt and not heard. Indeed, he uses the harmonics more as background noise more than anything.
The harmonics, when analyzed in their sounding pitches, essentially create a tone cluster that isnt easily discernable
by the ear.
Stravinsky: Rite of Spring, Part I, Ending
[example]
Stravinsky, in another stroke of harmonic genius has various artificial and natural harmonics combined to produce a
very eerie, and indeed, scary tone cluster foreshadowing the coming music.
Stravinsky: Rite of Spring, Part II, Slow Section
[example]
Here we have a different technique employed. Stravinsky uses a harmonics gliss in the violins where the players
slide their finger up the string as if playing harmonics. It thus causes the entire harmonic series to sound all in a row.
This effect is a unique sort of grace note to the flutes C major chords being held out at the top of the gliss.
Scodatura
The scodatura is a re-tuning of the strings to another tuning. Only one string could be changed or up to all of them
being changed. This technique is used for several reasons:
Timbre
Re-tuning the stings will change their timbre. Generally, tuning higher will create a brighter and more strained
sound. Tuning lower will create a mellower and rich sound. Probably the most significant example of this is from
Mahlers Symphony No. 4, where the concertmaster is required to have two violins. One is the regular tuning; the
other is tuned up a whole step. The extra-tight strings gives a very intense and strained sound giving off a timbre
easy to associate with the devils fiddle.
Mahler: Symphony No. 4, Mov. 2 opening
[example]
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Sometimes individual strings are changed to provide change their timbre. In Saint-Saenss Danse Macabre, the solo
violins E string is tuned down a half step. This causes the interval between the two top strings to be a diminished
fifth, an interval commonly associated with the Devil (the tritone, known in Latin as diabolis in musica or Devil in
Music). The sound of the open strings being in a wrong interval has a very distinctive sound made to sound like
the deformed fiddle of the devil since the tuning is, indeed, wrong. The iconic solo passage is shown here:
Saint-Saens: Danse Macabre
[example]
Note that without the change in tuning, one could not play the passage without shifting positions with the hand. It
would also not have that characteristic double-stop open string sound, most commonly associated with fiddle music.
For the effect Saint-Saens was intending, the choice of changing the tuning was a great one.
Playing Simplification
This is a rarer situation where a string will be altered to simplify certain fingerings or make other passages playable
when they couldnt be otherwise. J.S. Bach did this in his Cello Suite No. 5, for example, where the top string was
altered to simplify its fingering. A good example in orchestral music is at the very end of Stravinskys Rite of Spring.
For the last chord, he has all the cellos detune their top string from A to G#. This allows the players to play a
quadruple stop that would have been impossible without changing it. Notice the problematic chord boxed in red.
Stravinsky: Rite of Spring, ending Strings only shown.
[example]
Sometimes all of the strings are raised or lowered to make the instrument easier to play in certain keys. If this is
done, the instrument essentially becomes a transposing instrument. For example, if one raises all the strings of the
violin a half-step, one would have an Ab Eb Bb F. This default tuning would make flat keys far easier to play
in and would require a transposition of step down to compensate for the tuning up. This technique, however, is not
recommended (at all!) for orchestra sections because of the sheer amount of players required to detune their strings.
It is far more effective in solo settings anyway.
Extended Techniques
As we saw in part one, many extended techniques exist for strings. Here are some Left-hand ones:
Silent Fingering: Pressing the fingers down percussively without bowing. This is analogous to key clicks on
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the woodwinds.
Microtones: Playing in microtonal intervals in between the standard 12-tone chromatic intervals.
Re-tuning while playing: While bowing a note, the left hand adjusts the tuning of the string by turning the
tuning peg or fine tuners. This is useful for comical special effects and was used in great jest by Haydn in his
Symphony No. 60. (Measure 23 of Mov. 6).
Wide vibrato: A ridiculously wide vibrato, obviously customizable.
Harmonics Glissando: A not-so-rare technique where a glissando is played but only touching causing
harmonics to be sounded up the harmonic series. Used famously by Stravinsky in Rite of Spring, Part 2 (as
seen above).
Other effects do exist. Annoy a string player to tell you more.
Conclusion
That concludes our discussion of general string techniques. If your eyes just glazed over, do take a break but read it
again before you go on. Once you understand the fundamental techniques of the strings, you will be able to
understand the exceptions and alterations to the rules per each instrument. Each instrument is a little different having
its own idiosyncrasies and quirks. Keep in mind that the strings are the most complex instruments in the orchestra
and thus have the most complex technique. So if you go through this section, its all downhill from here!
Next tutorial: Violin
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Orchestration: Techniques of Strings - Part II

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Orchestration: Techniques of Strings - Part II

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What are the main techniques of the left hand in string playing?

What are the main techniques of the left hand in string playing?

How does the fingering system work on string instruments?

How does the fingering system work on string instruments?

Orchestration: Techniques of Strings - Part II

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