14a-What is Good String Writing?

7/23/2019 14a-What is Good String Writing?

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WHAT IS GOOD STRINGWRITING?

Norman Ludwin14a



! Learning the power range of the instrument1. This is the range where the instrument has the most sound,

projection, and characteristic tone

1. The top string for all the strings has the most power

2.

The low string has the most color and weight! Examples of good ideas:

" Writing on the E string for the violin so it has maximum power andprojection

" Avoid the viola’s highest register where they don’t play often andsound thin

" Giving the cello a solo in its higher range, on their top A string

" Writing for the bass in its middle range, and using its lowest notesjudiciously

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! The string family (violin, viola, cello, and double bass), are the backbone of thesymphony orchestra. They were the first section to be fully utilized bycomposers, and one could even make the claim that they are the mostindispensable family in our modern orchestra. The main reasons for this are asfollows:

1) The string family is the largest section with by far the most players. Because they

share parts, they are often called upon to play virtually non-stop, from the firstnote to the last.

2) Their range covers seven octaves.

3) They possess amazing dynamic variety, with the ability to go quickly from thesoftest pppp to a thunderous ffff .

4) Since all four instruments produce sound in the same way they blend together

better than any other family.5) Their rich, warm tone enables them to produce the expressive, legato passages

that are so vital to musical expression.

6) Their versatility in producing a variety of sounds, such as pizzicato, ponticello,muted, and percussive sounds.

! This tutorial attempts to explain, in detail what elements make up effective string

writing.

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! No awkward leaps (larger than a tenth)

! No continual playing, like a computer

! No wide register shifts, like you see in piano music

! Use sharp keys (when possible), i.e. G, D, A and E

(and C)

! Intelligent use of enharmonic writing

! Playable double stops, particularly those with an

open string

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! Sharing material amongst the players

!

Each part interesting and complete on its own

! 1st and 2nd violins not continually doubling each other

! Viola as an independent voice

! Lyrical writing for the cello

!

Bass part not simplified beyond any interest

! Interesting doublings

!

1st violin-viola

! 2nd violin -cello

! Viola-double bass

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! Use of slurs to connect phrases

! No similar pitches slurred

! Not too many notes under slurs

! Legato passages slurred

! Forte and agitated passages separate

! Not slurring over the barline

! Consistent markings for each part and for all the

players

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! All down bows-for very loud passages

! Spiccato-bow bouncing off the string-done naturally

by the player

! Marcato-every note clearly articulated

! Varying legato with separate notes

! Playing at the tip for soft, delicate passages

! Appropriate use of the down and up bowing

indications

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! Pizzicato-Using the fingers of the left hand

!

Harmonics (natural and artificial)-The overtones of thestrings

! Sordinos-Mutes

!

Ponticellos-Bowing close to, or on top of the bridge

!

Sul tasto-Bowing over the fingerboard

! Bartok pizz-Pizzicato where the strings snaps on thefingerboard

!

Col legno-Hitting the string with the wood of the bow

!

Molto vibrato-Pronounced vibrato

! Senza vibrato-No vibrato

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! Remember: strings are loved for their legato,

romantic, espressivo sound, therefore we all must

strive to write for them with this in mind

! Examine works by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Brahms and

other Romantic composers and examine their

beautiful string writing

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! Wide use of dynamics

! Varied use of articulations

! Tempo changes to reflect the music’s changing

moods! Modulations to relieve the monotony of one key

center

! Interesting melodies

! Creative orchestrations

! Effective development of material

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! Listen to the masterpieces of orchestral music, and pickpassages that impress and touch you

! Get those scores and note how the composers wrotethose passages

! Write the passages you particularly like in a notebookwith your comments about how they sounded andpossibilities for later use

! Use this notebook to store and develop techniques that

you gradually incorporate into your own writing! Keep striving to learn more and to make yourself a

better, more complete musician and composer

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14a-What is Good String Writing?