Violin
Viola
Cello
Double Bass
Plucked Strings
Tuning
Bowing Techniques
Sound Production |
BOWING TECHNIQUES
The strings are capable of achieving a variety of sounds, colours and effects with the player's bowing and finger technique.
Below are some important bow markings that come into use in a score:
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This indicates a downbow, which means to draw the bow first from its heel to its tip across the strings.
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This indicates an upbow, which means to draw the bow first from its tip to its heel across the strings.
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This is called a slur, which indicate that all the notes encased with the slur are to be played in one bow stroke. |
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TECHNIQUES
Pizzicato (pizz.) This means to pluck the strings with the fingers.
Arco This usually comes after a passage of pizzicato, to indicate that the bow is now to be used.
Col legno This means to use the wood of the bow by tapping it on the strings, producing a light, far away sound.
Saltando This indicates that the player is to bounce his bow on the strings, creating the effect of a skippy and light staccato.
Spiccato This is like saltando, except that the player is to use more force, to make the staccato sounds more brisk and energetic.
Sul Ponticello This means "on the bridge", whereby the player is to bow the strings on or (Sul Pont) near the wooden piece at the bottom end of the instrument. It can sound very grating and harsh when played loudly. On the other hand, it can also produce an eerie and scratchy sound when played softly.
Sul Tasto This means to bow near the fingerboard. In effect, it produces a pale and colourless sound.
Tremolo This indicates that the bow is to be quivered rapidly across the strings, which will produce a trembling, shivery sound.
Trill This effect is obtained by the rapid alternation of two notes, when the player moves his fingers rapidly by alternating one stopped note with the other.
Sautille A short bow-stroke played with the middle of the bow so that is bounces slightly off the string.
Con sordino This indicates that the mute is to be used. The mute is a small wooden clip placed on the bridge. Using the mute dampens the brightness of the tone and reduces its volume.
Senza sordino This indicates that the mute is to be removed at this point (after a passage where the mute is used).
Glissando This means to slide the fingers along the string rapidly. (Gliss)
Portamento This is like glissando, but portamento usually occurs between 2 notes. This achieves the effect of one combining extreme legato with a sliding sound.
Sul G This means to play on the G string. (Numbers are sometimes used instead of letters. For example, Sul G is also written as Sul IV)
Harmonics Marked as a small circle or a "diamond" shape over the note, it indicates that the note is to be played an octave higher, by placing the finger lightly over the string, instead of pressing down fully onto the fingerboard. Harmonics sounds very thin and delicate.
Vibrato Usually not indicated in the score, this is used according to the player's own discretion. It refers to the string player shaking his left hand while pressing onto the string. This produces a richer, warmer and more expressive tone.
Double This means that 2 strings are to be played simultaneously.
Triple This means that 3 strings are to be played in a quick arpeggio motion stopping (2 strings can only be bowed together at a time) to form a chord.
Quadruple This means that 4 strings are to be played in a quick arpeggio stopping motion, forming a chord. |
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