Bowed String Instruments

1
Bowed String Instruments

• The String Choir - Chordophones

2
The Violin Family

• The violin, viola, cello, and double bass, were
  developed to their current state by 1700.
• They have the greatest number of properties in
  common.

3
Advantages

• Seven octaves between double bass and violin
• Homogeneous tone color
• Wide dynamic range
• Rich tone color
• Versatility in producing different sounds
• Versatility in performing fast, slow, skips,
  effects
• Ability to sound continuously without breathing

4
Construction

• The instruments are similar in construction and
  consist of a nut, fingerboard, bridge, etc. (See
  pg. 8.)
• The sound is produced by drawing a rosined bow
  across the strings, the vibration is transmitted
  through the bridge and sound post to the body,
  which acts as an amplifier (resonator) for the
  sound.

5
Tuning

• The violin, viola, and cello are tuned in 5ths.
• The 4-string double bass is tuned in 4ths and
  sounds an octave lower than notated.
• Some double basses have a mechanical extension to
  play low C, some have 5 strings.

6
Tuning
7
Fingering

• Different pitches are achieved by stopping
  (pressing) the string using the left hand fingers
  which changes the length of the string.
• As pitches move up the scale the hand changes
  positions. (See pg. 10.)
• Note that the distance between half-steps on the
  violin is much smaller than the distance between
  half-steps on the double bass.

8
Multiple Stops

• When two or more pitches are played on adjacent
  strings they are called double, triple, or
  quadruple stops.
• Double stops can be sounded simultaneously, but
  because of the arch of the bridge, triple and
  quadruple stops are usually arpeggiated.
• The pitches on the multiple stop MUST be on
  adjacent strings. (See pg. 11.)

9
Divided Strings

• Instead of using multiple stops, several pitches
  may be divided amongst the players in a single
  section.
• This is usually indicated with the marking divisi
  or div.
• To return to all players playing the same note
  the indication unisoni or unis. is used.

10
Divided Strings

• If more than two different pitches are to be
  divided amongst a section, it should be marked
  div. a 3, div. a 4, etc.
• The indication non div. is used to avoid
  confusion if the entire section is to play a
  chord as a multiple stop.

11
Vibrato

• String players use vibrato unless the music
  indicates to the contrary.
• A special effect is achieved by sustaining a
  pitch without vibrato indicated by the marking
  senza vib.
• For a very intense sound, the player may be asked
  to play a pitch molto vib.

12
Glissando/Portamento

• Glissando is indicated by a line connecting two
  noteheads with or without the word glissando
  above the line.
• Portamento glissando light.
• A fake glissando is accomplished by sliding
  until an open string is reached and then
  continuing the glissando on that string.
• A fingered or written out glissando is usually
  reserved for solo literature.

13
Parts of the Bow

• A long tapering bow stick curved slightly inward
• A tip protected by a metal or ivory tip
• Hairs -- usually horsehair
• A metal ferrule at the frog holds the hairs
• A screw to tighten the hairs
• See pg. 17

14
Bowing

• The bow is normally drawn across the string
  halfway between the bridge and fingerboard.
• A passage with no slurs, referred to as non
  legato, is performed with a change of bow
  direction for each pitch.
• When a passage is slurred, or legato, all the
  notes within the slur are performed in one bow
  stroke.

15
General Bowing Observations

• An up-bow is the most natural way to perform an
  anacrusis.
• Metrically accented beats tend to be performed
  with a down-bow.
• Crescendos are usually performed with an up-bow.
• Decrescendos are usually performed with a
  down-bow.
• See pgs. 18-20.

16
Special On-the-string Bowings

• DétachéThe basic non legato bowing. Clearly
  articulates each pitch without accenting any
  single pitch.
• Punta darco or à la pointe or an der Spitze
  indicates to use the tip.

17
Special On-the-string Bowings

• Louré or PortatoThe notes are slightly separated
  but within one bow

18
Special On-the-string Bowings

• StaccatoDetached notes that may be played with
  separate bows or may be slurred and played with
  one bow.

19
Special On-the-string Bowings

• Martelé or MarcatoA fast well-articulated,
  heavy, separate stroke. It is similar to a
  sforzando.

20
Special On-the-string Bowings

• SpiccatoThe bow is lightly bounced off the
  string articulating the pitch in a light staccato
  manner.

21
Special On-the-string Bowings

• Jeté or RicochetThe upper third of the bow is
  thrown on the string so that it will bounce,
  producing two to six (or more) rapid pitches.

22
Special On-the-string Bowings

• ArpeggiandoA type of spiccato used to play an
  arpeggio over all four strings.

23
Coloristic Effects

• Trills
• TremolosThese are either a fast up and down
  motion with the bow or an interval of a second or
  more, quickly repeated. It is similar to a trill.

24
Coloristic Effects

• Sul tasto or Sur la touche or Am GriffbrettThe
  performer plays with the bow over the
  fingerboard, creating a soft, hazy, flutelike
  tone.

25
Coloristic Effects

• Sul ponticello or Au chevalet or Am StegThe
  performer plays on or very near the bridge. This
  only produces the upper partials of a pitch
  giving the tone an eerie, glassy timbre.

26
Coloristic Effects

• Col legno or Avec le bois or Mit HolzThe bow is
  turned over and the wood is used.
• Col legno battutoThe strings are struck with the
  bow.

27
Coloristic Effects

• PizzicatoThe string is plucked with the finger.
  
• Left-Hand Pizzicato is indicated by a plus sign
  above the note and is more common in solo
  literature
• Snap PizzicatoThe string is plucked so that it
  snaps against the fingerboard.

28
Coloristic Effects

• Con sordino or Avec sourdine or Mit DämpferA
  small plastic wooden or metal object (a mute) is
  placed on the bridge, absorbing vibrations,
  producing a soft mellow tone.
• Senza sordino or Sans sourdine or Ohne
  DämpferRemove the mute.