114 !!Chapter 6
String instruments are nontransposing instruments that sound where
they are written, with the exception of the double bass, which sounds one
octave below where notated. There is an extensive repertoire for violins
and celli in all genres and a limited repertoire for violas and double basses.
Double, triple, and quadruple stops (chords), which are notated with
brackets around them, can be played on all the stringed instruments.
Arrangers must be familiar with the time it takes performers to move from
one position to another. Be certain that two notes are not on the same
string, or the chord can obviously not be played. Double stops can be sus-
tained, but triple and quadruple stops cannot be sustained since it is
impossible for the bow to reach all the strings simultaneously; the stops
are either plucked or bowed. If you have any doubts about what can be
played, consult a string player.
Learn the various bowing techniques and technical limitations of the
stringed instruments, or a composer/arranger’s ability to write for strings
will be greatly limited. It is impossible to achieve the variety of sounds
that are available with a live string section on synthesizers or samplers
because of the bowing techniques and ‘‘feel’’ that can be achieved only by
live musicians. Most samplers offer a variety of bowings, but they are time
consuming to program and will not sound as ‘‘real’’ as live performers. (If
the strings are mixed at a low level, synthesized and sampled strings can
sound remarkably realistic.)
Bowing techniques are an integral part of the sound of the string sec-
tion. The main techniques follow.
Arco—To play with a bow; for example, after a pizzicato passage
(plucked), the score is marked arco, meaning that the player resumes play-
ing with a bow.
Pizzicato—To pluck the strings; the effect is extensively used and is a
sound unique to strings.
Up-bow—the player moves the bow upward, as opposed todown-
bow, where the player moves the bow down. Each technique creates a dif-
ferent sound.
Aslurmarking is a line (half moon) that connects a series of notes and
indicates that the player should play those notes with one stroke of the
bow. This creates a smooth-sounding passage. If there are no slurs indi-
cated, the player alternates between up-bow and down-bow movements.
Astaccatomarking, which looks like a period symbol placed above
or below the notes, indicates alternating up and down bows performed
quickly.
Spiccatohas the same symbol as staccato, but the bow bounces on the
strings. The wordspiccatoshould be indicated on the score to differentiate
it from thestaccatobowing technique.
Jete ́—The bow ‘‘hits’’ the strings, which causes a bouncing effect.
There is a down-bow marking and a slur marking, which indicate how
many notes are hit.