Chapter 6: Techniques

Question 0

What is the most important goal of every string player?

Answer 0

Acceptable intonation is a prime objective of every instrumentalist and vocalist. It surpasses every other musical goal in importance. Without acceptable intonation all other aspects of performance: rhythm, tone, expression—are wasted.

Question 1

List several sources for the tuning note ‘A’.

Answer 1

Oboe

Electronic source

Tuning bar

Tuner

Piano, organ, keyboard

Tuning fork

Pitchpipe

Four tubes of pitches

Question 2

List the steps in tuning strings.

Answer 2

The As are tuned first on the violin, viola and cello; then the other strings are tuned to the A.

Then top two strings are tuned first.

Then the middle two strings are tuned.

Then the lower to strings are tuned.

In a heterogeneous string class the As and Gs are tuned to first follow by the Gs, followed by the Es, followed by the Cs for the viola and cello.

Question 3

Describe three finger placement aids for young beginners.

Answer 3

Pieces of adhesive tape are placed on the fingerboard perpendicular to the strings to mark places where the fingers are placed.

A piece of string or thread is stretched across the fingerboard and fastened with tape. This provides an elevated strip for the fingers to feel.

Finger positions are marked on the fingerboard with chalk, crayon or pencil.

Question 4

List three capabilities made possible by shifting positions.

Answer 4

Shifting positions extend the range of the instrument.

Shifting positions extends the playing range on each string.

Shifting positions facilitates the playing of certain combinations or sequences that would otherwise be awkward.

Shifting positions makes portamento possible.

There are numerous positions on a string instrument including half position to seventh, eighth and ninth position.

Question 5

Explain Sulla corda

Answer 5

Sulla corda asks a player to play all of the notes on a particular string.

Sulla Corda is used so that there is not a change in tone and timbre in a musical line.

sull———————— D

Question 6

Explain portamento

Answer 6

Portamento involves a shift for the purpose of producing a slide from one note to another note.

Question 7

Explain double stop

Answer 7

Double stop denotes the technique of playing or bowing strings simultaneously.

Only violins, violas and cellos can play a double stop.

Question 8

Explained divisi

Answer 8

Divisi takes place when I composer writes two notes in one part with the expectation that the outside player will play the top note and the inside player will play the bottom note.

Question 9

Explain pizzicato

Answer 9

Pizzicato is the process of producing a tone on a string instrument by plucking string with the right-hand.

Question 10

What are the two methods of producing harmonics?

Answer 10

Natural harmonics-a natural harmonic is a tone produced by placing the finger lightly on a string at one of the strings Napfle divisions or nodal point. This causes the string to vibrate in segments instead of as a whole.

Artificial harmonics are produced by stopping the string with the finger and then touching the string lightly at the interval of a third, fourth or fifth above the stopping point. Harmonics of the shortened string are produced.

Question 11

Where is the term Arco used?

Answer 11

Arco means to use the bow to produce the sound on the string instrument after a player has been plucking the strings with their fingers.

Question 12

Explain fingered Tremelo

Answer 12

The fingered tremolo is where two or more notes are played alternatively in rapid succession.

The fingered tremolo is played with the fingers of the left hand versus the bow.

Question 13

List five factors pertaining to bow use which governs tone production on a string instrument.

Answer 13

Bow direction

Amount of bow used

Speed of bow

Point of contact on the strings

Amount of pressure or weight

Amount of hair in contact with the string

Question 14

Explain flautando

Answer 14

Flautato tell or flautando is playing with the bow over the fingerboard which produces a breathy flute like quality.

Question 15

Discuss several types of bowing styles.

Answer 15

Detache-separate bowl for each note.

Slur-two were more notes played in one bow.

Portamento slur- A slur in which each note gets a slight articulation.

Staccato-a short quick note played with the bow on the string.

Marcato-a heavy staccato stroke usually played in the middle or upper half of the bow. Limited speed.

Spicato-a stroke in which the bow bounces onto and off the string.

Sautille- The natural spring of the bow is utilized,. Middle of the bow or near the middle. Sautille Is the first cousin to spicato.

Question 16

When is the term divisi used in reference to playing chords?

Answer 16

When chords appear in the orchestra music of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven and other composers of that period, they are usually played divisi. That is, the notes of the chord are divided between two players on the stand. In a three no chord, the outside player takes the upper two notes, the inside player takes the lower two notes.

Question 17

Explain the following symbols:
[. 
 ^.  
W.B.
M
Pt.
L. H.

Answer 17

[ Down Bow

V. Up Bow

W.B. Whole Bow

M. Middle of Bow

Pt. Point or tip of bow

L.H. Lower half of bow

Question 18

Define con legno

Answer 18

col legno is playing the strings with the back of the stick of the bow.

Question 19

Define detache

Answer 19

Detache means using a separate bow or one note per bow alternating up-and-down.

Question 20

Define Marcato

Answer 20

Marcato is a heavy staccato stroke usually played in the middle or upper half of the bow.

Question 21

Define tremolo

Answer 21

Tremolo the rapid reiteration of a single note, between two notes or chords in alternation.

Question 22

Define ponticello

Answer 22

Sull Ponticello to cello indicates that the boys to be drawn deliberately close to the bridge. The effect produced is an shrill, IC quality.