Question for string players (violins, violas, cellos.. etc)

[JazzyManda]

i just have one question regarding written music for strings:

lets say you're a violin or viola player.. does your music only have you play one note at a time, or does the music sometimes call for you to play multiple notes at a time?

Amanda

[zurielshimon]

Though I don't personally play strings, I do know there is a technique called "double-stopping" that's required sometimes to play a note on two adjacent strings.  Fiddlers do it all the time, but I don't know how common it is in classical-type violin playing.

[JazzyManda]

Though I don't personally play strings, I do know there is a technique called "double-stopping" that's required sometimes to play a note on two adjacent strings.  Fiddlers do it all the time, but I don't know how common it is in classical-type violin playing.

yeah, i know it can be done, but i don't know how often it appears in classical music... thanx for the info though

Amanda

[Will]

Speaking as a violinist of sorts...

Yeah... they're called stops. Double stops are rather easy and they aren't too uncommon. Harder music has triple stops occasionally. Some really old and not often played music calls for quadruple stops. To play a quadruple stop, you have to use an old style bow. The bow has to curve outward, unlike modern bows that curve inward. Most people just play it as an arpeggio, however.

Any other questions?

[JazzyManda]

Speaking as a violinist of sorts...

Yeah... they're called stops. Double stops are rather easy and they aren't too uncommon. Harder music has triple stops occasionally. Some really old and not often played music calls for quadruple stops. To play a quadruple stop, you have to use an old style bow. The bow has to curve outward, unlike modern bows that curve inward. Most people just play it as an arpeggio, however.

Any other questions?

hm, yes i do

lets say i wanted to have my first violinist play CEG as a whole note (playing that triad at one time) would that be totally outrageous to ask? or should i split the notes between violins?

[Scotty]

Speaking as a violinist of sorts...

Yeah... they're called stops. Double stops are rather easy and they aren't too uncommon. Harder music has triple stops occasionally. Some really old and not often played music calls for quadruple stops. To play a quadruple stop, you have to use an old style bow. The bow has to curve outward, unlike modern bows that curve inward. Most people just play it as an arpeggio, however.

Any other questions?

hm, yes i do

lets say i wanted to have my first violinist play CEG as a whole note (playing that triad at one time) would that be totally outrageous to ask? or should i split the notes between violins?

depending on the skill of the violinist.

if they are really good sure go for the whole chord.

or if they are not as confident use a double stop of CG.

But I dont play violin and I dunno how far you would stretch to get the a whole chord.

U could always get two violinists one to play C and the other to play G lol.
If you have two

[Will]

Break it up if you can. Even if your violinist can pull off a triple stop, it's way too hard and it probably won't sound like you want it to. Double stops are significantly easier.

[JazzyManda]

yeah, i'm doing a double stop with the root and the 5th for the first violin part, and having the second violin cover the third.. they're justing holding out chords so... shouldn't be too bad

Amanda