Understanding Orchestration

[yonyz]

Hi,

Even though I know nothing about instrumentation, I decided to read the Principles of Orchestration On-line guide
at Northernsounds.com

Sometimes there are terms that I do not understand.
It would be great if you would help me understand them.

So, let's start with the first one:

"Whenever a group of strings is written for more than five parts-without taking double notes or chords into consideration-these parts may be increased by dividing each one into two, three and four sections, or even more (divisi)."

What does "five parts" mean in terms of music and/or orchestration?
If you can demonstrate this with actual music, that would be great. But just explaining it would be great too.

Thanks in advance.

[buckshead]

Orchestral strings are generally written for 5 parts. These are Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Double Bass. When played together you can obviously get harmony with 5 parts. Sometimes however you may wish to play, for example, a six part chord. Because the first violins consist of a group of players, it is possible to divide the group into two, each part of the group playing either the upper or lower notes of the divided score.

Its therefore possible, though unlikely, to get 10 parts in the strings.

The same is done for any other instrument where more than one player is present in an orchestra.

Try asking at northernsounds. There are some very learned people there who are always willing to help.

[yonyz]

So Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello and Double Bass are all groups, or only Violin 1?

I can't register at NorthernSounds, because I have a Gmail account.

[BertKoor]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_section

[llatham]

So Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello and Double Bass are all groups, or only Violin 1?

I can't register at NorthernSounds, because I have a Gmail account.

Historically, Strings have been divided into four groups, called "sections":

Violin I
Violin II
Viola
'Cello

Basses, up until mid Beethoven, basically just doubled the Celli an octave lower (in fact, they didn't have their own staff in the score!)

Generally speaking, the four "parts" or "voices" are the same as we think of vocal ranges: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass.

In the Wind Choir, we get:
Flute = Soprano
Oboe = Alto
Clarinet = Tenor
Bassoon = Bass

Now, it's less about the actual range, then the positioning from high to low.

So with strings:

Violin I is typically given the Soprano line (part)
Violin II is typically given the Alto line
Viola is typically given the Tenor line (interestingly though, the French name for Viola is "Alto" - but the word Alto actually means "high" as in "altitude"!!!).
Cello typically gets the Bass line

And originally, Double Bass did just that - double the bass line at an octave lower.

Later, the Double Bass gets its own line.

So eventually, you get "5" parts.

However, music, in general is rarely written in more than 4 "real" parts (real means individual lines, not doublings). In fact, even though in study 4-part harmony is crammed down our throats, 3 part harmony is actually quite, if not more common historically. There are certainly instances of 1 part, 2 part, 5 part, and more lines.

So to answer your question more specifically, Violin I and Violin II are separate sections within the "String Choir" as it's called.

You may have 16 first violins, and 12 seconds, and the firsts will all get the same exact piece of music - the soprano line/part, and the seconds will all get the exact same piece of music - the alto line/part.

So there were originally 4 "members" of the String Choir (though be careful here, some people use the word "section" for this larger group as well), and later, as the bass became separate, 5 members.

As the previous poster mentioned, each section may play "Divisi" meaning the first violins will play 2 notes - every other member will play the top note, and the others will play the bottom note - usually it's divided "by stand" - there are two players per stand.

Some modern composers have "absorbed" the Violin II section making String Quartets or Orchestral works that go:
Violin = Soprano
Viola = Alto
'Cello = Tenor
D.B. = Bass

it makes logical sense to do it that way, but historically, the Violin II section has always been treated as it's own "part" (though of course there are instances where they play in unison with the firsts).

HTH,
Steve

[buckshead]

Steve, that was all very succinct and well explained. I hope that its all understood now

[Marilyn Davis]

Thank You llatham for well explanation, now i am very clear.

[Marilyn Davis]

Thank You for well explanation, now i am very clear.