THE ORCHESTRA: A USER'S MANUALThis
is the original 2005 site.
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| Introduction | Orchestration | Orchestration | Resources | Historical | Andrew Hugill |
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| Philharmonia |
VIOLA
Section: Strings
Transposing?
No
Construction
Range
Bowing
Plucking
Left Hand
Mute/Harmonics
Chords
Extended
Player's
Tips and Tricks
Chords
Obviously certain chords are easier than others. Check fingerings, and use open strings wherever possible. Remember that a viola section will play chords divisi unless otherwise instructed.
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NAME
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DESCRIPTION
|
NOTATION
|
LISTEN/VIEW
|
COMMENTS
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|
double
stop
|
two
strings sounded together
|
conventional
chord notation
|
double stops |
If
the double stop is difficult (the left hand span is awkward) a section
will play this divisi (notes shared out between instruments).
Will work at any dynamic.
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|
triple
stop
|
three
strings sounded together
|
conventional
chord notation
|
 about
triple stops |
A
section will normally play a triple stop divisi (i.e. notes
shared out between instruments). On a solo instrument, triple stops
only work at loud dynamics, otherwise they would be arpeggiated.
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|
quadruple
stop
|
four
strings sounded, normally as an arpeggiation or broken chord
|
conventional
chord notation, but also:
 A typical arpeggiation |
about quadruple stops |
Four-note
chords are no problem to a section if played divisi, but
if non divisi then great care must be taken with left hand
positions.
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