| For decades, from Motown to Funk, through Disco, | | | | section has been composed on a keyboard |
| Indie Rock or music by singer / songwriters, one of | | | | instrument, it can sound somehow fixed and mainly |
| the elements which has made some tracks | | | | chordal in nature, without the moving parts that |
| successful is the addition of stringed instruments to | | | | strings naturally have. |
| the mix. When used skilfully, this medium can lift a | | | | Strings have been used in almost every genre of |
| piece of music, giving it a unique character and sound, | | | | music, from jazz through to heavy metal, rap and of |
| lending power and emotion to a song. Strings are also | | | | course classical music. Genres such as bluegrass, |
| used to provide the 'hook' or counter melody which | | | | Cajun and folk often spotlight a solo fiddle (the name |
| adds a new dimension and variety to the music. | | | | 'fiddle' is interchangeable with violin), with an idiomatic |
| Many chart hits have a background 'wash' of strings, | | | | style based on sliding up to notes, the use of rapid |
| subtly used without being particularly prominent - and | | | | double stopping (where more than one note is |
| based on simple chords. There are also countless | | | | simultaneously played) and subtle trills with quick |
| examples where sampled string sounds have been | | | | snatched notes. Sometimes single strings - one of |
| used to great effect - from the atmospheric | | | | each instrument as in a standard string quartet - can |
| Mellotrone of the 1960's to more hi tech solutions | | | | be an option to bring out the beautiful solo sound of |
| used in modern day music. Even synthesised strings - | | | | each player. This can be used for more intimate |
| with no pretence at being the real thing have also | | | | styles of song, such as one with an acoustic guitar |
| distinguished many pop and rock classics. | | | | and voice. |
| Despite huge leaps forward in the technology of | | | | Here, the use of solo instruments is often more |
| sampled strings, many producers and artists still | | | | appropriate than a large string orchestra, as it brings |
| prefer to use the 'real thing' - professional studio | | | | a soulfulness and adds a more contemplative mood. |
| musicians drawing on their expertise to create a rich | | | | For larger style music, a string arranger might write a |
| and authentic addition to a track. By using live | | | | big orchestral type sound - such as for a rock ballad |
| players, it's possible to be far more versatile and | | | | or film soundtrack. If budget is no option, a section |
| include the articulations or 'up and down bowing' | | | | of thirty to forty session musicians may well be used. |
| which only sound authentic on a real instrument. | | | | In other cases, often a high quality sampled string |
| The first thing to consider is that the family of | | | | library can give an excellent rendition of strings - |
| stringed instruments which forms a standard string | | | | though lacking the human touch, with many |
| ensemble (violins, violas, cellos and double bass) all | | | | producers hiring in a handful of professional musicians |
| have a lot in common but work in different ways to | | | | to layer a few real takes on top to add the |
| the guitar or keyboard. They are tuned in 5ths - | | | | articulations and feel which make it sound more |
| meaning that you count up 5 notes including the note | | | | convincing. Where strings are only part of a mix with |
| itself to arrive at the next string. The violin shares it's | | | | other instruments, this can be a more economical |
| bottom three strings with the viola, whereas the cello | | | | solution than hiring a full orchestra. |
| is exactly an octave below the viola. It is also | | | | With modern studio technology, an increasingly |
| important to know the range of each instrument. | | | | popular method for those financing their own |
| Approximately three and a half octaves will sound | | | | projects is to use a few musicians who can |
| comfortable as a section, and it's important to | | | | multi-track several overdubs to create a larger sound. |
| understand how the sound quality is affected by the | | | | However, it's highly advisable that players who are |
| pitch of notes. High notes will sound thinner and more | | | | asked to do this are extremely accurate |
| penetrating, whereas the lower register can sound | | | | professionals, to ensure that the end result isn't |
| thicker or richer. As an example, much disco music | | | | untidy - they will also need to vary the quality of |
| from the 1970's makes use of the higher register of | | | | sound and bowing in order to add character, and |
| the violins in particular. | | | | imitate a variety of different players within the |
| The next consideration is the skilful and sometimes | | | | section. With this approach, players must have |
| tricky business of spacing chords for a string section. | | | | perfect tuning and an excellent range of sound to |
| This is where a lot of string arrangements can fall | | | | create a realistic end result. |
| down - get it wrong and the effect can sound | | | | The professional string arranger will get a feel for |
| empty or thin. Violins are split into two sections - the | | | | when the strings should be dominant in a track and |
| 'first and second violins' - as found in a symphony | | | | when they should recede into a more supportive, |
| orchestra. The first violins can often be in unison or | | | | background sound. The arranger should know when |
| an octave higher than the melody, with the second | | | | the texture should be sparse as well as identifying |
| violins playing a supportive counter melody. | | | | moments where the strings can come alive and be |
| Conversely, the first violins could be playing the | | | | dense or intricate. Rather than adding just basic |
| counter melody with the three other parts filling in | | | | chords, the strings can be used to provide the hook |
| the chords. Note: in a chord, each instrument can | | | | or counter melody - and in some instances, this can |
| take one or two notes depending on the fullness or | | | | completely transform a piece of music, making it |
| effect required. Even in these chords, the string | | | | instantly memorable. |
| arranger needs to make sure the cello part doesn't | | | | Although many bands and artists have a grasp of |
| leap around too much - although the bass guitar may | | | | music theory and orchestration, so do undertake |
| still supply the bass line, the cello part will still be very | | | | their own string arrangements, it is important to |
| effective in moving in step or as a melodic line. | | | | remember that a specialised string arranger will have |
| Another important aspect is understanding the | | | | years of training and may get better results. After all, |
| articulations required to bring out the best in stringed | | | | if a group are going to the expense of hiring in a real |
| instruments. Think of it as being monochrome versus | | | | string section, they'll want to make sure they get the |
| colour. Without slurs, staccato, spiccato and pizzicato | | | | full potential from the players. Music needs to be |
| (all standard effects that stringed instruments | | | | scored and orchestrated correctly to suit the |
| routinely play) - the sound can easily become dull and | | | | instruments, so that any session musicians can just |
| uncharacteristic. The best string arranging uses an | | | | sit down and play it through correctly first time - |
| intimate knowledge of the instruments and can sound | | | | saving valuable studio time. |
| vivid, exciting and detailed. Often, when a string | | | | |