For decades, from Motown to Funk, to Disco, Indie Rock to singer-songwriter music, one of the elements that has made some songs successful is the incorporation of stringed instruments into the mix. When used skillfully, this medium can enhance a piece of music, giving it a unique character and sound, lending power and emotion to a song. The strings are also used to provide the “hook” or counter melody that adds a new dimension and variety to the music.
Many chart hits have a string “wash” in the background, subtly used without being particularly prominent, and based on simple chords. There are also countless examples where sampled string sounds have been used to great effect, from the atmospheric Mellotrone of the 1960s to more high-tech solutions used in modern music. Even synthesized strings, without pretending to be real, have also distinguished many pop and rock classics.
Despite great advances in sampled string technology, many producers and artists still prefer to use the ‘real’ – professional studio musicians who draw on their expertise to create a rich and authentic addition to a track. By using live players, it is possible to be much more versatile and include the articulations or “up and down slopes” that only sound authentic on a real instrument.
The first thing to keep in mind is that the family of stringed instruments that make up a standard string ensemble – violins, violas, cellos, and double bass – have a lot in common but function differently from guitar or keyboard. They are tuned in fifths, which means that you count 5 notes, including the note itself, to reach the next string. The violin shares its three lower strings with the viola, while the cello is exactly one octave below the viola. It is also important to know the range of each instrument. About three and a half octaves will sound comfortable as a section, and it is important to understand how sound quality is affected by the pitch of the notes. The high notes will sound thinner and more penetrating, while the lower register may sound thicker or richer. As an example, much of the disco music of the 1970s makes use of the highest register of violins in particular.
The next consideration is the slick and sometimes complicated business of spacing chords for a string section. This is where many string arrangements can go wrong – if you get it wrong, the effect can sound hollow or weak. Violins are divided into two sections, the ‘first and second violin’, as found in a symphony orchestra. The first violins can often be in unison or an octave higher than the melody, with the second violins playing a supporting counter tune. On the contrary, the first violins could play the counter melody with the other three parts filling the chords. Note: in a chord, each instrument can take one or two notes depending on the fullness or effect required. Even on these chords, the string arranger must ensure that the cello part does not jump too much; Although the bass can still provide the bass line, the cello part will still be very effective for moving in step or as a melodic. line.
Another important aspect is understanding the articulations necessary to get the best out of string instruments. Think of it as monochrome versus color. Without name calling, staccato, spiccato, and pizzicato (all the standard effects typically played by stringed instruments), the sound can become dull and uncharacteristic. The best string arrangements use an intimate knowledge of the instruments and can sound vivid, exciting, and detailed. Often times when a string section has been composed on a keyboard instrument, it can sound somewhat fixed and primarily chord in nature, without the moving parts that strings naturally have.
Strings have been used in almost every genre of music, from jazz to heavy metal, rap, and of course classical music. Genres such as bluegrass, cajun, and folk often feature a solo violin (the name ‘violin’ is interchangeable with violin), with an idiomatic style based on the sliding up of the notes, the use of quick double stops (where more than one note is simultaneously played) and subtle trills with notes snapped up quickly. Sometimes single strings, one from each instrument as in a standard string quartet, can be an option to bring out the beautiful lead sound of each performer. This can be used for more intimate song styles, such as one with acoustic guitar and vocals.
Here, the use of solo instruments is often more appropriate than a large string orchestra as it brings a feeling of sentiment and adds a more contemplative mood. For more style music, a string arranger can write a great orchestral-type sound, such as for a rock ballad or a movie soundtrack. If budget is not an option, a section of thirty to forty session musicians can be used. In other cases, often a library of high-quality sampled strings can give an excellent performance of the strings, although it lacks the human touch, and many producers hire a handful of professional musicians to layer on some real takes to add the articulations and feel. that. make it sound more convincing. When the strings are just one part of a mix with other instruments, this can be a cheaper solution than hiring a full orchestra.
With modern studio technology, an increasingly popular method for those financing their own projects is to use a few musicians who can perform multiple tracks from various overdubs to create a larger sound. However, it is highly recommended that the players who are asked to do this be extremely precise professionals, to ensure that the end result is not messy; they will also need to vary the sound quality and pitch to add character and mimic a variety of different players within the section. With this approach, players must have perfect tuning and excellent sound range to create a realistic end result.
The professional string arranger will have an idea of when the strings should be dominant on a track and when they should recede into a more supportive background sound. The arranger must know when texture needs to be sparse, as well as identify times when strings can come to life and be dense or intricate. Instead of adding just basic chords, the strings can be used to provide the hook or counter melody and in some cases this can completely transform a piece of music, making it instantly memorable.
Although many bands and artists have a background in music theory and orchestration, so they must perform their own string arrangements, it is important to remember that a skilled string arranger will take years of training and may perform better. After all, if a group is going to incur hiring expenses on an actual ropes section, they will want to make sure they get the full potential of the players. The music must be orchestrated and orchestrated correctly to suit the instruments, so that musicians in any session can simply sit down and play it correctly the first time, saving valuable study time.