Chapter 10 - Strings Reference
REFERENCE CHART OF
KEYBOARD IDIOMS AND PATTERNS
Table of strings examples:
Broken Octaves
1.a. Broken Octaves - Bass Register
1.b. Broken Octaves Treble Register
2. Broken Octaves with Embellishments
3. Broken Octaves Combined with Thirds
Broken Chords
1a. Left-hand Broken Chords in Close Position
1b. Left-hand Broken Chords in Close Position
Standardization of Transcription Media as a Basic Formula for the Reference Chart as Applied to the String Section
The previous subject matter, dealing with the strings, gave an insight into the fundamental assets and liabilities of the section as a whole. Ways and means of tone production, development of harmonic textures, and resonance values and factors have been analyzed, evaluated, and classified. These prerequisites are valuable in acting as a background to the actual study of idiomatic string writing as it applies to the formulas and textures of music for keyboard instruments. Even a casual survey of music in these categories reveals certain technical formulas that appear rather consistently and as integral parts of compositional techniques. Closer examination shows that these technical matters can, in many instances, be isolated from their context and classified as concrete examples of keyboard idioms and patterns.
The Reference Chart has been designed to analyze these technicalities and to readapt them to orchestral dimensions. Thus, each entry in the Chart becomes a specific technical problem which, when properly disposed of, serves as a model for all subsequent repetitions of the same or similar technicalities.
Since the string section is the very backbone of the orchestra, it is advisable to apply all of the subject matter of the Reference Chart to it, as an independent unit. By so doing, each entry can be examined, analyzed, and applied, thus providing the basis for the subsequent addition of wind and percussion instruments. It is of the utmost importance for the orchestrator to acquire some facility with this transcribing process since practical orchestration is dependent upon the dispositions made of the string section. Good scoring habits thus initiated become an integral part of a good scoring technique.