Sequencing Strings 1 – Characteristics and voicing

「Strings」 are used throughout a plethora of genres.
They refer to bowed instruments such as「Violin」,「Viola」,「Cello」and「Contrabass」.

Considering there are so many ways to utilize them,
by increasing your sequencing skills of these instruments,
you will be able to produce better quality arrangements.

We will take a look at sequencing 「Strings」 over the course of a few articles.

Sequencing Strings – Tutorial video

Each instruments range/characteristics

「Violin」 : G2〜E6
In a band setting, it would be the “electric guitar” of the group.
It generally plays the melody in string sections.

「Viola」 : C3〜C5
It plays an octave above the Cello, and generally covers part of the harmony.
In a band setting, it would like somewhere between the guitar and the bass.

「Cello」 : C1〜G4
It generally plays an octave above the Contrabass,
and its main sounds play around the 5/6th string register of the guitar, requiring another Bass part to fill in the sounds.

「Contrabass」 : E1〜C3
In a band setting, it would serve as the “bass.”
In some cases it plays an octave above its regular range to layer cello parts.

※ The range is just a suggestion, and is not the full extent of the playable range

Voicing

By balancing the soundscape as shown on the right,
you can create better harmonies.

By using close note voicings when changing chords,
it creates a smoother transition.