Bowed string instrument extended technique

String instruments are capable of producing a variety of extended technique sounds. These alternative playing techniques have been used extensively in the 20th century. Particularly famous examples of string instrument extended technique can be found in the music of Krzysztof Penderecki (particularly his Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima), Witold Lutosławski, and Helmut Lachenmann.

Bowing techniques

Bowing the body of the instrument

Bowing the body of a string instrument (which can include bowing the sound box, neck, tuning peg, or scroll) produces almost no sound. At most the sound is a whisper of the now hair moving over the wood. For this reason bowing the body of an instrument is more of a visual effect than an auditory one. A good example of this technique in a musical work is Helmut Lachenmann’s Toccatina, a piece written in 1986 for solo violin which uses many extended techniques.

Bowing on the bridge

Bowing on the bridge produce two different effects depending on how it is done. If it is done while the performer is in normal playing position the sound produced is quiet, whispery and a bit squeaky. This method could more properly be called bowing over the bridge since the bow hair is usually still in contact with the strings. The other method involves the performing holding the instrument in their lap, placing the bow parallel to the instrument and firmly drag it across the side of the bridge. In this case the sound is a loud high pitched squeaky. An example of this playing technique can be found in Gérard Grisey’s Vortex Temporum (1995).

Bowing the tailpiece

Drawing the bow across the tailpiece creates a very quiet resonant sound. Because the tailpiece is large and heavy this sound is general of a quite low pitch.

Scratch tone

A scratch tone is produced by bowing the instrument in normal playing position, but applying very hard pressure to the bow. This produces and extremely lowed and grating sound.

Bowing behind the bridge

This fairly common extended technique involves bowing the instrument on the short length of string behind the bridge. The tone is very high and squeaky. Depending on the instrument the pitch of the tones may or may not be perceived (cellos and basses are more likely to produce recognizable pitches because of the longer length of their strings).

Plucking effects

On string instruments plucking the strings in called pizzicato.

Buzz pizzicato

Buzz pizzicato is created by plucking the string forcefully and placing left hand finger parallel to the string so that the plucked string buzzes against the fingernail. An exilent example of this can be found at the beginning of Zhou Long’s Song of the Ch’in (1982).

Snap pizzicato

Snap pizzicato was an invented by Bartok and used extensively in his music. The technique consists of pulling the string back more that would be done normally a releasing it so that it snaps forcefully against the fingerboard. The resultant sound is a loud snap, and contains very little pitch.

Nail Pizzicato

Nail pizzicato is another technique invented and used extensively by Bartok. To perform a nail pizz. The performer plucks the string with only the fingernail (in slandered string performance technique the player uses the pad of the finger). The resulting sound is a bit more harsh and metallic.

Tapping effects

"Silent" fingering

A performer can stop the strings with his left hand in an unusually forceful manure and thereby produce a very quit percussive effect. Although quit, the name “silent” is a misnomer and refers to the fact that the bow is often not applied when performing this effect.

Striking the Strings

The strings can be struck with the hand or with another object to produce a loud ringing or percussive sound. The performers right hand is often used for this which leaves the left hand free to finger pitches or dampen the strings.

Tapping on the instrument

String instruments can be tapped or just about anywhere. The body of a string instrument, being a resonant cavity, can resound quit loudly when struck with the fingers or another object.