How do you write this cluster???

[O-Start]

Hi does anybody here know how to notate a string section cluster like this example from the EW collection?

http://www.mediafire.com/?5iommgjqm1r


I have never written one before and now Im kind of getting confused on how to write it down...
Maybe you already have an example bar to show here?

Thanks so much for any help ..

[O-Start]

Come on guys, nobody in here can help with this?

The cluster in question is one already present in the library, if anyone knows how to write it down PLEASE PLEASE give me a shout!!

[eleventler]

Hey,

Check out the score for "Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima" by Krzysztof Penderecki. You'll find plenty of ways to notate different string techniques there.

Evrim

[Peterkjones]

Hi O-start,
Got to this late. Look up Californian Henry Cowell, the prime inventor of cluster notation - try to find the score of The Tides of Manaunaun. I believe you'll find an example plus more info at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tone-cluster
There are also aleatoric notation symbols for "a note towards the top of the range," : "a note towards the bottom of the range" : "a note within the range..." etc.
Hope this helps.
Best PKJ

[peter5992]

Check out this recent thread on the Sibelius chat page:

http://www.sibelius.com/cgi-bin/helpcenter/chat/chat.pl?com=thread&start=409496&groupid=3

Most common form to write a cluster for strings (according to Gardner Read in his standard Music Notation) is a black bar, the width of which is determined by the amount of notes included (eg all notes ranging from c to f). Before the cleff you write the amount of notes included in the cluster. This particular sample you posted increases in pitch so the bar should probably not be horizontal but rather diagonal, pointing upward (not sure what the custom is here). In addition there is a crescendo which is usually written with a hairpin.

[Peterkjones]

Just to mention that the rhythm of clusters can be notated using some of the usual conventions. In those clusters whose rhythmic value is from quarter note or less, the bar is solid black. Clusters from half note or more, the bar is an open box. To these are added tails, dots, double-dots, beams etc as per.

[O-Start]

thanks guys this is great info!

I'll check out these things as you suggest,
Thanks a lot again!!!

[obmit]

There are a few ways to do it. But basically is it violins doing a portamento. It is a little random in that you heard a few people go down for a bit then you hear some others come in lower. It could have been a few takes put together. But the stand out thing is that they are sliding and not changing strings.

Using a block or thick notehead is OK if you have time to then explain to the band what to do with it. Imagine you are in the middle of the violin section, you have no idea what note to play, what happens if too many people play the same note? For these reasons I always write it out then you make sure the start is a true cluster and the slides will be at different times, or it does not get the cool grind, you could have pitch bended it yourself.

The best way to do this is to divide into 4 or 6 parts and have each play a double stop. You can then make sure you have a nice cluster. This also really helps if you have a small section.

Here is an example from a recent score. It is not the exact same thing as your audio, but close. The top note of each double stop is played on the E string (the top one on the violin) and the other then has to be on the A string.

Doing it this way takes me a little longer than putting in a big black box but orchestra time is expensive and this way is virtually sight readable.

Obmit

[O-Start]

Hey Obmit,

That's super, thanks so much for taking time to write this. Much appreciate it!
Very neat!

[Sharma]

You can achieve some really interesting effects by sliding up the string to whilst only lightly touching it, as in playing harmonics. It's brings out the whole harmonic series in a kind of random arpeggiation. (I'm sure someone els could explain this better). However some composers have created similar but lighter and more etherial effects to your cluster, by sliding in this way at the very highest point of the string. Penderecki and Ligeti demonstrate many of these kind of techniques. In particualr you should listen and have a look at the score of Ligeti's 'Atmosphères'. Very interesting.