Question about a cello

  Pardon my ignorance but I don't understand the question.
If I'm correct the cello open tuning is  C  G  D  A. Any two
(adjacent strings) can be played at the same time (when
using a bow). However (plucking) with the fingers one
could in theory play (4) strings at the same time.

  C4  and E4 to me is a piano term. So I can't relate that to
the cello. So I'm wondering, is this a trick question?

I will have to look at something (and I can't find it) to check, but the problem is solved with a second seat, maybe a third if necessary.

Later
Albert

Oops! Sorry, forgot to mention quadruple stops :lol:

Stops are cool :)

Janet


Thanks guys!  No, not a trick question, Jimmy.  Like Ron said in an email, if the two notes are on the same string, then they can't be played at the same time.  I don't know what notes are on each string of a cello. 
 
Thanks, Greg.  True, I could have two cellists, but it's only on the last note, and it might sound kinda funny if I only let the second guy play one note. :-)  But that IS a thought to have a cello duet.  That would sound nice. :-)  I guess what I need is a drawing of which notes are on each string.  I'll try to look that up.   This has to do with double stops, right?  And you can't play two different notes on the same string I'm guessing. 

       Yes :)
 
       You can indeed play two notes (double stops), or three notes (triple stops),  or four notes (quadruple stops) on a cello as one cellist.  Or like I said before, more than one cellist.  I love the sound of a good cello :)

      
       SongCraft

       'double stops' = two notes, and triple stops can be played also on a cello in whatever technique such as; 'slur'

You could play C3 and E4 instead, the major 3rd is respected and the end result definitely less muddy. But is this acceptable stylistically speaking?


Cello

Interactive Frequency Chart



Edit: Adjustment to proposed notes...

JC...true.  Good idea. 

Thanks Greg... basically what I'm wanting to know is if those two notes are on the same string. :-)  But JC gave me a good idea...I'll just separate them more and hope they're really on different strings.  Or that a cellist won't notice if the aren't. :-) 

Thanks Drew.  I'm still waiting on my cellist friend to answer.  Barring all else, maybe I'll just invite another cellist to join us. :-)

Janet


YAY!  My cellist friend says a cello can play those notes at the same time.  :-)

I still may add another cello part though, just for fun.  Thanks again, everyone!

I meant to respond yesterday but got sidetracked.  You've found the answer to your question, but you might be interested in a more general answer.
 
The base notes of the cello were mentioned previously in this thread: C2, G2, D3 and A3.  Each string has a range of a little more than 2 octaves, how much more depending on the instrument and skill of the player.  So, at least in theory, you have three different positions where a C4/E4 combo could be acheived (i.e., each of the adjacent string pairs are candidates to play these two notes on concurrently).  Now, the cello has a longer fingerboard (if that's the right term) than a guitar, so maybe the "in theory" qualification is trumped by "in reality" for some of those positions.  It might also depend on the size of the players hand (like on the piano, not all players can play more than an octave interval, but a some can even play an octave and a third or even more).
 
FWIW, I should mention that C4 is middle C in most frames of reference, but that's not an official MIDI standard.  I've come across at least one legitimate source that used C3 as middle C.  MIDI note 60 is unambgious (as is plain old "middle C").  Isn't that annoying?

Janet

I also meant to say that the C4 & E4 I was referring to are in the octave below middle C.  They are named that in Sonar, so that's what I called them.

Yes, I had forgotten CW did that.  It might be a nice feature to be able to specify what middle C is displayed as in Sonar.  On the other hand, it might lead to total chaos and confusion in this forum if that kind of anarchy was allowed.
 
I can see why some would say C5 is middle C.  MIDI note 0 is five octaves below.  On the other hand, MIDI note 0 has a frequency that puts it below the lowest tone humans can hear (~8Hz, I believe).  Those who choose C4 to denote middle C have the arugment that their C0 is at least audible.  All this doesn't explain some reference systems where C3 is middle C, but that probably has something to do with the number of notes on a manufacturer's keyboard. 
 
It's really too bad that this wasn't spelled out in some part of the origianl MIDI spec.  We're probably going to have to live with this confusion for all time.