String Quartet
Not sure if this is the right place for this post, but if not, I am sure it will get moved to the proper place.
I am working on a song that is almost all midi, written in two tracks, for sampling into a string quartet. What I mean is, the notes are from the top of the scale to the bottom, and the writer used a string set that would play everything and do the separations in the program. But what we want is to separate the song into ranges, and then sample just the violin part, then just the viola part, then the cello, and then the contrabass. So I have two things to consider:
1. What is the range of each instrument? I believe they overlap, but I am not sure. It has been many years since playing cello in the junior high, and I can't remember anything about that time except that the first chair violinist was a hottie...
2. In a string quartet setting, how would the musicians be positioned? Would there be more than one of each instrument, and how would they be arranged around that half circle?
I am on my way to the internet search bar to do some research, but any help would be greatly appreciated.
Later
Albert
Wow, just got back from the search button, got so much information my head might just explode. Now to use it.
For instance, a "contrabass" is probably the wrong thing to call it, it is really a double bass. A contra bass is the lowest range of almost any type of instrument, there can be contra sax's, contra flutes, etc. And, by adding the bass to a quartet, it is no longer a quartet, nor is it chamber music, more an ensemble, but not really.
Any thoughts about mixing a group of instruments in the string section and getting good definition of each so that they don't just sound like one big sixteen string super string box with "F" holes would be appreciated.
Later
Albert
post edited by gamblerschoice - 2010/03/07 02:16:00