What are the highest sul notes possible on each string instrument.
So, I am currently writing a suite for string orchestra. I intend on putting several sul notes for the violin and the viola. However, I'm wondering how high exactly each violin and each viola string can play before you hit the edge of the fingerboard.
Comments
There is no "exact" answer. Fingerboard lengths differ, and also the higher you go, the more skill it takes. One octave above the open pitch is always safe, two octaves might be pushing it depending on the string, the instrument, and the player, but in theory, one could play higher still. You might wish to invest in an orchestration textbook for more information on this sort of thing.
What are "sul notes"? I never heard of it.
In reply to What are "sul notes"? I never by edizioneo
I believe they are also called harmonics.
In reply to What are "sul notes"? I never by edizioneo
I think perhaps the wording was not ideal. There i no such thing as a "sul note", but "sul G" (for example) is how a composer specifies that he wants an entire passage to be played on the G string even though some of the notes might normally be played on a different string instead. So the question is simply about the highest note that can be played on each string - it does no good to write "sul G" on a passage if it is not physically playable on the G string.
In reply to What are "sul notes"? I never by edizioneo
Sul notes are indicators that the composer wants the note to be played on a certain string. For instance, Sul G means the note has to be played on the G string.
In reply to Sul notes are indicators that by Elwin
I see. The term "sul notes" doesn't exist, however.
Marc has explained very well the basic you should follow.
Sul G means "su il G" and "su il" means "on the". Here we don't use "notes" word, since it is Italian article "on the...".
The very grammatical correct way should be "su la corda Sol", but shorter "sulla corda Sol" – which is used in music.
Another "su" is used for a common bow playing "sul tasto" ("su il tasto") which means "on the fingerboard".
So, "su" means "on, above" and together with the article it is used in music always shorter: sul, sulla.