strings, changing bow direction

[Rubens Tubenchlak]

Hi there,
I would like to receive advice about to how to create the illusion of changing bow direction on long notes, including normal long notes and flautando situations.

Some possibilities I am exploring are:

1 breaking the long notes
2 breaking the long notes and choosing a different patch (which patch to exchange with flautando?)
2 using CC1 to create that effect
3 all techniques above

Or there is a better way to approach that situation?

Thank you,

Rubens

[Beat Kaufmann]

@Rubens Tubenchlak said:

Hi there,
I would like to receive advice about to how to create the illusion of changing bow direction on long notes, including normal long notes and flautando situations.

Some possibilities I am exploring are:

1 breaking the long notes Yes, if it's musically OK.
2 breaking the long notes and choosing a different patch (which patch to exchange with flautando?) Using fixed articulations always requires making compromises - probably not an option.
2 using CC1 to create that effect
3 all techniques above Any technique, if you met the goal.
....

Hello Rubens
One may think it is good or bad that VSL did not distinguish between upstrokes and downstrokes when VSL recording the strings.  Personally, I am glad that they did not also integrate this "reality". If the later users of the string libraries always use only one articulation over long passages, it doesn't matter if there are upstroke and downstroke articulations. It then sounds "inauthentic" anyway. We already have so many options that this little "reality" would not completely change the final result. Besides, repetition of the same note triggers a new sample variation anyway - at least with the newer libraries.

Nevertheless, if you want to take the "stroke thing" into account, there are a few tricks. Basically, the downstroke is a bit louder than the upstroke, especially with fast bow changes. In slow legato passages (melodies), the string player naturally tries to balance the bow weight with his little (bow-) finger, so that you can't (should not) hear whether it's an up- or a downstroke. From a purely technical point of view, there is no difference in tone when the bow is moved either way.

Here are a few links that will help you to integrate the topic for more short notes:

• https://www.beat-kaufmann.com/vitutorials/vi-tips--tricks-3/index.php (Nr. 26.)
• https://www.beat-kaufmann.com/vitutorials/vi-tips--tricks-3/index.php (Nr. 21.)
• https://www.beat-kaufmann.com/vitutorials/vi-tips--tricks-4/index.php (Nr. 33.)
• https://www.beat-kaufmann.com/vitutorials/vi-tips--tricks-4/index.php (Nr. 37.)

Example 1: e-partita.mp3 (Bach-Mangiagalli) If you listen to this example, you will hardly miss up or down samples, won't you?

Example 2: eine_kleine_nachtmusik.mp3 (Mozart)

Have fun trying it out!
Beat