Need help with string line articulations

[vanclair]

I am writing quite a bit of original music. I would like to orchestrate this music. I’m having a problem knowing which articulation to assign to an original string line? I’ve tried assigning a legato violin to the line and it does not sound right. I know that a violinist does not just play legato for the whole line.


Thanks Vanessa

[PaulR]

That's a little non specific.

What you could do is post an MP3 of the string line or an example of the written line. Otherwise it's impossible to say which articulations would be appropriate. For example, at the end of a phrase, people tend to use articulations like dim 2/3/4 secs etc. You could use many articulations just for one phrase.

[mathis]

First a warm welcome, Vanessa. Great to have one(!) woman around.

Best is if you post this string line as a mp3, you'll get quite some feedback then, I'm sure.

[vanclair]

Thank You for your help.

Vanessa

[dpcon]

The performance legato marcato patches are a more forceful legato. The perf/leg sfz even more forceful than that. These would be best for legato phrases. If you want accented notes than you can use the short articulations: staccato's, detache's, portato's, sfz, sffz, for forceful notes of various degrees. Performance repetitions also have a good attack with perf/rep harsh extremely forceful.

[vanclair]

Thank you Dave for your help.

Vanessa

[dpcon]

My pleasure Vanessa.

I should add that the short articulations can be just that: natural sounding notes of varying length that aren't neccessarily forceful attacks (depending on the velocity.) They sound quite good and real because they are unaltered samples that were played at the length they sound.

Also consider the pfp instruments as they have a natural rise and fall which can breath expression into the midi environment. Using the dynamic (dyn) patches as well you also have a natural rise or fall (chosen by the A/B switch in the player.) So you can have a note go < > or two notes 1< 2> (or vice versa etc., etc.)
Both pfp and dyn patches have many different lengths so you can often find what you need for a given tempo or need. Also note the dynamic patches come in medium and strong patches.

[vanclair]

Thanks again Dave. I really appreciate your help.

Vanessa