Detache

[clamnectar]

Does anyone use the detache patches for the string instruments? I love the legato, staccato, pizzicato, trill, and tremolo patches... but detache just sounds lifeless and kind of 'fake' wherever I put it. Anyone have tips to make use of it?

[jasensmith]

Take a look at some of the video demos of the string libraries and they'll give you an idea of how detaches can be used.  Here's a link to the video demo for the Appassionata Strings.

http://vsl.co.at/en/211/442/344/422/1546/1205.htm 

Hope this helps.

[Meyo]

 I use detache in almost every phrase I write.  You can't simulate proper bowing without them.  Generally speaking I use them to begin and end legato phrases.  I also use them in slurred lines to simulate crossing a string with a bow change.  I'm not a violin player, so I just use my ears to judge when to insert one.  They mix well with staccatos to give definition and variation to the phrase.  For two slurred notes in a moderate line I will often use a long or short detache to a staccato because a legato first note lacks the correct attack.  Once you get used to the sound they produce in context, using them becomes natural and you will be able to go through a phrase and insert them without much thought.

[Beat Kaufmann]

@clamnectar said:

Does anyone use the detache patches for the string instruments? I love the legato, staccato, pizzicato, trill, and tremolo patches... but detache just sounds lifeless and kind of 'fake' wherever I put it. Anyone have tips to make use of it?

As mentioned above: stac, détaché short and long are the most used articulations in my (classical) pieces as well.

They correspond with the stac, portato short and long articulations with wind instruments.

As an example: Visit http://www.beat-kaufmann.com/tutorial-2007/index.php and play the "7 short music phrases" (Sidebar).

Most of these Phrases are combinations of stac, det short and long.

Another example:

http://www.beat-kaufmann.com/demos/index.html

E-Music > BK-Solo-Violin-Demo : The first Part is Bach's  Violin Concerto in E.

I played it at that time when I wasn't able to play legato articulations.

In other words: You will listen to a row of (only) stacs, detaches short and long with the Violin Concerto in E!

Best

Beat

[noldar12]

While I do not use them as much as the other patches, when rounding out phrases, or in a specific context of a melodic line, a detache is precisely what is called for. Detache is an essential fundamental bowing technique. If you have not done so, it might be a good idea to listen to recordings of various works for string orchestra.

[clamnectar]

Well, I played violin when I was younger, so I know that detaché is used... I just haven't figured out how to use it and make it sound right in VSL. But thanks for the comments, I'll try something different...