Violin

Suggested

Range

About Our

Suggested

Ranges

Usage (cont.)

Creating Atmosphere

Performing melodies is only one of the violin's many functions. Often times we use the violins create atmosphere. This can be accomplished by simply holding one note very high in the register. In this next example, the violins alternate between a high C and high B - two of the very top notes in the violin's range.

When played over the lower register basses, you create an enormously wide span of sound even though nothing is playing in the mid register:

Adding a simple haunting melody, played by one or two other instruments in the mid register around middle C, would be all that's needed to turn this atmospheric effect into an interesting composition.

The high register of the violins can also be used to play light, ethereal harmonies. In this next example, the 1st violins and the 2nd violins each play two different notes at the same time, making a four-note chord.