Do orchestral string instruments need a pause before con sordino?
I’m a self-taught wannabe composer who’s playing with strings in Sibelius and I’m trying to learn the intricacies of writing for different techniques, such as con sordino, sul pont., etc. My question is: In a passage where the strings change from natural/open to a technique that requires a physical modification to the instrument (such as installing a mute for sordino), must the composer write a pause/rest to give the players time to put the mute in place, or can the strings change technique fluidly with uninterrupted playing? And if there must be a break, how long should it be as a rule of thumb? A second? Five?
Here’s an image to illustrate the idea: A continuous passage …
… vs. a break before the technique change:
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
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For what it's worth, here's what Berlioz has to say in his Treatise on Instrumentation:
The composer, when indicating the use of mutes in the middle of a piece (by the words con sordini), must not forget to allow sufficient time for putting them on. He should provide a rest in the violins, equal in length to about two bars in 4-4 time, moderato. The rest may be shorter when the words senza sordini indicate that the mutes are to be removed; this can be done in much less time.
If you do need a transition to or from mutes during continuous playing, you could perhaps divide a section and have half the players start playing with mutes at the same time that the other half end an unmuted phrase.
Orchestral string players often have mutes that are clipped onto the strings behind the bridge, so they are quick to apply and remove, and don't get lost. One type has a small "handle" to make it easier to apply quickly. Another type just pushes against the face of the bridge, instead of being clipped on top of it (which is a bit more fiddly to do).
It's not an instantaneous operation, but 5 seconds should be enough time for a professional standard player.
This video doesn't really show a "quick change," but it gives a some idea of what is involved - not much, after a bit of practise.
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