Orchestral Parts For First Violins

This question is about writing out separate parts for the musicians after the master score has been completed

In an orchestral score I have the first violins occasionally divided up into equal divisi groups. Sometimes they are divided into two groups, sometimes three groups and sometimes four groups. There are brief moments when two violins taken from Vl.I are used as soloists, each playing a separate line.

My inclination is to write out just one part for Vl.I which includes separate labeled staffs for each separate Vl.I part. In otherwords, just one part which shows everything going on with the first violins.

Is this an acceptable approach?

As opposed to writing out separate parts for each player? Yes. Just make sure to hide the extra staves when they're inactive. ;)

Sounds like you're pretty far along in the compositional/notational process - will you have your composition performed soon?

Thanks for the encouragement. I would like to take the same approach in writing out the parts for

second violins, violas, cellos and basses.

There is no plan yet as to having the piece performed.

It depends on how outrageous the divisi is. If the parts divide by stand or are divided by more than four parts, I'd recommend giving a separate part for every stand. Otherwise, one unified part will do just fine.

It depends on how outrageous the divisi is. If the parts divide by stand or are divided by more than four parts, I'd recommend giving a separate part for every stand. Otherwise, one unified part will do just fine.

The piece is around 25 minutes long, and is written for a minimum of 14 Vl.1 There is one section where for around 30 bars Vl.1 are divided into four divisi groups and two of the first violins are used as soloists with separate lines for a total of 6 different lines. There is a danger in this section of the four divisi groups being divided up too unequally unless everyone has a separate part. Then each violinist can play without worrying about the divisions. Possibly better to divide into 7 parts so that each part can be shared.

In the rest of the piece Vl.1 are never divided into more than 4 groups and are usually divided into two groups.

An alternative solution is to write out separate parts for the two violins that occasionally break away from

the first violins to play solo lines, and write out one part for the rest of Vl.1 with the solo violins omitted.

Having all the Vl.1 written on one part has an advantage in that it shows what is going on globally,

but a disadvantage in that for one section of the piece it is written out on 6 staves into separate parts.

It might be more easily adaptable though to orchestras of different sizes.

I'd probably keep it as a one part. Don't put the solo parts as different unless they're supposed to stand up and move to a different stand concerto-style. But that's obviously not what this piece is.6 staves is a bit extreme but not insurmountable.

I'd probably keep it as a one part. Don't put the solo parts as different unless they're supposed to stand up and move to a different stand concerto-style. But that's obviously not what this piece is.6 staves is a bit extreme but not insurmountable.

They aren't meant to stand up. The violin solo parts are just part of the overall texture.

I agree... the 4 part divisi plus two solo violins section is somewhat complicated, but workable

as one overall Vl.I part.

Indeed, if the 4 divisi parts are not too complicated you might be able to reduce them into two staves. I don't know the part so I can't know for certain.

Indeed, if the 4 divisi parts are not too complicated you might be able to reduce them into two staves. I don't know the part so I can't know for certain.

In this case it would make it harder to read.

Why not have a look at some examples from the repertoire and see what publishers do? Look at works such as Rite, Alpine Symphony, Prelude a la apres-midi de un' faune and Pines of Rome which have extensive string divisi. Two major advantages to having all the staves on one part are that the same part can be handed out to anybody in the section and any player can perform another's part if necessary, and also that everybody in the section can see what everybody else is playing, which will aid co-ordination. Do not issue more than one part unless the divisi is almost constant (as with some Smetana 'cello and viola parts).

Why not have a look at some examples from the repertoire and see what publishers do? Look at works such as Rite, Alpine Symphony, Prelude a la apres-midi de un' faune and Pines of Rome which have extensive string divisi. Two major advantages to having all the staves on one part are that the same part can be handed out to anybody in the section and any player can perform another's part if necessary, and also that everybody in the section can see what everybody else is playing, which will aid co-ordination. Do not issue more than one part unless the divisi is almost constant (as with some Smetana 'cello and viola parts).

This is good advice, although I don't have easy access to seeing the separate parts to scores.

IMSLP yo!

I looked at a few parts and this is what I came up with:

Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra: two Violin I parts marked Violin Ia and Ib each with four stands of material each.

Strauss: Eine Alpinesymphonie: Single Violin I part with as many as eight staves at once (4 solos with four part div.)

Stravinsky: Rite of Spring: Single Violin I part with as many as six staves at once (4 solos with 2 part div.)

Debussy: Prelude on the Afternoon of a Faun: Single Violin I part with four staves at once (2 solos and 2 part div.)

Debussy: Nocturnes: Single Violin I part with as many as six staves at once for six part divisi. This publisher seems to go out of their way to separate divisis onto separate staves (unlike in the score).

Resphigi: Fountains of Rome: Single Violin I part with mostly three but briefly four staves for three and four-part divisi.

Respighi: Pines of Rome: Single Violin I part with as many as four staves for two solos and divisi in three parts. This publisher is not as zealous about splitting up divisis and often like-rhythmic divisi is placed on the same staff, sometimes as many as three parts at once.

Clearly the consensus is one part per section with as many staves as necessary unless you're a looney-bin like Strauss who needs to define every single player's part.

My experience is whenever using more than a2 divisi, better put in two parts (1,2 and 3) but the score can have just one stave. The performers say it's hardly readable when having divisi a 3 on one stave.

Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra: two Violin I parts marked Violin Ia and Ib each with four stands of material each.

Strauss: Eine Alpinesymphonie: Single Violin I part with as many as eight staves at once (4 solos with four part div.)

Stravinsky: Rite of Spring: Single Violin I part with as many as six staves at once (4 solos with 2 part div.)

Debussy: Prelude on the Afternoon of a Faun: Single Violin I part with four staves at once (2 solos and 2 part div.)

Debussy: Nocturnes: Single Violin I part with as many as six staves at once for six part divisi. This publisher seems to go out of their way to separate divisis onto separate staves (unlike in the score).

Resphigi: Fountains of Rome: Single Violin I part with mostly three but briefly four staves for three and four-part divisi.

Respighi: Pines of Rome: Single Violin I part with as many as four staves for two solos and divisi in three parts. This publisher is not as zealous about splitting up divisis and often like-rhythmic divisi is placed on the same staff, sometimes as many as three parts at once.

Thanks Justin, for the interesting info.

My experience is whenever using more than a2 divisi, better put in two parts (1,2 and 3) but the score can have just one stave. The performers say it's hardly readable when having divisi a 3 on one stave.

Personally, I prefer to have each part on a separate stave. It makes it easier for me to conceptualize what is going on in the score.

If there are many staves I decrease the relative size of them.