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Laissez Vibrer on String instrument's STOPPED pitch?

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Hello, YC community,

Is this ^^^ irregular extended technique possible?

I understand that Laissez Vibrer (LV) on a string instrument is done on open-string. If the LH finger was released off the stopped-pitch exactly at synchronized time with the arco springing off the string, would that be able to produce the resonation of an open-string LV?

Thanks greatly for your help!

As I understand, laisez vibrer normally applies to percussion instruments, meaning let the sound die away without any damping. I've not heard of it used with string instruments (except harp, guitar and like instruments). It wouldn't seem effective as an articulation. Then again in modern performances and uses of acoustic instruments it wouldn't surprise me if someone has found a use for it.

  • Author

Thank you, Quinn.

Actually, one Violist had demonstrated to me: when he released his finger off the stopped pitch at the same time the arco sprung off of it, the pitch that resonated alongside the stopped pitch was the open-string; not the stopped pitch.

Therefore, I conlude from this demonstration that this technique is possible on nothing but open-string (on Strings).

Unless someone would like to provide an alternative answer to this ^^, inquiry resolved. 😃

Edited by ARCMusicPublishings

The open strings on current stringed instruments are the only things that allow any laissez vib  at all. Pizzicato is notoriously just a thud - the exception being on the double bass which can sustain for a moment such that for a true 'sec' the string has to be damped. The strings also sustain briefly when the bow is lifted, without damping.

(The sample library I use includes the "release" of every instrument's articulation. With all strings except the double bass there's no noticeable sound after the release of the bow.)

  • 2 weeks later...
  • Author
On 4/12/2025 at 2:58 PM, Quinn said:

The open strings on current stringed instruments are the only things that allow any laissez vib  at all.

Yes, that is what I found out from my Violist's demonstration of it. 😁

Perhaps the Viola, whilst larger and more projective than the Violin, is still too small of an instrument for Laissez Vibre on non-open-pitch to occur. 

(They say that a Viola is most viable as a 20"; which no one can play because it's too large even for the tallest person on Earth; I wonder if Laissez Vibre stopped-pitches on that size woukd ever be viable. That inquiry will remain open for quite a long time, I suppose. heh!)

 

  

On 4/12/2025 at 2:58 PM, Quinn said:

The open strings on current stringed instruments are the only things that allow any laissez vib  at all. Pizzicato is notoriously just a thud - the exception being on the double bass which can sustain for a moment such that for a true 'sec' the string has to be damped. The strings also sustain briefly when the bow is lifted, without damping.

On a limb, I particularly favor DB natural and artificial harmonic pizzicato (alias "Harp Harmonics lent to DB") for this^^ very reason.

 

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