Play a string instrument?

Hi....My question is the following:

Do you think it's important to play a string instrument (specially Violin or viola) To compose more acurate string quartets or orquestral works??

Do you know if Beethoven could play the Violin? I heard that Mozart play some of his violin Concertos, and Bach played The Viola really well..

What do you think??

C YA and forgive my fair english, it's been a lot of time since i don't practice it!

Yes, Beethoven played both the violin and the viola.

And yes, it would be immense help, definitely consider it. String instruments are very important, and also very detailed and unique. Most composers in the old days played both keyboard and a string instrument.

Well, in terms of composition, actually being able to play the instruments you're writing for is a good idea, but at the same time it's completely unnecessary to actually writing good "orquestral" music (it's orchestral).

As long as you're familiar with the mechanics, limitations, strengths and weaknesses of the instrument and are aware of how it's played and things like that, you'll be able to write for it just as well.

The only real advantage of actually playing the instrument is that you can often save a bit of time understanding those things because for some people it's much easier to learn by doing than by reading it in a book.

Regardless, you don't NEED to learn to play a stringed instrument in order to become an accomplished composer. The statement becomes hard to justify because there's no reason why you'd need to know about strings more than, say, woodwinds and so by that token one would also need to know how to play woodwind instruments and percussion instruments and brass...not practical and clearly not necessary.

So my answer to your question is no.

I don't believe it is necessary. I play cello and bassoon. Playing a wind and string really helps my composing. But all that matters is that you know effects the instrument can do and how high or low they can go. And there is no "Accurate" string quartet. You can have good form etc. But "accurate" is not a good term to use.

I think he means accurate / correct idiomatic writing for the strings.

I would say it's a large help to know how to play the instrument. And I would also argue that learning a stringed instrument is the most important of the orchestral ones to learn, because for most of the history of the orchestra, and that includes a lot of things these days, the orchestra is primarily based upon the strings, which act as the backbone. Also, strings have much more potential for advanced, and extended writing than do any of the other instruments. Partly because they have the greatest range of the orchestral instruments, partly because they can all play at least 2 notes at once.

Anyway, it's not essential, but it's a very helpful step to take at some point in your composing career. I would personally suggest trying, or learning the very basics of one of each family in the orchestra. Most instruments throughout a family share many similar characteristics.

I think he means accurate / correct idiomatic writing for the strings.

I would say it's a large help to know how to play the instrument. And I would also argue that learning a stringed instrument is the most important of the orchestral ones to learn, because for most of the history of the orchestra, and that includes a lot of things these days, the orchestra is primarily based upon the strings, which act as the backbone. Also, strings have much more potential for advanced, and extended writing than do any of the other instruments. Partly because they have the greatest range of the orchestral instruments, partly because they can all play at least 2 notes at once.

Anyway, it's not essential, but it's a very helpful step to take at some point in your composing career. I would personally suggest trying, or learning the very basics of one of each family in the orchestra. Most instruments throughout a family share many similar characteristics.

Oh. I see what you mean. But yeah. Learning a string isn't that important in my opinon. I do play cello though. But the winds have so many effects playing bassoon has helped me write wind parts better. Some cool wind effects are multiphonics etc.

I think that playing a string instrument isn't completely necessary, but it is very helpful, as is playing any other instrument. The important thing is to know what intruments can do, and how to write for them. If you don't have the time, money, etc. to play an instrument you should at least contact someone who does play the instrument, such as someone on this forum, or read about the instrument in a book, I don't actually have a name for a book, but I'm sure someone on this forum would know of one.

However, I would recommend playing a string instrument it is a great experience and is very fun, most of the time.

Hey, thanks a lof tor answering.....My english is not very good, so maybe my ideas are written in a strange way, but i hope you understand me...I know you had understand me bnecause of the anserws...

Well, i am completly agree with Daniel, he express what i was thinking more clearly than me ..hehe :)

Anyway i understand that is not really necesary to play a string instrument to compose orchestral works...

I am starting to compose, writing some inventions and preludes, doing lots of excercieses of style, and i don't want let the time pass and in some years realice i should had donde something like learn to play a violin.....But i understand you all!!

C YA

I wouldn't know because i am a string player but I write for non-string instruments and all you need to do is some research and if you're unsure get a player to try out your work. That's the absolute best way to discover the limitations of the instrument and is great help for editing work.

The Rimsky-Korsakov "Principles of Orchestration" is what I have used as a guide to instruments and is really detailed and often has humorous explanations of the sounds of instruments.