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Lesson 5 - MELODY - Strings - Doubling, Thirds & Sixths

GARRITAN INTERACTIVE

PRINCIPLES OF ORCHESTRATION
by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov

Chapter II

MELODY
Part 1 - Stringed Instruments (Continued)
Lesson Notes: In this lesson we will finish the discussion on melody as it pertains to the stringed instruments. We will
delve into doubling the stringed instruments in octaves, melody in double octaves, doubling in three and four octaves and
melody in thirds and sixths.

Stringed Instruments doubling in octaves.

a) Violins I

and Violins II

in octaves.

This is a very common process used for all kinds of melodic figures in particular those in the very high
register. It has already been stated that the E string diminishes in fullness of tone the higher it ascends
from the limits of the soprano voice. Moreover, melodic figures in the very high register of the violins
become too isolated from the rest of the ensemble unless doubled in octaves. Such doubling secures
expression, fullness of tone and firmness of timbre. The reader will find numerous examples of violins in
octaves; a few are added below, chiefly broad and expressive phrases. (*1)
Score References & Musical Examples Using GPO:

No. 22. The Tsar's Bride, Section 166 - Violins I and Violins II in octaves. Cantabile, piano.
Click on Play Button below to Play from the Score

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No. 23. The Legend of Tsar Saltan, Section 227 - Violins I and Violins II in octaves.
Melody with reiterated notes, dolce, express. e cantabile.
Click on Play Button below to Play from the Score

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No. 24. The Christmas Night , Section 210. Violins I and Violins II doubling the melody in
octaves.
1st Violins play the melody in the upper octave, and the 2nd Violins can play the
octave below. In this way the predominant higher notes will be diminished, the
melody will acquire a clearer and more pleasant sound, and the expressive tone
quality of the lower octave will be strengthened.
Click on Play Button below to Play from the Score

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No. 25. Ivan the Terrible, Act III, Section 63 - Violins I and Violins II in octaves.
Click on Play Button below to Play from the Score

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Other References:
The Tsar's Bride, Section 206. Cantabile, mezzo-piano; the lower part is in unison with the soprano
voice;
Sheherazade, 3rd movement, Section J , Cantabile in G major; dolce and cantabile (the same as Ex.
12);
Sadko, Symphonic tableau, Section 12, Violins I and II (muted) in octaves. A short dance phrase
pianissimo, given first to the violas, theta to the violins (cf. Ex. 6);
* The Golden Cockerel, Section 156;
* The Golden Cockerel, Section 165;
* Antar, 1st movement, Section 11;

b) Violins divisi

in octaves.

First and second violins divided in two parts and progressing in octaves will deprive the melody of
resonance, since the number of players is diminished by half, the consequences being especially noticeable
in small orchestras. Nevertheless the method can be used occasionally when the strings are doubled by the
wood-wind, and when the melody falls in a sufficiently high register. (*2)
Score References & Musical Examples Using GPO:

No. 26. Snegourotchka, Section 238 - Chorus of Flowers - 2 Solo Violins and Violins
divisi octaves. Pianissimo cantabile in two octaves, progressing with the women's chorus (Sopr. I), and given
out earlier by the Engish horn. The flute and all the 1st Violins except two play in the lower octave, the two
solo violins, only, in the upper. The solo desk will be sufficiently prominent owing to the general pianissimo.
Click on Play Button below to Play from the Score

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Other References:
Snegourotchka, Section 166. Violins I and Violins II divisi in octaves. mezzo-forte espressivo. Partial
Doubling of Coupava's song (Sopr.) One flute and one oboe double the melody.

c) Violins

and Violas

in octaves.

First and second Violins progressing with the Violas in octaves is a common method, especially when the
lower octave in the melody happens to go below the open G string on the violins.

Score References & Musical Examples Using GPO:

No.27. Snegourotchka, Section 231 - Violins 1 and Violins II in unison, doubled an octave below
by the Violas.
Violas
Click on Play Button below to Play from the Score

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No. 28. Snegourotchka, Section 137, finale of Act I -Violins I, doubled an octave below by the
Violins II in unison with Violas. Cantible phrase, transmitted in flute and clarinet (cf. Ex. 8).
Click on Play Button below to Play from the Score

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Other References:
Snegourotchka, Section 137, finale of Act I.Violins 1 and Violins in unison, doubled an octave below by the
Violas. Quick Melody, piano.

The distribution: Violins 1 and Violins in unison, doubled an octave below by the Violas; and, Violins 1,
doubled an octave below by the Violins II in unison with Violas - are not exactly the same. The first should
be used to obtain greater brilliance in the upper part, the second to give the lower part a fuller and more
cantabile quality.

d) Violas

and Violoncellos

in octaves.

Of special use when the Violins are otherwise employed.

Other References:
* Legend of Kitesh, Section 59, Violas and Cellos in octaves, doubled by bassoons.

e) Violins

and Violoncellos

in octaves.

Used in very expressive passages where the 'cellos have to play on the A or D strings. This method produces
a more resonant tone than the preceding one; instances of it are frequent.

Score References & Musical Examples Using GPO:

No. 29. Antar, Section 43 - Violins I and Violins II in unison, doubled an octave below by the
Cellos. Cantabile of Eastern origin.
Click on Play Button below to Play from the Score

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No. 30. Shererazade, 3rd movement, before Section P - Violins I doubled an octave
below by the Violins II and Cellos in unison; and Violins I and Violins II in unison, doubled an
octave below by the Cellos. The first arrangement is rarely found.

Click on Play Button below to Play from the Score

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Other References:
Sheherazade, 3rd movement - Violins I and Cellos in octaves. Cantabile mezzo-forte appassionato (cf. Ex. 1);
Pan Voyevoda, Section134 , nocturne "Moonlight" - Violins I and Cellos in octaves.. Cantibile melody given first
to 'cellos alone (cf. Ex. 7);
The May Night, Act III Le, 0,51 All Violins and Cellos in octaves. A forte melodic phrase.

f) Violoncellos

and Double basses

in octaves.

The bass is usually constricted in this manner. Examples of it are to be found everywhere. Sometimes the
double bass part is simplified in comparison with the 'cello part.
Other References:
Snegourotchka, Section 9.Fairy Spring's Aria.

g) Violas

and Double basses

in octaves.

This combination seldom arises and is only used when the Cellos are otherwise employed.

Score References & Musical Examples Using GPO:

No. 31. Legend of Kitesh, Section 223 -Violas and Double basses in octaves.
Click on Play Button below to Play from the Score

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h) Parts progressing in octaves, each part doubled in unison. Melodies situated in the middle orchestral range
may be allotted to 1st and 2nd Violins in octaves with Violas and 'Cellos. This arrangement is constantly found, and
produces a beautiful quality of tone, somewhat severe in character.
Other References:
cf. Example No. 24: Sadko, Section 207.
Snegourotchka, Sections 58, 60 , 65 and 68 . The same melody, played twice pianissimo, not doubled, then twice
(mezzo-forte and forte), doubled in the wood-wind;
Mlada, Act II, the beginning of the Lithuanian dance. A lively piano theme;
Ivan the Terrible, Act II, Section 28.

ote: It may be of use to point out that melodies lying in the extreme upper register, e. g. those exceeding the middle of the
5th octave, are generally doubled an octave below, whilst those situated in the extreme low register (below the middle of the 15'
octave) are doubled an octave higher.
Progression in octaves of divided strings of the same kind is generally to be avoided. For example, Violas 1 +
Cellos 1 + Double basses 1 in unison, doubled an octave below by Violas + Cellos II + Double basses II, is to be
avoided

For, in such cases the parts are played on strings which do not correspond, and unity of tone is
impaired. This, however, does not apply to violins.

ote: The following distribution is ocassionally found:

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Violas and Cellos I in unison, doubled an octave below by Cellos and Double basses.

Melody in double octaves.

a) Violins I and II and Violas in double octaves (or with Violins I and II and Cellos in double octaves)

Melody in double octaves by the Violins I and II and Violas (or with Violins I and II and Cellos)
may be used for full cantabile melodies extremely tense in character, and in forte passages for
choice.
Score References & Musical Examples Using GPO:

No. 32. Antar, Section 223 - Melody by Violins I in octaves, with double octaves below by the
Violin II in octaves with the Violas and Cellos:
Click on Play Button below to Play from the Score

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b) Violins in octaves doubled the octaves below with Cellos and Double basses (or double octaves with
Violins and Violas, Cellos and Double basses; or Violins and Violas in octaves, doubled the octaves below by Cellos and
Double basses).

These combinations are employed when the low register of each instrument in brought into play, and also to suit
phrases of a rough and severe character.
Score References & Musical Examples Using GPO:

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No. 33. Snegourotchka, Section 215, Tumblers' Dance -Violins and Violas in octaves
doubled the octaves below with Cellos and Double basses.

Click on Play Button below to Play from the Score

Note: The lack of balance with the Violins and Violas in octaves doubled the octaves below with Cellos and
Double basses.

This is not of any great importance, for in such cases, the partial harmonics of one octave
support the tone of the other, and vice versa.
Other References:
* Legend of Kitesh, Section 66, opening of 2nd act.

Doubling in three and four octaves.

The distribution of Violins, Violas, Cellos and Double basses doubling in three and four octaves apart is rarely found,
and as a rule, only when supported by wind instruments. (*3)

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Other References:
Legend of Kitesh, Section 150 (allargando);
Sheherazade, 4rd movement, commencing on the 10th bar.

Melody in Strings: Three and Four Octave Displacement Exercise

1. Click and refer to the background score here

2. Load the background track MP3 in your MP3 player or sequencer. For the MP3 click here.
For a dry version MP3, if you want a more intimate sound click here.
2. Load the Three or Four Octave MIDI file into a sequencer or notation program supporting GPO
and assign instruments accordingly. For the MIDI file click here.
3. Create melodic content preferably with all groups as described in the above section "Doubling in
Three and Four Octaves" If using 3 octave displacement, one group would either have to be left out
or used in unison with another.
Note: Here is but one possible example using various stringed instruments. For the test example
click here.

Melody in thirds and sixths.

In confiding a melody in thirds to the strings it is frequently necessary to use the same quality of tone in
both parts, but in the case of a melody in sixths different timbres may be employed. In writing thirds
doubled in octaves, the first and second violins should be used. In spite of the difference in the quantity of
players, the thirds will not sound unequal. The same arrangement may obtain in the viola and 'cello groups,
but it is useless in the case of melody in sixths.
Score References & Musical Examples Using GPO:

No. 34. Legend of Kitesh, Section 34 -Violins I playing the melody divisi in thirds, doubled
an octave below with Violins II playing divisi in thirds.

Click on Play Button below to Play from the Score

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Other References: cf. Example 31: Legend of Kitesh, Section 39, Violins I divisi playing the melody
in thirds with Violins II divisi, doubled an octave below with Violins I divisi playing the melody in
thirds with Violins II divisi.
Legend of Kitesh, Section 39, Violins I playing the melody in sixthes with Violas.

GPO Exercise - Melody in Strings Instruments: Thirds & Sixths Exercise

1. Refer to the background score and the melody score. For the background score click here. For the
melody score click here.
2. Load the background track MP3 in your MP3 player or sequencer. For the background track MP3
click here.
For a dry version if you want a more intimate sound, click here.
3. Load the given MIDI file either into a sequencer or notation program supporting GPO and assign
instruments accordingly. For the MIDI file click here.
4. Take the given melody and place it in the Violins at the written pitch by notation or playing it into
a sequencer. Now either write out or play in(depending on software used) with VLNs 1 the exact
phrasing and rythmn using 3rds and 6ths below the melody(VLNs 1 divis). Once that is established
you may want to add VLNs 2 an octave below doing the exact same thing.
Here is but one possible example.
Note: Use Example #34 for reference and feel free to copy the RK example and double VLNs 1 with
flutes and VLNs 2 with clarinets. The midi is set up for this option.
(note, the MIDI are optimized for sequencers, however balance issues may vary from system to system)

Distribution in octaves, thirds, and sixths is usually regulated by the normal register of the respective
instruments, so as to avoid any suggestion of mannerism resulting from the disturbance of balance. But
such a departure from the recognised order may be permitted in special cases. For instance, in the
following example of writing in sixths the upper part is allotted to the 'cellos, the lower part to the violins
on the G string; this arrangement produces a quality of tone distinctly original in character.
Score References & Musical Examples Using GPO:

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No. 35. Spanish Capriccio, Section D - Cellos playing in sixths with Violins I and II.

Click on Play Button below to Play from the Score

Melody in Strings: Cellos Above Violins Exercise

1. Refer to the background score and the melody score here. For the background score click here.
For the melody score click here.
2. Load the backgound track MP3 in your MP3 player or sequencer. For the MP3 click here.
3. Load the given MIDI file either into a sequencer or notation program supporting GPO and assign
instruments accordingly. For the MIDI file click here.
4. Take the given melody and place it in the cellos at the written pitch by notation or playing it into
a sequencer. Now either write out or play in(depending on software used) with either VLNs 1 or
VLNs 1+2 ect the exact phrasing and rythmn either a 3rd or 6th below(in this case tritone intervals
can be used with certain backing harmonies, however the ability to keep it in 3rds and 6ths is
possible. The whole point being keeping the violins melody below the cellos melody).
Note: Here is but one possible example:
You can also use example #35 for reference.

SUMMARY EXERCISES:

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Melody in Strings Summary Exercise 1

In this exercise you will experiment with adding a various stringed instrument melodies to a
background track of harp, bass, clarinets and bassoons.
1. Click and refer to the background score. For the background score click here.
2. Load the backgound track MP3 in your MP3 player or seque

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