What is scordatura in music?
Q: What is scordatura in music?
A: Scordatura in music is a technique in which players of string instruments tune their strings to different notes from a normal tuning.
Q: What does the word "scordatura" mean?
A: The word "scordatura" is an Italian word which means "mistuning".
Q: What instruments was the scordatura technique used for?
A: The scordatura technique was used for lutes, guitars, viols and instruments of the violin family.
Q: How does scordatura affect the sound of an instrument?
A: Using a scordatura tuning makes the instrument sound different. For example, a string tuned to a slightly higher note will sound louder and brighter because it is tighter.
Q: What needs to be taken care of when tuning a string to a higher note?
A: Care has to be taken not to tune a string to a note that is too high as it will break.
Q: What is the advantage of scordatura in string-crossing?
A: Scordatura makes it possible to play unusual chords or combinations of notes in string-crossing (when the bow moves quickly from one string to another).
Q: How does a composer indicate scordatura tuning in the music?
A: When a composer writes for an instrument using scordatura tuning, he shows at the beginning of the music what notes the strings must be tuned to. The music is then written, not as it sounds, but so that the player can read it as if the instrument were being played normally.
