Fingerboard

As the conductor raised his baton, I hastily positioned myself to get ready; planting my bow in its place, I silently tapped the opening chords on my fingerboard as I eyed the conductor for the starting cue. His face glared at us with immense intensity as he pounded the tempo on his chest, and with a wave of his hand, the bombastic fanfare of the trumpets marked the beginning of the concert. Tapping my foot against the wooden floor, I followed the progression of the conductor’s energetic…

time the art was created. I can say that this claim is true, simply by stating my past experiences observing any kind of art. When I play my cello, I unleash myself into the world of Bach and Beethoven and let my fingers glide through the fingerboard and let them utter words and feelings from the past. The sounds created has never lost meaning or emotion through all of the millions of musicians, the suspension of disbelief has been present through all of us,and has enabled the language of…

Jessica Liu MUSI 2361 Paper One: Jiangnan sizhu The term sizhu is a musical term that has been used all throughout history in East Asian countries especially Taiwan and China, which describes what the instruments in the genre are made of. Si meaning silk, which is what the strings are made up of in string instruments, and zhu meaning bamboo, which is what the wind instruments in Jiangnan sizhu, are made of. Despite the fact that sizhu is used in different countries, Jiangnan is a “geographical…

The Lute The lute, the most prolific instrument during the 16th century, was “in almost universal use in western Europe” because it was treasured for its ability to arouse emotions through its “expressive and finely shaded tone”. Since the lute was so abundant during the Renaissance period “it is one of the first instruments for which we find any large quantity of written music” in which polyphonic singing and secular songs as well as dances were merged together. The lute, because it was so…

because an unamplified double bass is usually the quietest instrument in a jazz band, many players of the 1920s and 1930s created the slap style. This style consisted of slapping and pulling the strings to make a rhythmic "slap" sound against the fingerboard. For many, a technique so unique and so unusual to many other instruments that it makes up a big part in playing the bass, especially in Jazz as many famous bassists such as Milt Hinton. The slap style cuts through the sound of a band…

My guitar is not a thing. It is an extension of myself. It is who I am. ______ Joan Jett You need an acoustic guitar but not an ordinary one. You need one which is the best acoustic guitar for you. Keep in mind that different people playing style, and tonal perception is different. A guitar which one is perfect for your friend may not be the best acoustic guitar for you. You have to find out one which is perfect for you. Let’s face the truth. Finding the best acoustic guitar is not easy. If…

A choice has been made to pick this delicate instrument, a weapon of my choice—the violin. Carefully, one removes the seals from the case it has been resting in—it made a soft clicking sound like the locks from a prisoner’s cage. The case opens slowly revealing what was inside of it. The instrument patiently waits for its master as it lays on its furry navy blue bed. Silence filled the room as each one stare at each other and talk with their amazed eyes. The violin was glistening with beauty;…

Nicknamed the “Bull fiddle”, the bass is one of a handful of instruments that played a significant role in the development of music during the 20th century. The bass gained much of its momentum as the popularity of the New Orleans brass and jazz bands was spreading throughout the US, and it eventually took on such an essential role that it was forced to evolve. The new bass players were slowly transitioning the bass from accompaniment to a solo instrument. As it moved from the background to the…

Crystal Au MUSI-103-005 Professor Sarmientos 3 December 2014 Shamisen in Traditional Japanese Music The shamisen plays a prominent role in kabuki and Bunraku dance and dialogue. The shamisen is part of the chobo that consists of the singer, gidayu, and the shamisen player. The shamisen is a three stringed lute with a lengthy neck. It originated from the sanxian, a Chinese instrument that was introduced to Japan through the Ryukyu Kingdom during the 16th century. It turned into the sanshin…

Thesis: While it is necessary for violinists and all string players to understand the instruments and techniques which are commonly used in performance today, it is just as important to know the origins of these items and concepts in order to fully gain mastery and understanding. While many musicians pay great attention to music history and theory from the Baroque Period onward, the early history of the violin and bowed instruments is sadly undervalued. Ancient String Instruments: String…