Violin Colors (sound) what is it exactly?
This is probably a weird question and would be difficult to explain but I really do want to know. Please be aware that I have no previous music background and am simply an adult begginer to violin.
I have watched some discussion videos about violins (ie instructions, violin reviews, etc.) and often the world "colorful" comes up when doscussing the sound produced. The one specific I can remember is a review of some string brands and the reviewer said "this string brand is not very colorful"
How exactly do different "colors" sound? Os there some sort of video I can watch saying "this sounds ___ and this one sounds ____" I've only ever used those cheap steel string that come with a cheap violin and Domants with Gold Label E.
I have watched a lot of violin video playing and yes I hear some passages are sweeter or others are more aggresive sounding, etc. But overall I thought this was all due to the violinist palying it and their technique not because of what strings they have or what their violin is like. Am I wrong?
Replies (5)
"Color" or "timber" is heard as the result of the overtone (frequency) distribution of notes played and the frequency sensitivity of the hearer's ears (their entire sonic apparatus). The player typically enhances this with vibrato and also varies it with bowing technique. Beyond this simple description it gets rather complicated - but better instruments, combined with the right strings, bows, and even rosin(s) can really help open up a "rainbow of colors" - with the right player. But with some instruments you know they have the potential for producing incredible color even when you do simple bowing of a few notes - you hear the overtones of them all and sense how they would be further combined and expressed with vibrato.
I attended a MIDORI masterclass a couple of months ago - small group so I was near her - and although she herself did not play much, every time she did it was enough to bring tears to my eyes and shivers to the rest of me. That's color!
https://youtu.be/dk6tqaPLp5M
Watch this (and ignore some intonation). This might give you an idea.
Wow! Thanks everyone for the explanation and video! :)
The violin was invented to emulate the soprano voice. Think about a good soprano, as Maria Callas, she could wisper love arias in pianissimo, as well as ask for "vendetta" in a fortissimo, edgy voice.
A good violin - in the hands of a good player - will be able to do that.
To create sound colors you will need a generous dynamic range. You can assess this by drawing your bow from the end of the fingerboard towards the bridge, and increasing the bow weight while you do that, a dramatic change is sound volume and color will be noticed in a good instrument.
And, yes, it is hard to get, only good violins will offer that.
This discussion has been archived and is no longer accepting responses.
Violinist.com is made possible by...
Dimitri Musafia, Master Maker of Violin and Viola Cases
Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition
Johnson String Instrument/Carriage House Violins
Subscribe
Laurie's Books
Discover the best of Violinist.com in these collections of editor Laurie Niles' exclusive interviews.
Violinist.com Interviews Volume 1, with introduction by Hilary Hahn
Violinist.com Interviews Volume 2, with introduction by Rachel Barton Pine
April 27, 2017 at 11:44 PM · Vicky, color is timbre (or tone quality), which can be affected by the instrument, the type of strings, bow used, the setup, and yes, very much by the player.
By the way, there's nothing wrong with dominants, which I know quite a few very fine professional violinists are using them.