SCORDATURA Meaning and
Definition
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Scordatura is a term derived from Italian composition and is used in reference to a technique employed in music where the tuning of one or more strings on a stringed instrument is changed from their standard pitch. It is most commonly associated with the violin family of instruments, but can also be applied to other stringed instruments.
The purpose of scordatura is to achieve new and unique sonorities, expand the expressive capabilities of the instrument, or to simplify the execution of certain passages. By modifying the tuning, the intervals and resonances produced by the strings are altered, resulting in a distinct and often unconventional sound.
Scordatura can be implemented in a variety of ways depending on the composer's intentions. It can involve tuning a specific string(s) higher or lower than their normal pitch, or changing the entire tuning system of the instrument. The notation for scordatura is typically indicated on the musical score, specifying the desired altered pitch for the affected string(s).
Some notable composers, such as Biber, Vivaldi, and Paganini, employed scordatura extensively in their compositions, showcasing the versatility and potential of the technique. While scordatura can present technical challenges for the performer due to the unfamiliar fingerings and positions required, it also opens up a realm of creative possibilities for both composers and instrumentalists.
Etymology of SCORDATURA
The word "scordatura" comes from the Italian language. It is a combination of two words: "scor" meaning "out of tune" and "datura" which likely refers to the plant called "jimsonweed" or "devil's trumpet" in English. Jimsonweed contains toxic alkaloids and has long been associated with hallucinations and altered states of consciousness, perhaps alluding to the unconventional tuning of instruments. Therefore, "scordatura" can be understood as a term used to describe the intentional alteration of the standard tuning of a musical instrument, particularly stringed instruments such as the violin, viola, or cello.
