SCORDATURA (mis-tuning). A term used to designate some abnormal tunings of the violin which are occasionally employed to produce particular effects. The scordatura originated in the lute and viol, which were tuned in various ways to suit the key of the music. Their six strings being commonly tuned by fourths, with one third in the middle, the third was shifted as occasion required, and an additional third or a fifth was introduced elsewhere, so as to yield on the open strings as many harmonies as possible: in old lute music the proper tuning is indicated at the beginning of the piece. This practice survives in the guitar. The normal tuning being as at (
a), very striking effects in the key of E major, for instance, may be produced by tuning the instrument as at (
b).
The scordatura was formerly often employed on the violin, (1) The tuning (
c) is extremely favourable to simplicity of fingering in the key of A. It is employed by Tartini in one of his solos, and by Castrucci in a well-known fugue: its effect is noisy and monotonous. It is frequently employed by Scotch reel-players, and in their hands has a singularly rousing effect. The following strain from 'Kilrack's Reel' is a specimen:
[App. p.791 "In the second musical example it should be mentioned that the player reads the music as if the scordatura had not been introduced, so that the first phrase sounds in the key of A."] The reel called 'Appin House' and the lively Strathspey called 'Anthony Murray's Reel' are played in the same tuning. (2) The tuning (d) employed by Biber, is a modification of (a) [App. p.791 "(c)"], a fourth being substituted for a fifth on the first string: and (3) the tuning (e) also employed by Biber, is a similar modification of the normal tuning by fifths. In these tunings the viol fingering must be used on the first strings. (4) The tuning (f) employed by Nardini in his Enigmatic Sonata, is the reverse of the last, being a combination of the common tuning for the first two strings with the viol tuning in the lower ones. (5) The tuning (g) is employed by Barbella in his 'Serenade' and by Campagnoli in his 'Notturno,' to imitate the Viola d'amore, from the four middle strings of which it is copied. Thick first and second strings should be used, and the mute put on. The effect is singularly pleasing: but the G and A on the second string are flat and dull. (6) The tuning (h) employed by Lolli, is the normal tuning except the fourth string, which is tuned an octave below the third. If a very stout fourth string is used, a good bass accompaniment is thus obtainable.
Such are a few of the abnormal tunings employed by the old violinists. The scordatura is seldom used by modern players except on the fourth string, which is often tuned a tone higher, as at (
i). (De Beriot, Mazas, Prume, etc.) This device may always be employed where the composition does not descend below A; the tone is much increased, and in some keys, especially D and A, execution is greatly facilitated. Paganini tuned his fourth string higher still, as at (
j) and (
k), with surprising effect: the B♭ tuning was a favourite one with De Beriot.
Paganini's tuning in flats (
l) cannot be called scordatura, as it consists in elevating the violin generally by half a tone, for the sake of brilliancy. The same device was employed by Spohr in his duets for harp and violin, the harp part being written in flats a semitone higher. The fourth string is rarely lowered: but Baillot sometimes tuned it a semitone lower, as at (
m), to facilitate arpeggios in the sharp keys.
The scordatura (
n) is employed by Bach in his fifth sonata for the violoncello. It corresponds to the violin tuning (
d). This depression of the first string, if a thick string be used, is not unfavourable to sonority. When the scordatura is used, suitable strings should be obtained. Thicker ones are necessary where the pitch is depressed, and thinner ones where it is elevated: and the player will find it best to keep a special instrument for any tuning which he frequently employs.
