I have a question of how electric string instruments work.

Post Reply New Topic

dude, you write for "violin" in your score. Unless you actually have to choose a session player based on whatever type of violin he/she has just write the part in the sheet first and let the VST handle it. Or, learn the violin yourself - and you'll see how much electric violin sucks compared to an acoustic.
BTW I don't know of any serious violinist who would prefer an electric over an acoustic. Unlike piano there's no weight problem for acoustic. There are easily pick up mics and even wireless systems that remove any hassle from amplifying violin (or just play near a dynamic mic, EZ).
So someone with an electric violin might use it when it's just a jam/playing at a pub and feeling lazy/can't be bothered to use a mic, or just don't wanna bring his expensive acoustic, or weather is too humid/ hot/ crowded place and it is risky to damage the wood, or for the simple reason to impress with the unique "look" (personally I think they are fugly) it's like a keytar a normal keyboard will always be better but the it is for cosmetics.. Electric is also lighter as well so again just something cheaper less risky and plug TRS to amp EZ, and most people can't tell the difference in a whole band mix anyway (through monitor speakers) but trust me electric violin will fail hard every time near an acoustic violin when you are in the same room with both together.

Acoustic and MIDI Orchestration for the Contemporary Composer: A Practical Guide to Writing and Sequencing for the Studio Orchestra

This may be worth buying, although it perhaps would require a small investment, and of course, some effort in reading, taking notes and applying the knowledge found within.

I had a similar book years ago, which gave me a number of quick guides in how to write for various instruments of the orchestra. Such books usually explain what the normal range is for each instrument, as well as the normal approach to playing, as well as some less typical articulations.

Personally i found it quiet an interesting subject and most certainly an empowering one, from being able to simply translate score into midi compositions to allowing the user to perhaps even create / write their own compositions.

Yes, such books will be of great value for people in search of knowledge in this area.

I also came across this electric instrument, the electric xylophone:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiQTXB6Hpls

But how does it work as an electric instrument, because if there are no metal strings, how does it send a small electric current into picks ups then?