Performance of music with an electronic violin
János Négyesy, Lee Ray · The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America · 1990
An electronic violin can produce signals suitable for controlling electronic music instruments such as synthesizers and digital sound recording and playback systems (“samplers”). In performances for audiences or for purposes of recording, the sounds made by these instruments can augment or be substituted for the sound coming from the violin itself. Consequently, it is possible to specify such novel results of performance as having sounds become quieter the more vigorously the strings are bowed, having bells or other instruments sound when the strings are bowed, or having sounds come from a variety of locations. Compositional and performance practice of music using the electronic violin recognizes that it can function as a controller as well as a soundmaking instrument in its own right. The nature of its interaction with other soundmaking resources must be specified along with the other elements of music making such as pitch and form. Several musical examples from various uses of the electronic violin will be shown from videotape and discussed.