Sounds
A glissando can not just be produced in a horizontal direction by sliding over more strings, but also horizontally by scraping or sliding with the nails, fingers, palm or even different objects on one or more strings (See V. Using Objects).
Three different possible sounds / categories:
1. Scrape (with nail or plectrum)
As the name says, the scrape is performed by scraping with the nail, a plectrum (to prevent the damaging of the nail) or even other objects like a coin or a card (See V. Using Objects) along one or more wire strings. The Slower the gesture, the more the scraping will be audible, the faster, the more it will result in a whistling. In some cases the string can also ring out at the end of the gesture. The dynamic goes from p to mf.
Sylvain Kassap, Another landscape (2008) © Misterioso, Paris.
Fabein Lévy, Les deux ampoules d'un sablier peu à peu se comprennent (1996) © Billaudot, Paris.
Fabein Lévy, Les deux ampoules d'un sablier peu à peu se comprennent (1996) © Billaudot, Paris.
Alain Louvier, L'harpenteur étrange (2010) © Billaudot, Paris.
2. Wired Sounds:
The string is being hold between forefinger and thumb, which slick along the string. The dynamic is depending from the tempo of the gesture, goes from pp to mp and is resulting in a whistling sound.
In some cases after sliding over the string, the string must be also plucked.
Sylvain Kassap, Another landscape (2008) © Misterioso, Paris.
Sylvain Kassap, Claire (2008) © Misterioso, Paris.
3.Whistling Sound
The palm of the hand slides vertically along the wire strings (possible also on the gut strings but less hearable). The dynamic goes from pp to mp and the result is a whistling, windy sound. In some cases the palm can also do round movements along the strings, which will result in a kind of whistling cluster.
Luciano Berio, Sequenza II (1963) © Universal Edition, London.
Lucile Lawrence & Carlos Salzedo, Method for the Harp (1929) © G. Schirmer, New York.
Toshio Hosokawa, Neben dem Fluss (1982) © Schott, Tokyo