An extended instrumental technique is an unconventional way of playing an instrument, for example plucking piano strings would be classed as an extended technique as it’s very unusual. However extended techniques can be very extreme to achieve the sound composers may want. One example of a crazy extended technique can be seen in the video game halo infinite, when making the music for a demonic soundtrack they decided to experiment with extended techniques on a piano. They did this by destroying the piano leaving the strings completely exposed, they then put dry ice on the strings which created harsh and demonic sounds.
Extended Technique In Horror Films
Horror movies such as: The Exorcist, Hereditary and Insidious commonly use string instruments to evoke a haunting and organic theme in the music of the film, however the musicians often play these instruments in unconventional ways to create disturbing and evil sounds through the instruments. One extended technique we hear a lot in horror movies is called sul ponticello, this is when the a violin is being bowed very close to the bridge. This brings out the instruments higher harmonics creating a distressing and aggressive tone to the instrument. Another violin technique we can hear often in horror movies is called ‘glissando’ which comes from the French word of glide. This technique is when the finger of the violin is moving up or down the neck of the instrument while being bowed, this causes a smooth glide through the spectrum of notes. You may hear this technique is horror movies when building up tension as it can cause a rising effect in the pitch of the instrument. In the 1960 film physco violins are used to communicate a theme of aggression and violence, in the scene this score takes place a woman is being stabbed. The music reflects on this by making the violins play notes at the very top of their pitch range, the instruments also in techniques of sffz (sudden accents or notes in a chord) and senza sordini (without mute or sustain pedal down). In this score these techniques are very effective in creating a horrifying and aggressive musical score.
Reading List
2021. Bernard Herrmann: Psycho – ‘Prelude’, ‘The City’, ‘Marion’, ‘The Murder (Shower Scene)’, ‘The Toys’, ‘The Cellar’, ‘Discovery’, ‘Finale’ (for component 3: Appraising). [ebook] Pearson, p.3. Available at: <https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/A%20Level/Music/2016/teaching-and-learning-materials/A_level_Herrmann_Psycho_set_work_support_guide.pdf> [Accessed 11 June 2021].
BarnesandMullinsUK, 2012. Violin Technique – Ponticello / Sul Pont. Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDEwJXPl01w> [Accessed 16 June 2021].
Fiddlerman. n.d. Glissando and Portamento on the Violin. [online] Available at: <https://fiddlerman.com/tutorials/advanced-tutorials/glissando-and-portamento-on-the-violin/#:~:text=Glissando%20is%20a%20when%20you,not%20connect%20the%20two%20notes.> [Accessed 11 June 2021].
Halo, 2021. Making Halo Infinite | Audio Field Recordings – Piano Pounding. Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F75L97nVSYg> [Accessed 16 June 2021].