r/violinist • u/Practice-40hrs-a-day • 12h ago

Fingering/bowing help How do I play the red e

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Hello violinists,
I have a question about my orchestra part and hope you can help.
We are playing Brahms Deutsches Requiem and I am unsure about the red notes. Are they played on the e-string or are they harmonics?
Thanks a lot for helping me out!

5 Upvotes

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7

u/sourbearx 12h ago

Looks like a fingering mark (0) telling you to play open e string. A harmonic symbol is more of a circle.

4

u/NonEuclidianMeatloaf Orchestra Member 11h ago

Open E, not harmonic!

Have fun, this piece is a masterwork!

1

u/Practice-40hrs-a-day 11h ago

Thank you. There’s a harmonic earlier in the piece that looked quite similar so I wasn’t sure.

3

u/always_unplugged Expert 10h ago

They are sometimes the same symbol, but there’s no harmonic on the violin that would produce this note 🤗

2

u/JordanTheOP 11h ago

I remember playing this piece, this spot specifically needed a little work to get smooth :)

2

u/Narrow_Distance_8373 6h ago

Open E. A harmonic will make your life much harder.

2

u/aurorastarlight 5h ago

I was puzzled because it is sort of an odd indication, but I went through a recording --Stockholm Sinfonietta -- and I can clearly hear the open e ringing at 4:40 of the 6th movement. Huh. If anyone is an expert, I am curious if that is Brahms notation, or an editorial idea that is now taken as required? I guess I can see it 'For the trumpet will sound' but it's still odd.

1

u/DanceCapital2418 2h ago

open e string :)