more flowing than if they change bow direction
(FIG. 2)
for each note. If you look at the 4th and 5th
bars of figure 1, you can see that I have slurred
the 16th notes, but left the 8th notes on their
own. In reality, this creates a slight gap after
each 8th note, and also gives the 8th notes a
stronger accent, which gives the whole phrase
a lot more shape than it would have without the
slurs.
Just to change things up, I used the opposite
of slurred, legato bowing in pre-chorus 3
(3:24). Coming out of a quiet, stripped back
verse 3, I reintroduced the strings with a unison
staccato line in violins, violas and cello (figure
3). This ostinato continues right throughout the
pre-chorus, regardless of the chord changes
happening around it. You'll see it starts at a
soft dynamic, and gradually builds in intensity
through to the chorus. This kind of writing
somewhat mimics a mid-range muted guitar
line with a U2 inspired dotted 8th delay - it above any theoretical knowledge, is to write a don’t string it! I think I’m going to get that on a
just keeps burbling in the background. On line that is sing-able. My first point of call when bumper sticker.
the recording, you don’t really hear it until the I’m starting an arrangement is to hit play on the 2nd half of the section as it gradually builds track, and then just sing along. When I hear a Happy arranging! Portions of arrangement used
in volume and the timbre becomes brighter, line that I like, I start writing, but the first thing I by permission of Hillsong Music Publishing
before exploding into the final choruses. do is sing. You don’t need to be a great singer
(my friends all know that I’m not!), but singing
My final point about writing string arrangements is the best way to find a great line that works
for this article probably should have been first. with the melody of the song and what the
The key to writing great string arrangements, other instruments are doing. If you can’t sing it,
58
November 2019
Jared Haschek
Jared Haschek has arranged strings and horns for
albums such as Hillsong Worship's There Is More
and The Peace Project, Hillsong United's Wonder,
Highlands Worship's Jesus You Alone and River
Valley Worship's A Million Lifetimes.
www.JaredHaschek.com
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