This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. German to English

Strich (music term)

English translation: articulation; bowing

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Strich (music term)
English translation:articulation; bowing
Entered by: Nikita Kobrin

13:34 Jan 14, 2003
German to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary / music term
German term or phrase: Strich (music term)
This is a music term. I would like to know its English equivalent.

"Strich" is a method of playing a musical instrument in terms of expressiveness. Main types of "Strich"'s were initially established for string instruments. "Strich" is based on special manner of a bow movement. Main "Strich"'s: legato, detache, staccato, spiccado.
Nikita Kobrin
Lithuania
Local time: 00:32
articulation
Explanation:
I agreed to wiemeyer´s "bowing" above, and I stand by this if it is referring to bowed instruments. But for the more general application, where for example it refers to flute parts, or even keyboard, you obviously can´t use this.

The more general term is "articulation".
Selected response from:

Chris Rowson (X)
Local time: 23:32
Grading comment
Both Wiemeyer and Chris are right but unfortunately I can't share KudoZ points btwn them.

Thanx to all of the participants.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +5bowing
Esther Wiemeyer
5 +2articulation
Chris Rowson (X)
4tenuto
Doris Marka
4sostenuto or sustained
Marie Scarano
3stroke
Klaus Dorn (X)


  

Answers


22 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +5
bowing


Explanation:
the technique of using the bow in playing a violin, viola, cello, or related instrument

Collins Dictionary of the English Language

Esther Wiemeyer
Local time: 23:32
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in pair: 16

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Chris Rowson (X)
28 mins
agree  Alison Schwitzgebel
42 mins
agree  Armorel Young
1 hr
agree  Cécile Kellermayr
3 hrs
agree  Norbert Hermann
8 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

26 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
stroke


Explanation:
A current issue in marimba performance is the role of legato and staccato stroke techniques in controlling note articulation characteristics. ...


    Reference: http://www.auditory.org/asamtgs/asa94mit/3pMU/3pMU3.html
Klaus Dorn (X)
Local time: 00:32
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in pair: 1514

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Martin Schmurr: you don't play marimba with a bow
46 mins
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

34 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
tenuto


Explanation:
"A directive to perform a certain note or chord of a composition in a sustained manner for longer than its full duration."

The first link describes the "Strich" on a note in german (aequivalent is tenuto, also in english), and the second link describes in english what tenuto is.

Maybe it's this what you are looking for?


    Reference: http://www.mv-st-christina.de/Musikfachbegriffe_q-z.htm
    Reference: http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdictionary/textt/Tenuto.html
Doris Marka
Local time: 23:32
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in pair: 137

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Chris Rowson (X): When it´s a Strich mark, it´s tenuto, but the context is referring to legato, staccato, etc..
18 mins
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

58 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
articulation


Explanation:
I agreed to wiemeyer´s "bowing" above, and I stand by this if it is referring to bowed instruments. But for the more general application, where for example it refers to flute parts, or even keyboard, you obviously can´t use this.

The more general term is "articulation".


    Reference: http://www.candcmusic.net
Chris Rowson (X)
Local time: 23:32
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 768
Grading comment
Both Wiemeyer and Chris are right but unfortunately I can't share KudoZ points btwn them.

Thanx to all of the participants.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Alison Schwitzgebel
6 mins
neutral  Martin Schmurr: Strich comes from streichen and so cannot refer to playing anything but Streichinstrumente
16 mins
  -> The context says "... were initially established ..." - I am offering the term for wider application in case the asker wants it.
agree  Heather Starastin: I prefer "articulation", by "bowing" I tend to think more of the up-bow and down-bow marks in a string score (but then I'm a woodwind player!)
1 hr
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
sostenuto or sustained


Explanation:
As a violinist, I seem to remember that this is the German equivalent to the above.
tenuto would be marked with a "corona" -a sort of semicircle with a dot. Other strokes have specific markings or indications as you included in your inquiry (by the way - spiccato with a "t"). In any case, most of these terms are used in their original language in manuscripts - usually German or Italian, less often in French or English (depending on the composer or the edition). HOpe this has been useful.
Perhaps the English equivalent is simply "expressively" -

Marie Scarano
Italy
Local time: 23:32
Native speaker of: English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Martin Schmurr: like in Doris's case: here it's not about a sign in scores but playing techniques
16 mins
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search