Barre Chords:

A Major Step
for solo violin
By Matt Westwood
28/5/2011

Barre Chords: A Major Step aims to explore the potential of a barre chord technique that is
possible using scordatura the G and D strings are tuned down a Major 2nd. When the lowest 3
open strings are sounded together, an F major chord sounds. When a barre chord is played with
the 2nd finger (in first position), a G major chord sounds. And when a barre chord is played with
the 1st finger (in first position), an A major chord sounds.
The title is a play on words the piece can be thought of as being in A major, with the F and G
chords acting as borrowed chords from A minor, and each of those chords move in step wise
motion. I also believe that the discovery of this barre chord technique is a major step forwards
for rhythmic violin playing, opening up a wide range of possibilities that can be applied to
popular genres of music.

Extended Techniques
Barre Chords:

G major:

A major:

The F major chord, as it uses open strings, gives the performer an opportunity to pivot between the
barre chord position, and the usual playing position. An up arrow above the staff indicates the hand
should pivot into the barre chord position, and the down arrow indicates the hand should pivot into the
usual playing position.
Chop: Lower end of the bow strikes the strings heavily as a percussive effect. The unpitched
scrape of the chop should be the predominant sound, however the notes being fingered should
be heard slightly as well.

Duration: 3 mins

q=150
Scordatura: FCAE

Barre Chords: A Major Step

Matt Westwood

untransposed

f
5
pizz.

p
11

arco

mf

17

23

29

35

ppp

39

mf

43

48

52

arco

pizz.

57

ff

3
3
3
3

62

66

pizz.

arco

88

80

84

pp poco a poco cresc.

72

76

ff

92

97

101

106

111

117

pizz.

arco

mf

122

128

134

fff

Barre Chords: A Major Step

transposed
Matt Westwood

q=150
Scordatura: FCAE

d
8
pizz. sul
arco

mf
p
4

14

sul g

19

24

30

35

3
0

ppp

mf

40

44

48

52

pizz.

55

59

arco

ff

3
3

64

66

4
3
1
1

 pizz.

70

75

85

pp poco a poco cresc.

arco

79

82

ff
92

88

96

mp

100

104

arco
112


pizz.

mf
p

118

108

123

128

ppp

fff

133

138