Violin where a stopped note sounds a unison or octave with another (open) string, causing it to resonate sympathetically. Students often use these ringing tones to check the intonation of the stopped note by seeing if it is harmonious with the open string. For example, when playing the stopped pitch "A" on the G string, the violinist could play the open D string at the same time, to check the intonation of the stopped "A". If the "A" is in tune, the "A" and the open D string should produce a harmonious perfect fourth. Violins are tuned in perfect fifths, like
Poème élégiaque in D minor, Op.12 (Ysaÿe) for violin and orchestra; "Amitié, Op. 26" for two violins and orchestra, "Poème nocturne, Op. 29" for violin, cello, and orchestra; "Harmonies du soir, Op. 31" for string quartet and string orchestra. This crucial work of Ysaÿe's, which ignited his passion for poem compositions, was inspired by Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet". Ysaÿe builds on the virtuoso pieces of the 19th century and utilizes devices such as "scordatura", in which the violin's lowest string is tuned down to give it a darker, warmer timbre. The beginning of this piece, marked "soutenu et calme", opens with a very lyrical theme from the