A-Saite

As Printed on a Score

Printed over a string part where a passage should stay on the A string — “A-Saite”, “A Saite”, “auf der A-Saite” — often with a bracket or dashed line marking its extent, and cancelled by another string name or gewöhnlich. It is the violin’s second string (II corda) and the top string of viola and cello (I corda).

Also spelled: A Saite

How Composers Use It

On the violin the A string is bright but rounder than the E, so A-Saite on a high passage keeps it from turning glassy and from changing colour mid-phrase. On viola and cello it is the brightest, most projecting string, the natural home of a solo melody. Name the string only when a player’s usual fingering would choose differently.

Related Terms