Sul do

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the viola or cello staff as sul C (commoner than sul do), or by the Roman numeral IV, with a bracket or dashed line for its span. It ends with the bracket or the next string indication.

Abbreviations: sul C

How Composers Use It

The C string gives violas and cellos their darkest, most resonant colour, and keeping a melody on it in higher positions produces a covered, intense sound. Notes high on the C string are slower to speak and harder to tune, so allow time and avoid rapid passagework there.

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