New Music, New Sounds!

New Music, New Sounds

Composers love experimenting to create new timbres and techniques. It's often what gives new music its unique sound! But what are some of the reasons composers use these new sounds? And how can we—as performers—play these sounds in the best way possible, so that they sound just as beautiful and compelling as when we play the instrument "normally"?

To find out, check out the some of the videos down below for more info on some of the most commonly-used new-music sounds:

Pizzicato (plucking)

Harmonics

Sul Ponticello (on the bridge)

New Sounds: tonlos, crunch tone, and circular bow

Cello Solos Today is a project in partnership with the Talea Ensemble and made possible in part through the generous funding of New Music USA and the Juilliard Entrepreneurship Grant.