scordatura

[ skawr-duh-toor-uh; Italian skawr-dah-too-rah ]

noun

, Music.

, plural scor·da·tu·re [skawr-d, uh, -, toor, -ey, skaw, r, -dah-, too, -, r, e], scor·da·tu·ras.

1. the tuning of a stringed instrument in other than the usual way to facilitate the playing of certain compositions.

Word History and Origins

Origin of scordatura¹

First recorded in 1875–80; from Italian, equivalent to scordat(o), past participle of scordare “to be out of tune” (from Latin discordāre; discord ) + -ura noun suffix

Example Sentences

The first thing you have to do is get the score translated into what I call scordatura notation, where what you hear is not what you see.

From New York Times

The abrasive sound of a scordatura violin colors the second movement, but the concertmaster, Frank Huang, slyly played it straight, letting the instrument’s fiendish, squirrelly sound speak for itself.

From New York Times

Five years ago, Dudamel premiered Icelandic composer Daníel Bjarnason’s “Scordatura,” a violin concerto written for Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto.

From Los Angeles Times

“Scordatura,” which begins strangely with the violinist playing a duet with himself, whistling while plucking strings of his violin, is an enthralling vehicle for Kuusisto.

From Los Angeles Times

The Planets With Dudamel Gustavo Dudamel leads the LA Phil and women of the Los Angeles Master Chorale in Holst’s suite for orchestra; program also includes the world premiere of Daníel Bjarnason’s “Scordatura.”

From Los Angeles Times