Note I. It may be of use to point out that melodies lying in the extreme upper register, e.g. those exceeding the middle of the 5th octave, are generally doubled an octave below, whilst those situated in the extreme low register (below the middle of the 1st octave) are doubled an octave higher.
Examples:
Sadko 207 (cf. [Ex. 24]).
Note II. Progression in octaves of divided strings of the same kind is generally to be avoided:
| Violas I Violas II, | 'Cellos I 'Cellos II, | D. basses I D. basses II | >[ | 8, |
for, in such cases the parts are played on strings which do not correspond, and unity of tone is impaired. This, however, does not apply to violins.
Note III. The following distribution is occasionally found:
| Violas + 'Cellos I D. basses + 'Cellos II | >[ | 8. |
Melody in double octaves.
| a) | Vns I | ] | 8 | or | Vns I | ] | 8 |
| Vns II Violas | ] | 8 | Vns II 'Cellos | ] | 8 |