Writing A Violin Cue For Xylophone

In writing out a violin cue for xylophone, is it ok to simply copy the violin cue with an octave sign at the begining indicating 2 octaves lower? If so, what is the simplest acceptable indication (hopefully one

without having to write out a broken dotted line underneath)?

If this is simply a cue to allow the xylophone to know when to come in, just write it in any octave you want, as long as the melodic outline is clear and they know they're hearing it on the violin (as long as there isn't a lot of similar material on the violin around that point), they should know what you mean (though I think most musicians would prefer leger lines to an octave line).

If the cue were to be written out with an octave sign indicating 2 octaves lower, what would

be the correct octave sign to use without having to add a broken or dotted line?

In my experience, octaves on a xylophone don't make a very big difference, as some xylophones have different ranges, especially at the low end. I've rarely seen octave signs at all. I would just suggest transposing it to the octave you want, rather than adding in extra lines.

If transposing it down takes it off the staff completely, you probably don't want to hear it that low anyway. Idiophones have a way of disregarding octaves to a certain degree, because of the harsher tone. At least, that's been my experience.

or if you wanted or needed the octave lines, just do the first bar and then write "sempre." This will be easier to read than a lot of ledger lines.

I didn't write out my original question clearly enough. I'll try to restate it more clearly.

I'm writing out the individual parts of an orchestral score.

It's my understanding that a cue should be transposed in the same way that the instrument

using the cue is transposed.

A xylophone sounds two octaves higher than written. So a violin cue written into the

xylophone part should also sound two octaves higher than written, if I am not mistaken.

So the easiest way to make a violin cue sound two octaves higher than written would be

to copy it as it is already written for the violin with an added octave sign at the begining

indicating two octaves down for the entire cue.

It would make it less cluttered visually to use an octave sign without the usual broken

dotted line.

Does this clarify the original post?

You will have to write it as IF for xylophone and inform the violinist to play it two octaves higher by writing 15ma...............(no bracket at the end) and write the word sempre immediately following the dots. Sempre means throughout, yes? Do this only for the first bar.. The violinist will understand that it is for the entire piece.

You will have to write it as IF for xylophone and inform the violinist to play it two octaves higher by writing 15ma...............(no bracket at the end) and write the word sempre immediately following the dots. Sempre means throughout, yes? Do this only for the first bar.. The violinist will understand that it is for the entire piece.

It's a part for xylophone, with a violin cue in it. Still not sure if that's clear.

But besides that, is it generally considered correct to place 15ma....... sempre  (as opposed

to 15ma with a broken line running the entire length of the section)?

Sounds like a good idea to me.