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The string family is
made up of four wooden, stringed instruments - the violin, the viola, the cello, and the double bass. |
Violin-
Violin is a wooden stringed instrument, the highest of the string family and of an typical string orchestra. There are four string, the G, D, A, and E. The violin has a sweet sound and is described as "the sound of the soul." The violin is only used in orchestras. This is the J.S. Bach:3 Partita (Gigue). This is played by Hilary Hahn and the Frankfurt Radio Symphony. |
Viola-
The viola is a wooden stringed instrument, the second highest in the string family. The viola is slightly larger than the violin, and slightly lower. The viola has four strings, C,G,D, and A. The viola has a more dark, resonant sound, and is often compared to the human voice. This is "Trauermusik" by Paul Hindemith, played by Antoine Tamestit and the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra. To hear the slower side of the viola, start at 1:44. To hear the more technical side, start at 4:37. |
Cello-
The cello is a larger wooden stringed instrument. Cellos can be up to about 5 feet tall. They have a dark, rich, resonant tone, which plays a variety of different styles. The cello has a wide range, that is most similar to the range of the human voice. The cello can play bass lines, or high enough that the rest of the orchestra can play. under it. This is the Prelude of the Bach Cello Suite No 1, one of the most famous pieces ever written for cello. This is played by Yo-Yo Ma. |
Double bass-
The double bass is the largest and lowest of the normal string family in an orchestra. The build of the double bass is similar to that of the cello, just much larger. The double bass has a deep, low, dark sound and tone. This is the Giovanni Bottesinni Concerto for Double Bass No 2 in B minor. To hear the slower side of the bass, start at the beginning. To hear the faster more technical side, start at 5:00. |