Meet the Instruments

The Four Families

The string family is the largest family in the orchestra. They are the largest because it takes many stringed instruments to balance the sounds of the other families in the orchestra. The four major instruments in the string family the VIOLIN, the VIOLA, the CELLO and the DOUBLE BASS. All are built the same way. The instruments are made of many pieces of wood which are glued together. The body of  the instrument is hollow, thus becoming a resonating box for the sound. Four strings (sometimes five on the double bass) made of animal gut, nylon, or steel are wrapped around pegs at one end of the instrument and attached to a tailpiece at the other. They are stretched tightly across a bridge to produce their assigned pitches. All are played by plucking or bowing.

The VIOLIN is by far the most common orchestral instrument.  It is also the smallest out of all the strings and has the highest pitch.  This is usually the first choice of musicians who want to learn a string instrument.

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Sample

Violin

The VIOLA (vee-OH-la) is slightly larger than the violin and has a deeper pitch in comparison.  It is also in the "middle register" of the string family.  Although fewer in number than  the violin, it is still a vital part of the orchestra.

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Sample

Viola

The CELLO (CHELL-o) is still bigger than the violin and viola.  It has a beautiful, mellow sound.  The cello must rest on the floor because it is too big to be held like the violin or viola.

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Sample

Cello

The DOUBLE BASS is the biggest instrument in the string section.  It also plays the widest assortment of music from classical to Broadway to jazz.

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Sample

Double Bass

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