The String Family

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The String Family

The string family is made up of four well know instruments: the violin, the viola, the violoncello (cello) and the double bass. Other string instrumer such as the harp, piano and guitar are regularly used in the orchestra and while belonging to both the string and percussion family they are usually classed as percussion instruments.

Violin

Held under the chin and played with a bow. It is the highest sounding string instrument. Music is written in the treble clef. The violin can create many tone colours: happy and bright or sad and reflective

Viola

Also held under the chin and played with a bow. It is slightly larger than the violin and has a deeper, richer tone. Music is written in the alto clef. The alto clef or K clef is used for instruments whose pitch is above and below middle C. For the alto clef middle C is written on the middle line of the staff

Violoncello (Cello)

Played by ysitting on a stool and placing a spike from the base of the instrument into the ground. Music is written in the bass clef. The cello has a smooth, silky tone colour.

Double bass

The player has to sit on a high stool or stand to play this instrument. It can be played with the bow or plucked by the fingers. Music is written in the bass clef. The double bass is the largest member of the string family and has a low, haunting tone colour. Music for the Double Bass is written and octave higher than it sounds.

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