String Family http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1DLY4WtI_8

Where do you think the String family got their name?

Four instruments of the String family: Violin Viola Cello Double Bass

The Violin Most widely used instrument in the orchestra Leader of the orchestra plays violin, and sits beside the conductor 4 strings (E A D G) Made of wood Can be played with a bow or plucked (pizzicato) It is the smallest, therefore the highest pitched. First violins and second violins Timbre: sharp and shrill, warm

Viola Listen to the viola What does it look like? How does it sound? Second-smallest instrument Often plays harmony Does not play solo often Timbre: warm, rich, round

Cello Listen to the cello How would you describe the timbre of the cello? Second-biggest string instrument Plays harmony, but versatile solo instrument Played with cellist sitting down Timbre: Deep, warm, rich

Double Bass Listen to the double bass. What animal does it remind you of? It is the biggest (and lowest) string instrument It is so big the player has to stand up! It used to only be a harmony instrument, but more composers are writing solos Often used in jazz Timbre: deep, dark, full. Can be hard to pick out timbres because it is so low

Harp Not part of core string group Can add special effects Sometimes plays solo 47 strings, 7 foot pedals Played by plucking strings with both hands Glissando – plucking all the strings in between two notes One of the oldest instruments Timbre: light, bright, clear

String Instrument Recap 4 instruments Violin Viola Cello Double Bass All instruments have 4 strings All played using bow or pizzicato The bigger the instrument, the lower the sound Strings are at the front and centre of the orchestra A string quartet is a group of 4 string players usually 2 violins, a viola and a cello How do you think the sound is made from the stings??