Instruments and Sound Technique THE STRING FAMILY

Types of String Instruments The string family consists of two types of instruments: those that are bowed and those that are plucked.

The Members of the String Family and Producing Sound The bowed string family has four members: violin, viola, cello and double bass. To produce a sound on these instruments the player draws a bow across the strings – this is known as arco. The vibrating string then produces a sound.

The player can produce different pitches on the string instrument by changing the length of the vibrating string. By moving their hands up and down the neck of the string they can make the string shorter or longer creating higher or lower pitches.

Another way that a string instrument can make sound is by the player plucking the strings. This is known as pizzicato. They simply pluck the strings as though they are plucking a rubber band creating a different sound than when using a bow.

Proper Posture The violin and viola are held under the chin by the player. (The violin is smaller than the viola and therefore produces a higher pitched sound. ) The cellist plays the cello in a sitting position. A string quartet does not include a double bass. It consist of 2 violinists, one violist (viola player) and a cellist.

Instruments and their range The double bass is the lowest in range in the string section. It plays the bass part and is the foundation of the harmony. These four string instruments (Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass) constitute the string section of the orchestra, which has come to be known as the “heart” of the orchestra.

More String Instruments... Other string instruments are the harp and the guitar. The harp can only be plucked and the Classical Guitar is often only used as a solo instrument – you will not see a Guitar section within a traditional orchestra! The concert band or jazz band however may include stringed instruments such as Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, and Double Bass.

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