Fact of the Day: 04/10/2021
What are the instruments of the violin family?
The violin is (obviously) a member of the violin family. It has the highest pitch of the stringed instruments, and is also the smallest. Violins typically look the same, though modern instrument companies have experimented with exotic designs.
The viola comes next in the violin family, which looks like a slightly bigger violin. Unlike its cousin, it’s tuned for a lower range of pitches, and you may find violas with different designs in the same orchestra. Like the violin, however, it’s a hand-held instrument, and it can be played standing or sitting.
The cello (short for “violoncello”) is much larger than the viola. Tuned for some of the lowest pitches, it’s too big to play standing up; you’ll often find cellists seated, propping the instrument up with their bodies and using their arms to play.
The double base is even larger than the cello. It’s tuned for the very lowest of pitches. In fact, you may not even be able to hear it unless you’re watching the performance live, or your computer’s speaker is adept at conveying low bass sounds. This instrument is so large that it may be played standing rather than sitting.
Together, the violin family—the “strings”—form the backbone of symphony orchestras.
To find out more about the violin family, check out this article: https://www.britannica.com/art/stringed-instrument/The-violin-family
Fact Author: Ace
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