Instruments of the Orchestra The String Section

The Orchestra is divided into Four Sections the Strings, The Woodwinds, the Brass, and the Percussion. Today we will talk about the Strings, the string instruments vary vastly in size but all have the same shape.

The piano: the Pianoforte or piano for short Is the most versatile instrument in the entire orchestra. It can actually play in virtually any form of music even rap. It gets it's name because it can play both soft (piano) and loud (forte). There are electric versions that can synthesize almost any sound. It has 88 keys, the white keys play notes on the scale, and the black keys play The flats (lower) and the sharps (higher). It is not in every orchestra but is often used in concertos, which are for the orchestra plus another instrument. There are two kinds of piano upright and Grand. This is a small grand piano called a baby grand.

The Violin: The Violin is the lead Instrument in the orchestra even though it is the smallest of the strings. It is the only instrument divide into two section, First and second violins. In fact the leader of the orchestra called the concert master is usually the first violinist. The second violins are usually considered a lesser instrument but without them there would be no such thing as a string quartet, The violin the same instrument as a fiddle.
The Viola: Q When is a violin not a violin?
A When It's a viola
The viola can be easily confused with the violin but should not be ignored because it is actually a very appealing instrument once you get to know it. The viola is Bigger and lower and produces a mellower sound. It is usually an accompanying instrument, but some people (Mozart in particular) take a fancy to the viola. He wrote a concerto for a violin and viola as equals either as two lovers two friends or a parent and child.
The Cello: The Cello or Violoncello for long, the Cello is a good deal bigger than the violin and viola but smaller than the bass. It is a also a very beautiful instrument. In the eighteenth century it was supported on the legs but now it is supported buy a rod that goes below the instrument called an end pin. It used to be used mainly for providing a Bass line for the Orchestra, but it is equally at home taking the lead in solos. A few examles are like the the Swan the Tarantella and Don quixote . When Two violins a viola and a cello play together it's called a string quartet.
The Double Bass The double bass is the biggest of the stringed instruments and has sloping shoulders. It is not a very powerful instrument on it's own, but you'd notice a difference without it. The bass when plucked also can be used for jazz Reggie and even rock. In fact the electric bass has it's roots in the string bass. Incidentally the string quartet does not use a bass.

This video of the Trout quintet shows what these instruments sound like when played together