String Family
Strings are the biggest section and usually form the basis of the music
Instruments of the string family:
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
Violin
Smallest and highest in pitch out of all the instruments in the string family
There are two sections of violins in the orchestra, the 1st and the 2nd section
The 1st section carry the melody and the 2nd section support the melody with harmonies or other melodic support
When played, the violin is held under the chin and the fingers on the left hand press the string on the neck to produce different sounds when the string are plucked or bowed
Viola
- Slightly larger than the violin
- Deeper in pitch and tone
- Compliments the sound of the violin accompanying them with harmonies
- Played and handled the same as the violin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCPRe9_kUN0
Cello
- One of the biggest instruments in the string family
- Lower in tone than the viola
- Rich and warm tone
Double Bass
- Largest instrument out of the string family
- Has the deepest pitch
- Incredibly powerful
- Forms a stable foundation over which the rest of the orchestras notes can resound
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgZ_-f7pVk4
Technique
There are two ways which musicians cam play stringed instruments, with a bow or plucked with their fingers
Two techniques we are going to listen to and discuss today are pizzicato and staccato
Pizzicato
Pizzicato - Plucking strings with your fingers instead of using a bowing technique
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjEm1JkdT28
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU4fexkx2D8
Staccato
Staccato - A sequence of fast strokes in the same bow direction