The String Family

Over the years, Catholic High School's Sinfonietta (Band) has been well established by the members', committees' and school's joint effort. Here is a brief introduction and an all-you-have-to-know about the instruments we play.

VIOLIN

The violin, sometimes known as a fiddle, is a wooden string instrument. Most violins have a hollow wooden body. It is the smallest and highest-pitched instrument in the strings family. The violin typically has four strings, usually tuned in perfect fifths with notes G3, D4, A4, E5, and is most commonly played by drawing a bow across its strings. It can also be played by plucking the strings with the fingers (pizzicato) and, in specialized cases, by striking the strings with the wooden side of the bow (col legno). In sinfonietta, violinists are mainly divided into 2 sections, namely the First Violins and Second Violins. Although a vast number of string orchestra repertoires are known to have the melody line held by the First Violins, there are also occasional repertoires where the melody line is passed on to the Second Violins and other instruments. However, in a string orchestra, unity and teamwork is the key. Both sections are equally important in order to portray and deliver the style of the repertoire accurately and musically as per the composer's intentions. 

VIOLA

The viola is the second smallest instrument in the strings family. It is a string instrument that is bowed, plucked, or played with varying techniques and is slightly larger than a violin and has a lower and deeper sound. Since the 18th century, it has been the middle or alto voice of the violin family, between the violin (which is tuned a perfect fifth above) and the cello (which is tuned an octave below). The strings from low to high are typically tuned to C3, G3, D4, and A4. Unlike the violinists who read the treble clef, violists read the alto clef to ease their playing as their range of notes are of lower pitch compared to violins. However, when viola music has substantial sections in a higher register, it switches to the treble clef to make it easier to read. The viola often plays the "inner voices" in string quartets and symphonic writing, and it is more likely than the first violin to play accompaniment parts. As far as this is true, they still play a major, soloistic role in orchestral music, because no repertoire would be complete without it. Each of the string orchestra instruments play a key role in maintaining harmonic and melodic balance through the sound they project.  

 

CELLO

The cello is a bowed and occasionally plucked string instrument of the strings family. Its four strings are usually tuned in perfect fifths: from low to high, C2, G2, D3 and A3, an octave lower than the viola. Unlike the violin or viola but similar to the double bass, the cello has an endpin that rests on the floor to support the instrument's weight. The cello is most closely associated with European classical music. The instrument is a part of the standard orchestra, as part of the string section, and is the bass voice of the string quartet, although many composers give it a melodic role as well), as well as being part of many other chamber groups. Music for the cello is generally written in the bass clef, with tenor clef and treble clef used for higher-range passages. A cello is also known as a violoncello. Played by a cellist or violoncellist, it can enjoy a large solo repertoire with and without accompaniment, as well as numerous concerti. In a string orchestra, the cello, playing the bass part, may be reinforced an octave lower by the double basses. Not only present in string orchestras, cellos can also be found in many other ensembles, from modern chinese orchestras to cello rock bands.
  

DOUBLE BASS

The double bass, also known simply as the bass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed or plucked string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra. Like a cello, the double bass has an endpin that rests on the floor and a full sized one may stand around 6 feet (180 cm). The bass is a standard member of the orchestra's string section, as well as the concert band, and is featured in concertos, solo, and chamber music in Western classical music. The bass is used in a range of other genres, such as jazz, 1950s-style blues and rock and roll, rockabilly, psychobilly, traditional country music, bluegrass, tango and many types of folk music. The bass is a transposing instrument and is typically notated one octave higher than tuned to avoid excessive ledger lines below the staff. The double bass is the only modern bowed string instrument that is tuned in fourths, rather than fifths, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2. The double bass is played with a bow (arco), or by plucking the strings (pizzicato), or via a variety of extended techniques. In orchestral repertoire and tango music, both arco and pizzicato are employed. In a typical string orchestra, the double bass usually plays the key role of strengthening and reinforcing the bass line played by cellist according to the nature of the repertoire.