Unit 2 Instruments of the Band Orchestra Instruments

Unit 2 Instruments of the Band Orchestra

Instruments of the Band Orchestra String Family

String Family n n The string family is named for the gut, wire, or nylon cords that are stretched over the instruments. Striking, bowing, plucking, or strumming the strings produces musical sounds that are amplified acoustically or electronically. Pizzicato – to pluck the strings.

Violin n The violin is the string instrument with the highest range of the string family. It is the smallest string instrument. To play the violin, you rest it on your left shoulder and put your chin on the chin rest. Your bow is in your right hand your left hand is on the strings.

Parts of the Violin

Violin

Viola n n n The viola has a lower range than the violin and a higher range than the cello. It is slightly bigger than the violin. It is played like the violin, with it resting on your shoulder and your chin on the chin rest.

Comparing the Violin and Viola

Viola

Cello n n The cello has a range lower than that of the viola and higher than that of the double bass. The cello is played sitting in a chair with its tip resting on the ground.

Cello

Cello Spotlight: Yo-Yo Ma n n Yo-Yo Ma (b. October 7, 1955) is an American cellist and winner of multiple Grammy Awards. Mr. Ma is an exclusive Sony Classical artist, and his discography of over 75 albums (including more than 15 Grammy Award winners) reflects his wide-ranging interests. He has made several successful recordings that defy categorization, among them "Hush" with Bobby Mc. Ferrin. He also appears on John Williams' soundtrack for Rob Marshall's film "Memoirs of a Geisha. " Across this full range of releases Mr. Ma remains one of the best-selling recording artists in the classical field. All of his recent albums have quickly entered the Billboard chart of classical best sellers, remaining in the Top 15 for extended periods, often with as many as four titles simultaneously on the list.

Double Bass n n n The largest of the string instruments. The double bass has the lowest range of the string family. It is played by either standing or sitting on a stool with its end resting on the ground.

Double Bass

Strings Played All Together

Harp n The harp is not like any other member of the string family. It has about 45 strings stretched across its tall triangular frame. The strings are plucked by hand while seven pedals at the bottom of the harp adjust the length of the strings to produce additional notes.

Other String Instruments

String Instruments: Review Name these string instruments: