Orchestra Instruments:
Violin:
The violin plays the highest pitches of the four stringed instruments in Orchestra. The strings are, highest to lowest,
E-A-D-G. Strings can be played with the bow (arco) or plucked with the fingers (pizzicato). The violin is played horizontally, and rests on your left shoulder. The violin pictured here is a half-sized violin, one of the sizes typically used by 4th and 5th grade students. Violins are easy to carry, and can be played standing up or sitting down. (There is a metal stand holding up the instrument in this picture.)
The violin plays the highest pitches of the four stringed instruments in Orchestra. The strings are, highest to lowest,
E-A-D-G. Strings can be played with the bow (arco) or plucked with the fingers (pizzicato). The violin is played horizontally, and rests on your left shoulder. The violin pictured here is a half-sized violin, one of the sizes typically used by 4th and 5th grade students. Violins are easy to carry, and can be played standing up or sitting down. (There is a metal stand holding up the instrument in this picture.)
Viola:
The viola plays lower pitches than the violin, but higher than the cello and bass. Orchestra is like a chorus of four voices, and the viola is the alto range. The viola tone is richer and deeper than the violin because of the low C String. The strings are, highest to lowest, A-D-G-C. Strings can be played with the bow (arco) or plucked with the fingers (pizzicato). The viola is played horizontally, and rests on your left shoulder. The viola pictured here is a 12-inch viola, one of the sizes typically used by 4th and 5th grade students. Violas are easy to carry, and can be played standing up or sitting down. (There is a metal stand holding up the instrument in this picture.)
The viola plays lower pitches than the violin, but higher than the cello and bass. Orchestra is like a chorus of four voices, and the viola is the alto range. The viola tone is richer and deeper than the violin because of the low C String. The strings are, highest to lowest, A-D-G-C. Strings can be played with the bow (arco) or plucked with the fingers (pizzicato). The viola is played horizontally, and rests on your left shoulder. The viola pictured here is a 12-inch viola, one of the sizes typically used by 4th and 5th grade students. Violas are easy to carry, and can be played standing up or sitting down. (There is a metal stand holding up the instrument in this picture.)
Cello:
The cello plays in the tenor range of the Orchestra. The notes are deep and low, but not as low as the bass. Cellos are normally played while sitting down. The strings on the cello are A-D-G-C. Strings can be played with the bow or plucked. The cello pictured here is a Quarter-Sized Cello, one of the typical sizes for an elementary beginning student. Cellos are heavier than violins and violas, but many cello cases come with backpack straps that allow them to be carried. Most student-sized cellos fit onto school buses.
The cello plays in the tenor range of the Orchestra. The notes are deep and low, but not as low as the bass. Cellos are normally played while sitting down. The strings on the cello are A-D-G-C. Strings can be played with the bow or plucked. The cello pictured here is a Quarter-Sized Cello, one of the typical sizes for an elementary beginning student. Cellos are heavier than violins and violas, but many cello cases come with backpack straps that allow them to be carried. Most student-sized cellos fit onto school buses.
Bass:
The bass plays the lowest notes of the Orchestra. The notes are very deep, but can also play in a higher range like the cello. Basses can be played standing or sitting on a stool. The strings on the bass are G-D-A-E. Strings can be played with the bow or plucked. Before the electric bass was invented, most jazz and popular bands had an upright acoustic bass. The bass pictured here is a half-sized Bass, one of the typical sizes for an elementary beginning student. (There are smaller sizes.) Basses are heavy. If you play bass in elementary school your parents must be able to drive you to school on your lesson day, and help you carry your instrument inside the building to our classroom. Experience has shown that basses do not fit easily onto school buses. However, in Middle School we have enough basses at school so that you do not need to bring your instrument to school on a regular basis.
The bass plays the lowest notes of the Orchestra. The notes are very deep, but can also play in a higher range like the cello. Basses can be played standing or sitting on a stool. The strings on the bass are G-D-A-E. Strings can be played with the bow or plucked. Before the electric bass was invented, most jazz and popular bands had an upright acoustic bass. The bass pictured here is a half-sized Bass, one of the typical sizes for an elementary beginning student. (There are smaller sizes.) Basses are heavy. If you play bass in elementary school your parents must be able to drive you to school on your lesson day, and help you carry your instrument inside the building to our classroom. Experience has shown that basses do not fit easily onto school buses. However, in Middle School we have enough basses at school so that you do not need to bring your instrument to school on a regular basis.