Strings Made Simple

Violin:

• The most popular instrument
• Small, easy to carry around
• Music is written in the treble clef, same as the upper staff of the piano
• Has the E, A, D, and G strings
• Can be played sitting or standing
• The violin is the Soprano of the string orchestra

Viola:

• One of the least played instruments
• Easy to carry around but slightly bigger than the violin
• Same strings as the cello, but an octave higher-A, D, G, C
• Music is written in the alto clef, where the middle line is middle C on the piano
• Can be played sitting or standing
• The viola is the alto of the string orchestra

Cello (violincello):

• Must be played while sitting
• Lower, richer sound
• A, D, G, and C-same strings as viola, but an octave lower
• Music is written in the Bass clef, the same as the lower staff of the piano.
• A larger instrument, more difficult to transport in cars and on the bus.
• The cello is the tenor of the string orchestra

String Bass:

• Least played of all the instruments, often used in jazz bands as well
• Very large, need a larger car to transport (van, station wagon, SUV)
• Very few used in orchestra
• Has the same strings as the violin, but then are reversed the highest string being G, then D, A, and E being the lowest.
• Uses the same clef as the cello, the bass clef.
• The string bass is the bass of the string orchestra
• Can be played sitting on a stool or standing