String Family

The four major instruments in the string family, the violin, the viola, the cello and the double bass, are made in the same way. The instruments are made of many pieces of wood which are glued - never nailed - together.

Violin

The violin is the soprano voice in the string family. It is held under the chin, resting on the shoulder.

Viola

The viola is the alto voice in the string family. Like the violin, it is held under the chin, resting on the shoulder. Unlike the violin, the viola is slightly larger and is tuned five notes lower.

Cello

The violoncello or cello is the tenor voice in the string family. While shaped like a violin, the cello is much larger and is held between the player’s knees. Because it can produce beautiful sounds from its lowest to its highest notes, it is a popular instrument.

Double Bass

The double bass, or string bass is the largest and lowest instrument of the string family. The double bass has rounded shoulders instead of square shoulders like the other string instruments. Because of its size, the player stands or sits on a high stool to play it.

Harp

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.

Check that you understand what these words mean in this document To To glue: to stick together with a special substance.
Soprano: the female voice, or the instrument, with the highest range.
Alto: the female voice with the lowest range.
Tenor: the male voice, or instrument, with the highest range.
To pluck: to pull a string and release it quickly.
To adjust: to change slightly.