The string section can't be ALL violins, right

By: Natalie Farah Persaud 

📷@_curtisperry

Beyond the unofficial titles of violin, violin #2, big violin, and extra big violin are a million minuscule details to distinguish between and identify the violin, viola, cello, and bass. They all have strings, a neck, a fingerboard, and many other parts, but where do they differ? 

First of all, the linguistic default, the favourite child, the popular girl, the violin. This is the smallest and lightest of the four, able to reach a higher range (open strings: G3, D4, A4, and E5) than the others. The violin’s popularity didn’t come without reason; according to The History Of Musical Instruments by Curt Sachs, during the massive revolution of orchestral music in the beginning of the 17th century, the Baroque period, the violin gained its esteem because it was able to reach a range and sharpness the preexisting viol couldn’t. This uniqueness birthed the “violin family”, which includes the viola, cello, and bass, all with a similar build. During this time they were incorporated by many composers, outlawing the original viols.  

Next we have the viola. The viola is slightly larger and heavier than the violin. If  one were to hold one in each hand, the violin would feel nearly weightless. When it comes to the structure of playing the two instruments, it is exactly the same. The way it is held, the way it is plucked, the way it is bowed, all the same. The main difference, other than the size, would be the sound. While the violin follows the treble clef, the viola uses the rare alto clef as its range is directly between treble and bass (open strings: C3, G3, D4, A4). Because of its placement in pitch, the viola is often used as the harmonising instrument to the violin’s melody. Transitioning between instruments has its challenges, despite their similarities; the viola feels heavier and may feel constricting in terms of holding it, when switching to the violin, the finger placement may be difficult to adjust to. 

📷@_curtisperry

The third largest of the four, the cello. A very recognizable instrument, especially in the shows Wednesday, One Day at a Time, or it may be heard in the background in Game Of Thrones. Unlike the violin and viola, the cello is played upright, rested on the floor and the player’s knees. Ignoring the way it is played, the cello is just a large, pitched down viola, the order of the strings being identical (open strings: C2, G2, D3, and A3). As well as the position of the cello, the fingering is slightly different from the viola and violin, utilising the pinky finger much more. If a violist or violinist were to play the cello, it likely would not be that laborious of a task, though switching between any instruments would have at least some challenges. 

Following the line-up, the largest of the four, the bass. Like the cello, this instrument rests on the floor and is played upright, though it is generally played standing. Of the four, it can also reach the lowest notes (open strings: E1, A1, D2, and G2) From the perspective of the player, this is the most different from the others with very different hand positions to play similar notes. Because of this, it is generally a very hard instrument to transition to or out of. 

The violin, viola, cello, and bass are all (shockingly) different instruments, though all members of the violin family. So now you know!