STRING FAMILY

VIOLIN

• Smallest Member of the string family
• Highest pitched family member
• Fits under the chin while being played
• To mute the tones, a clamp is sometimes placed on the violins bridge
• The clamp looks like a small comb

VIOLA

• A little larger than the violin
• Has a lower and warmer tone
• Fits under chin while being played
• Plays a 5th lower than the violin
• Because it is slightly larger than a violin, you may need a larger hand to play it comfortably

CELLO

• The bass member of the violin family
• Played with a shorter snd thicker bow
• The player sits to play
• Its larger body assures deeper resonance
• The cello rests on the floor supported by a retractable spike and is held between the knees

DOUBLE BASS

• Lowest pitched member of the string family
• So large that it can be taller than the musician
• Two bow types: the French style bow(held overhand like the violin bow)
• Widely used in jazz where it is mostly played by plucking the strings
• Can be played standing up or sitting on a stool