Listen to the instruments!
The highest sounding instrument is the violin. It has 4 strings that include E, A, D, and G. Here are two videos of contrasting music that can be played on the violin. The first is performer Hilary Hahn playing a solo work by the composer J.S. Bach. The second video is a violin and viola duet name "Black Violin." They perform on acoustic and electric instruments. They're playing a song they composed called "A Flat."
The highest sounding instrument is the violin. It has 4 strings that include E, A, D, and G. Here are two videos of contrasting music that can be played on the violin. The first is performer Hilary Hahn playing a solo work by the composer J.S. Bach. The second video is a violin and viola duet name "Black Violin." They perform on acoustic and electric instruments. They're playing a song they composed called "A Flat."
The viola is a little larger than the violin and has a lower, darker sound. Its 4 strings are A, D, G, and C. The viola is held played similar to the violin. The video below is a violist named Nokuthula Ngwenyama playing a Courante for solo viola, also composed by J.S. Bach. The second video is a duet for viola and cello by Beethoven. It is performed by violist Roberto Díaz and Andrés Díaz.
The cello is a much larger and lower instrument in the string orchestra. It shares the same string names as the viola (A, D, G, and C) but it sounds one octave lower. Below are two videos of cellists performing classical and modern American music. The first is Joshua Roman performing Suite No. 3 by J.S. Bach with the NYC Freedom Tower in the background. The second is Kevin Olusola beatboxing and performing "Julie-O," written by Mark Summer.
The double bass is the largest instrument in the string orchestra. It is called the "Double" bass because it sounds an octave lower than the music is written. The string names are the same as the violin: E, A, D, and G. It is played by either standing or sitting on a stool. The double bass is a versatile instrument; it is common in orchestras, jazz bands, rock bands, and concert bands.
The first video is a duet between Lauren Pierce, bass, and Caleb Hans Polashet, violin. It is written by another bassist named Edgar Meyer. The second video is a trio named Time for Three. You can hear the bass player, Ranaan Meyer, play the melody several times.
The first video is a duet between Lauren Pierce, bass, and Caleb Hans Polashet, violin. It is written by another bassist named Edgar Meyer. The second video is a trio named Time for Three. You can hear the bass player, Ranaan Meyer, play the melody several times.