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The String Family

Orchestral and Traditional String Instruments

+What is a String Instrument?

A String instrument is any instrument that uses string to create music

All string instruments are made of wood

They are used to balance the ensembles sound. Especially in the orchestra

Sound is created by bowing, plucking, strumming or hitting the strings

They have a unique sound

+Orchestral String Instruments

+Orchestral String instruments

There are 4 orchestral string instruments

They are played by using a bow

The bow is made of a thin piece of special wood and horse hair

The bow is pulled and pushed across the stings

+Violin

Is the smallest of the string instruments

Has the highest pitch

Sound is made by the bow being pulled across the stings

Used in orchestral music as well as different genres such as bluegrass, folk and progressive

+Violin

+Viola

Is the second smallest of the string instruments

Plays in the “alto” range

Looks and sounds a lot like a violin

Sound is created by pulling or pushing the bow across the strings

+Viola

+Cello

Cello is the second largest of the string instruments

You have to sit down when you play it

It goes in between your legs

Sound is made from the bow vibrating when it is pulled across the strings

+Cello

+Double Bass

Is the biggest of the string instruments

Is 6ft tall! That is as tall as Mr. Dillard

Players have to stand or sit on a large stool to play the instrument

You can play with the bow or by plucking the strings

+Double Bass

+Folk String instruments

These are string instruments that are used in folk and bluegrass music

You see these more commonly in our area than the orchestral strings

Were popular because they can play a variety of styles

Used for entertainment. Recreational music

+Guitar

Very popular string instrument

I own one

Very easy and accessible to play

Can accompany for many different genres of music

+Guitar

+Banjo

Has five strings, only four are actually the whole length of the neck. One is short and used to create the “drone” sound

The head of the banjo is a drum

Used in Bluegrass music

+Banjo

+Dulcimer

Is a traditional Appalachian Music

You can create the sound by strumming or “hammer” the dulcimer strings

Has four stings; you have a main melody string and four drone strings

Play it sitting down on your lap

+Dulcimer