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The VIOLIN is the highestest pitched, or 'TREBLE' member, of the VIOLIN Family and is related to the VIOLA and the VIOLONCELLO.( 'CELLO for short. )

The DOUBLE BASS is NOT related to the VIOLIN!

The VIOLA is played exactly the same way as a VIOLIN but its strings are set to different, lower notes and its music written on a different type of CLEF(Key) However, the technique & finger positions are practically identical on the VIOLIN and VIOLA. Although the VIOLA is a little larger than the violin, in the easiest playing position, the first three fingers of the left hand hold down each string to play a different note.

The 'cello is the lowest pitched, or 'Bass' member, of the VIOLIN Family and although it is tuned like a VIOLA (but lower), its size means that the little finger on the left hand is required to reach the same note as the 3rd finger can reach on the VIOLA!

These instruments developed from medieval instruments called VIOLS which came in a number of sizes. By the 17th Century, composers were writing specifically for members of the VIOLIN family as their sound was

clearer, sweeter and LOUDER!

THE DOUBLE BASS IS IN FACT A BASS VIOL. WITH ITS SLOPING SHOULDERS AND SHORTER ARCHED BOW IT IS THE ONLY VIOL STILL IN COMMON USE TODAY, ALTHOUGH MANY SPECIALISTS PLAY OLDER 15th CENTURY PIECES ON VIOLS.


MEMBERS OF THE VIOLIN FAMILY HAVE THEIR STRINGS TUNED 5 NOTES APART

When composers write for a string quartet they are essentially writing for FOUR VOICES they allocate the two highest voices to TWO VIOLINS, the TENOR to the VIOLA and the BASS to the CELLO.

You may get confused; A SOPRANO is a female TREBLE SINGER. SINGERS ARE CALLED SOPRANO, ALTO, TENOR & BASS

VIOLIN music is written on the TREBLE CLEF, VIOLA music is written on the ALTO CLEF and 'CELLO MUSIC is written on the BASS CLEF, TENOR CLEF & TREBLE CLEF
THE STRINGS on the VIOLIN, VIOLA & CELLO cover 5 notes.

The VIOLIN STRINGS ARE G D A E (the top string is 5 notes higher than the VIOLA)

The VIOLA STRINGS ARE C G D A (The top string is the same as the 3rd Violin String)

The CELLO STRINGS ARE C G D A (The same strings as a VIOLA but 8 notes lower)

THE DOUBLE BASS IS TUNED E A D G - these notes are just four tones apart.

THE REASON THAT I INSIST THAT THE DOUBLE BASS IS NOT RELATED TO THE VIOLIN IS THAT IT IS TUNED IN FOURTHS, NOT FIFTHS.MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE DOUBLE BASS IS A TYPE OF VIOL AND YOU MAY WISH TO READ ABOUT VIOLS ELSEWHERE! HOWEVER, BRIEFLY, IF YOU LOOK AT A VIOLIN, VIOLA & CELLO, THEY SHARE THE SAME CURVY SHAPE. NOW LOOK AT A DOUBLE BASS, IT HAS SLOPING SHOULDERS JUST LIKE THE OLD FASHIONED VIOLS!

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