The violin is big. Violin: history, video, interesting facts, listen
In bowed musical instruments, sounds are produced by rubbing the hair of the bow against the strings; in this regard, their sound characteristic differs to a large extent from plucked instruments.
Bowed instruments are distinguished by high sound quality and endless possibilities in the field of performance and therefore are leading in various orchestras and ensembles and are widely used for solo performance.
This subgroup of instruments includes violins, violas, cellos, double basses, as well as a number of national instruments 1 (Georgian chianuri, Uzbek gidzhak, Azerbaijani kemancha, etc.).
Violin among bowed instruments - the highest instrument in the register. The sound of the violin in the upper register is light, silvery, in the middle - soft, gentle, melodious and in the lower register - intense, thick.
The violin is tuned in fifths. The range of the violin is 3 3/4 octaves, from the salt of the small octave to the note mi of the fourth octave.
They produce solo violins, size 4/4; training, size 4/4, 3/4, 2/4, 1/4, 1/8. Study violins, unlike the solo violin, have a slightly worse finish and reduced sound quality. In turn, training violins, depending on the sound quality and external finish, are divided into training violins of grades 1 and 2. Class 2 violins differ from class 1 violins in the worst sound quality and external finish.
Alto a few more violins. In the upper register, it sounds tense, harsh; in the middle register the sound is dull (nasal), melodious, in the lower register the alto sounds thick, somewhat rude.
Viola strings are tuned in fifths. The range is 3 octaves, from a note to a small octave to a note to a third octave.
Violas are divided into solo (size 4/4) and training grades 1 and 2 (size 4/4).
Cello almost 3 times the size of a full-sized violin and is played while seated. The tool is installed on the floor, after inserting the stop.
The sound of the upper register of the instrument is light, open, chest. In the middle register it sounds melodious, dense. The lower case sounds full, thick, tight. Sometimes the sound of the cello is compared to the sound of the human voice.
The cello is tuned in fifths, an octave below the viola. Cello range Z1 / 3 octaves - from to a large octave to mi of the second octave.
Cellos are divided into solo and training:
♦ solo (size 4/4) are made according to one of the Stradivari models, they are intended for solo, ensemble and orchestral performance of musical works;
♦ training cellos 1 (size 4/4) and 2 classes (size 4/4, 3/4, 2/4, 1/4, 1/8) differ in sound quality and presentation. Designed to teach music to students of different ages.
double bass- the largest of the family of bowed instruments; it is almost 31/2 times longer than a full-length violin. They play the double bass while standing, placing it on the floor in the same way as a cello. In its form, the double bass has retained the features of ancient viols.
The double bass is the lowest sounding instrument of the bow family. Its sound in the middle register is thick and rather soft. The top notes sound liquid, sharp and tense. The lower register sounds very tight and thick. Unlike other stringed instruments, the double bass is built in fourths and sounds an octave below the iotated one. The range of the double bass is 21/2, the octaves are from the mi counteroctave to the si-be-mol small octave.
Double basses are subdivided: into solo ones (size 4/4); educational grade 1 (size 4/4); training 2 classes (size 2/4, 3/4, 4/4).
Five-string solo double basses (size 4/4) are also produced, the range is from a note to a contra-octave to a note to a second octave.
By their design, the violin, viola, cello and double bass are of the same type. The difference between them is mainly in size and build. Therefore, this article describes the design of only one bowed instrument - the violin.
The main structural units of the violin are: body, neck with fingerboard, head, string holder, stand, peg box, strings.
The figure-eight body amplifies the sound vibrations of the strings. It consists of the upper and lower decks (14, 17), which are the most important resonating parts of the violin, and shells (18). The upper deck has the greatest thickness in the middle, and gradually decreases towards the edges. In the context, the decks have the shape of a small vault. The top deck has two resonator holes shaped like the Latin letter "f", hence their name - efs. Decks are connected by shells.
The shells of the tool consist of six parts and are attached to the six posts of the body (16, 19). A neck (20) is attached to the upper rack of the body, on which the neck (10) is mounted. The fingerboard serves to press the strings during performance, has a conical shape along the length, and a slight curvature along the end. The continuation of the neck and its end is the head (3), which has a peg box (12) with side holes for strengthening the pins. The curl (11) is the end of the peg box and has a different shape (often shaped).
The pegs are in the form of cone-shaped rods with a head and serve to tension and tune the strings. The nut (13) at the top of the neck limits the sounding part of the strings and has a neck curvature.
The string holder (6) is designed to secure the lower ends of the strings. To do this, in its wide part, it has corresponding holes.
The bridge (15) supports the strings at the required height from the fretboard, limits the sounding length of the strings, and transmits the vibration of the strings to the decks.
All bowed instruments are four-stringed (only the double bass can have five strings).
To extract sound, bows are used, which differ in size and shape.
The bow consists of a cane (2), which has a head at the upper end, a tension screw shoe (5) and a hair (6). The reed of the bow, on which evenly spaced hair is stretched, is slightly curved. It has a head (1) at the end and springs in the opposite direction from the hair. To fix the hair, a block is used, and at the other end of the bow, the hair is fixed at the end of the cane in the head. The block moves along the cane by turning the screw (4) located on the side of the end of the cane, and provides the hair with the necessary tension.
Bows are divided into solo and training 1 and 2 classes.
Spare parts and accessories for bowed instruments
Spare parts and accessories for bowed instruments are: string holders and fingerboards, stands, pegs made of stained hardwood or plastic; mutes made of plastic or wood; machines for adjusting the tension of brass strings; violin and viola chin rests made of plastic; strings; buttons; cases and cases.
Basic information, device Viola or violin viola - a stringed bowed musical instrument of the same device as the violin, but somewhat larger, which makes it sound in a lower register. Names of the viola in other languages: viola (Italian); viola (English); alto (French); bratsche (German); alttoviulu (Finnish). The viola strings are tuned a fifth below the violin and an octave above the cello.
Basic information, origin Apkhyarts or apkhiarts is a bowed stringed musical instrument, one of the main folk musical instruments of the Abkhaz-Adyghe peoples. The name "apkhyartsa" in its origin is connected with the military life of the people and goes back to the word "apkhartsaga", which in translation into Russian means "what encourages you to go forward." Abkhazians also use singing to the accompaniment of apkhartsu as a healing tool. Under
Basic information Arpeggione (Italian arpeggione) or cello guitar, love guitar is a stringed bowed musical instrument. It is close to the cello in terms of size and sound production, but, like the guitar, it has six strings and frets on the fingerboard. The German name for the arpegione is Liebes-Guitarre, the French name is Guitarre d'amour. Origin, history Arpegione was designed in 1823 by the Viennese master Johann Georg Staufer; a little
Basic information, origin Banhu is a Chinese stringed bowed musical instrument, a kind of huqin. The traditional banhu has been used primarily as an accompaniment instrument in northern Chinese musical drama, northern and southern Chinese operas, or as a solo instrument and in ensembles. In the 20th century, the banhu began to be used as an orchestral instrument. There are three types of banhu - high, medium and
Basic information, history, types of viols Viola (Italian viola) is an ancient stringed bowed musical instrument of various types. Violas form a family of ancient stringed bowed musical instruments with frets on the fingerboard. The viol developed from the Spanish vihuela. Violas were widely used in church, court and folk music. In the 16-18 centuries, as a solo, ensemble and orchestral instrument, the tenor instrument became especially widespread.
Basic information Viola d'amore (Italian viola d'amore - viola of love) is an old stringed bowed musical instrument of the viol family. Viola d'amore was widely used from the end of the 17th to the beginning of the 19th century, then gave way to the viola and cello. Interest in viola d'amore revived at the beginning of the 20th century. The instrument has six or seven strings, on the earliest models -
Viola da gamba (Italian: viola da gamba - foot viola) is an ancient stringed bowed musical instrument of the viol family, similar in size and range to the modern cello. The viola da gamba was played while sitting, holding the instrument between the legs or laying it sideways on the thigh - hence the name. Of the entire viol family, the viola da gamba is the longest of all instruments.
Basic information, device, playing The cello is a bowed stringed musical instrument of the bass and tenor register, known from the first half of the 16th century. The cello is widely used as a solo instrument, the cello group is used in string and symphony orchestras, the cello is an obligatory member of the string quartet, in which it is the lowest sounding instrument, and is also often used in other compositions
Basic information Gadulka is a Bulgarian folk stringed bowed musical instrument used to accompany dances or songs and has a special soft harmonic sound. Origin, history The origin of the gadulka is associated with the Persian kemancha, the Arab rebab and the medieval European rebek. The shape of the body and sound holes of the gadulka is very similar to the so-called armudi kemenche (also known as the Constantinople lyre,
Basic information Gidzhak (gydzhak) is a stringed bowed musical instrument of the peoples of Central Asia (Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Turkmens). Gidjak has a spherical body and is made of pumpkin, large walnut, wood or other materials. Lined with leather. The number of gidzhak strings is variable, most often - three. The structure of the three-stringed gijak is a quarter, usually - es1, as1, des2 (E-flat, A-flat of the first octave, D-flat of the second octave).
Basic information Gudok is a stringed bowed musical instrument. The most common horn was in the 17-19 centuries among buffoons. The horn has a hollowed-out wooden body, usually oval or pear-shaped, as well as a flat soundboard with resonator holes. The neck of the horn has a short fretless neck holding 3 or 4 strings. You can play the horn by setting it
Basic information Jouhikko (jouhikannel, jouhikantele) is an ancient Finnish bowed stringed musical instrument. Similar to the 4-string Estonian hiukannel. Youhikko has a dugout boat-shaped or other figured birch body, covered with a spruce or pine soundboard with resonator holes, and a side cutout that forms a handle. Strings are usually 2-4. As a rule, the strings are hair or gut. The jouhikko scale is fourth or fourth-fifth. During
Basic information Kemenche is a folk stringed bowed musical instrument, akin to the Arab rebab, the medieval European rebec, the French bag, the Bulgarian gadulka. Pronunciation options and synonyms: kemendzhe, kemendzhesi, kemencha, kemancha, kyamancha, kemendzes, kementsia, keman, lira, pontiac lira. Video: Kemenche on video + sound Thanks to these videos you can get acquainted with the instrument, watch the real game on it, listen to it
Basic information Kobyz is a Kazakh national stringed bowed musical instrument. Kobyz does not have an upper board and consists of a hollowed-out hemisphere covered with a bubble, with a handle attached to it at the top and with a release at the bottom for supporting the stand. Two strings, tied to kobyz, are twisted from horsehair. They play the kobyz, squeezing it in their knees (like a cello),
Basic information The double bass is the largest stringed bowed musical instrument that combines the features of the violin family and the viol family. The modern double bass has four strings, although double basses of the 17th and 18th centuries may have had three strings. The double bass has a thick, hoarse, but somewhat muffled timbre, which is why it is rarely used as a solo instrument. The main scope of its application is the symphony orchestra,
Basic information Morin khuur is a stringed bowed musical instrument of Mongolian origin. Morin khuur is distributed in Mongolia, regionally in the north of China (primarily the Inner Mongolia region) and Russia (in Buryatia, Tuva, the Irkutsk region and the Trans-Baikal Territory). In China, the morin khuur is called matouqin, which means "horse head instrument". Origin, history One of the Mongolian legends attributes
Background The Nikelharpa is a traditional Swedish bowed stringed musical instrument that has had several modifications as it has evolved over 600 years. In Swedish, "nyckel" means key. The word "harpa" is usually used to refer to stringed instruments like the guitar or violin. The nyckelharpa is sometimes referred to as the "Swedish keyboard fiddle". The very first evidence of the use of nikelharpa is the image of two musicians playing this instrument,
Basic information, device Rabanastre is an Indian stringed bowed musical instrument, related to the Chinese erhu and remotely Mongolian morin khuur. Rabanastre has a wooden cylindrical body of small size, covered with a leather soundboard (most often made of snakeskin). A long neck in the form of a wooden rod passes through the body, near the upper end of which pegs are fixed. The rabanaster has two strings. Usually silk strings
Basic information Rebab is a bowed stringed musical instrument of Arabic origin. The word "rebab" in Arabic means the combination of short sounds into one long one. The body of the rebab is wooden, flat or convex, trapezoid or heart-shaped, with small notches on the sides. The shells are made of wood or coconut, the soundboards are made of leather (from the intestines of a buffalo or bladder of other animals). The neck is long
Basic information, device, origin Rebec is an ancient stringed bowed musical instrument. The Rebecque consists of a pear-shaped wooden body (without shells). The upper tapering part of the body of which goes directly into the neck. The deck has 2 resonator holes. Rebec has 3 strings that are tuned in fifths. Rebec appeared in Western European countries around the 12th century. Applied until the 3rd quarter
Basic information The violin is a stringed bowed musical instrument of a high register. Violins occupy a leading place among stringed bowed instruments - the most important part of a modern symphony orchestra. Perhaps no other instrument has such a combination of beauty, expressiveness of sound and technical mobility. In the orchestra, the violin performs various and multifaceted functions. Very often violins, due to their exceptional melodiousness, are used for
Parents who are going to send their child to a music school, as well as all art lovers, need to know that the instruments they play are divided into several types. Electric devices, such as a synthesizer, stand apart. Wind instruments sound by vibrating air in a hollow tube. When playing the keyboard, it is necessary to activate the hammer that strikes the string. This is usually done with finger pressure.
Violin and its variants
String instruments are of two types:
- bowed;
- plucked.
They are very popular with music lovers. Bowed instruments often play the main melodies in orchestral pieces and symphonies. They acquired their modern look quite late. The violin replaced the old viola only in the 17th century. The rest of the strings were formed even later. In addition to the classical violin, there are other varieties of this instrument. For example, baroque. It often performs works by Bach. There is also a national Indian violin. It plays folk music. In the folklore of many ethnic groups there is a sounding object similar to a violin.
Main group of the symphony orchestra
Stringed instruments are very popular all over the world. Their names are:
- violin;
- alto;
- cello;
- double bass
These instruments make up the string group of a symphony orchestra. The most popular of them is the violin. It is she who attracts many children who want to learn music. This is logical, because there are more violins in the orchestra than other instruments. Therefore, art needs specialists of the appropriate profile.
The string instruments whose names are listed here were formed in parallel. They developed in two directions.
- Appearance and physico-acoustic properties.
- Musical abilities: playing a melody or bass, technical mobility.
Antonio Stradivari
In both cases, the violin was ahead of its "colleagues". The heyday of this instrument was the 17th and 18th centuries. It was at this time that the great master Antonio Stradivari worked. He was a student of Nicolò Amati. When Stradivari began to learn the profession, the form and components of the violin were already formed. The size of the instrument, convenient for the musician, was also established. Stradivari contributed to the development of art. He focused on the material from which the body is made, and the composition covering it. The craftsman made musical instruments by hand. The violin at that time was an exclusive thing. It was played only by court musicians. Often they made individual orders. Stradivari knew the requirements and preferences of all leading violinists. The master paid much attention to the material from which the instrument was made. Often he used wood that was in use. There is a legend that Stradivarius tapped fences with a cane while walking. If he liked the sound, then the students, on the command of Signor Antonio, broke out suitable boards.
Master Secrets
Stringed instruments are covered with a special varnish. Stradivari developed a special composition, which he kept secret. He was afraid of competitors. The researchers found that the master covered the body with oil for priming wooden boards, which was used by painters of that time. Stradivari also added various natural dyes to the composition. They gave the instrument not only the original color, but also a beautiful sound. Today, violins are varnished with alcohol.
String instruments developed very intensively. In the 17th and 18th centuries, virtuoso violinists worked at aristocratic courts. They composed music for their instrument. Antonio Vivaldi was such a virtuoso. The violin developed as a solo instrument. She acquired unprecedented technical capabilities. The violin could play beautiful melodies, brilliant passages, and even polyphonic chords.
Sound Features
String instruments were often used in orchestral works as well. Composers used such property of violins as continuity of sound. A smooth transition between notes is possible due to the conduct of the bow along the strings. The violin sound, unlike the piano, does not fade. It can be strengthened or weakened by adjusting the bow pressure. Therefore, the strings were instructed to play long-sounding melodies at various volume levels.
Musical instruments of this group have approximately the same properties. Viola, cello and double bass are very similar to the violin. They differ in size, timbre and register.
The viola is larger than the violin. It is played with a bow, pressing the instrument with the chin to the shoulder. Because the viola has thicker strings than the violin, it has a different range. The instrument is subject to low sounds. He often plays accompanying melodies, echoes. The large size interferes with the mobility of the viola. He is not subject to swift virtuoso passages.
Giants of the bow
Music under power
Harrison was an electric guitar virtuoso. This instrument does not have a hollow resonator body. Vibrations of metal strings are converted into electric current, which is then transformed into sound waves perceived by the ear. The performer can change the timbre of his instrument using special devices.
There is another type of electric guitar that is very popular. It sounds exclusively in the low range. This is a bass guitar. It has four thick strings. The function of an instrument in an ensemble is to maintain a powerful bass foothold.
Welcome to a brief overview of the musical instruments of the symphony orchestra.
If you are just starting to get acquainted with classical music, then perhaps you still do not know what musical instruments the members of the symphony orchestra play. This article will help you. Descriptions, images and sound samples of the main musical instruments of the orchestra will introduce you to the huge variety of sounds produced by the orchestra.
Foreword
The musical symphonic fairy tale "Peter and the Wolf" was written in 1936 for the new Moscow Central Children's Theater (now the Russian Academic Youth Theatre). This is a story about the pioneer Petya, who shows courage and ingenuity, saves his friends and captures a wolf. From the moment of its creation to the present day, the piece has enjoyed unflagging worldwide popularity among both the younger generation and experienced lovers of classical music. This piece will help us to identify different instruments, as each character in it is represented by a certain instrument and a separate motif: for example, Petya - string instruments (mainly violins), Bird - flute in high register, Duck - oboe, Grandfather - bassoon, Cat - clarinet, Wolf - horn. After familiarizing yourself with the presented instruments, listen to this piece again and try to remember how each instrument sounds.
Sergei Prokofiev: "Peter and the Wolf"
Bow string instruments.
All bowed stringed instruments consist of vibrating strings stretched over a resonating wooden body (deck). To extract the sound, a horsehair bow is used, clamping the strings in different positions on the fretboard, sounds of different heights are obtained. The bowed string instrument family is the largest of the , grouped into a huge section with musicians playing the same line of music.
A 4-string bowed instrument, the highest sounding in its family and the most important in the orchestra. The violin has such a combination of beauty and expressiveness of sound as, perhaps, no other instrument. But violinists often have a reputation for being nervous and scandalous.
Felix Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Alt - in appearance, a copy of the violin, only slightly larger, which is why it sounds in a lower register and is a little more difficult to play than the violin. Traditionally, the viola plays a supporting role in the orchestra. Violists are often the target of jokes and anecdotes in the musical environment. There were three sons in the family - two are smart, and the third is a violist ... P.S. Some consider the viola to be an improved version of the violin.
Robert Schumann "Fairy Tales for viola and piano"
Cello- a large violin, which is played while sitting, holding the instrument between the knees and resting it with a spire on the floor. The cello has a rich low sound, wide expressive abilities and a detailed technique of performance. The performing qualities of the cello won the hearts of a huge number of fans.
Dmitry Shostakovich Sonata for cello and piano
double bass- the lowest in sound and the largest in size (up to 2 meters) among the family of bowed stringed instruments. Double bassists must stand or sit on a high chair to reach the top of the instrument. The double bass has a thick, hoarse and somewhat muffled timbre and is the bass foundation of the entire orchestra.
Dmitri Shostakovich Sonata for cello and piano (see cello)
Woodwind instruments.
A large family of various instruments, not necessarily made of wood. Sound is generated by the vibration of air passing through the instrument. Pressing the keys shortens/lengthens the air column and changes the pitch. Each instrument usually has its own solo line, although it can be performed by several musicians.
The main instruments of the woodwind family.
- modern flutes are very rarely made of wood, more often of metal (including precious metals), sometimes of plastic and glass. The flute is held horizontally. The flute is one of the highest sounding instruments in the orchestra. The most virtuosic and technically agile instrument in the wind family, thanks to these virtues, she is often entrusted with an orchestral solo.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Flute Concerto No. 1
Oboe- a melodic instrument with a lower range than a flute. The shape is slightly conical, the oboe has a melodious, but somewhat nasal timbre, and even sharp in the upper register. It is mainly used as an orchestral solo instrument. Since oboists must twist their faces while playing, they are sometimes perceived as abnormal people.
Vincenzo Bellini Concerto for oboe and orchestra
Clarinet- There are several sizes, depending on the required sound height. The clarinet uses only one reed (reed), rather than the double reed of a flute or bassoon. The clarinet has a wide range, warm, soft timbre and provides the performer with a wide range of expressive possibilities.
Test yourself: Karl stole corals from Clara, and Clara stole the clarinet from Karl.
Carl Maria von Weber Clarinet Concerto No. 1
The lowest sounding of the woodwinds, it is used both for the bass line and as an alternative melody instrument. An orchestra usually has three or four bassoons. Due to its size, the bassoon is harder to play than other instruments of this family.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Bassoon Concerto
Brass wind instruments.
The loudest group of instruments in a symphony orchestra, the principle of extracting sounds is the same as that of woodwind instruments - "press and blow". Each instrument plays its own solo line - there is a lot of material. At different epochs of its history, the symphony orchestra changed groups of instruments in its composition, some decline in interest in wind instruments occurred in the era of romanticism, in the 20th century new performing possibilities of brass instruments were discovered and their repertoire expanded significantly.
Horn (horn)- originally derived from the hunting horn, the French horn can be soft and expressive or harsh and creaky. Typically, an orchestra uses from 2 to 8 horns, depending on the piece.
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade
An instrument with a high clear sound, very suitable for fanfare. Like the clarinet, the trumpet comes in a variety of sizes, each with its own timbre. Distinguished by great technical mobility, the trumpet brilliantly fulfills its role in the orchestra, it is possible to play a wide, bright timbre and a long length of melodic phrases on it.
Joseph Haydn Trumpet Concerto
Plays more of a bass line than a melodic one. It differs from other brass instruments in the presence of a special movable U-shaped tube - backstage, moving which back and forth the musician changes the sound of the instrument.
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Trombone Concerto
Percussion musical instruments.
The oldest and most numerous among the groups of musical instruments. Often the drums are affectionately called the "kitchen" of the orchestra, and the performers are called the "jack of all trades". The musicians deal with percussion instruments quite "hard": they beat them with sticks, hit each other, shake them - and all this in order to set the rhythm of the orchestra, as well as to give color and originality to the music. Sometimes a car horn or a device that imitates wind noise (eolyphon) is added to the drums. Consider only two percussion instruments:
- a hemispherical metal body covered with a leather membrane, the timpani can sound very loud or, conversely, soft, like a distant roll of thunder, sticks with heads made of different materials are used to extract different sounds: wood, felt, leather. The orchestra usually has two to five timpani, it is very interesting to watch the timpani play.
Johann Sabastian Bach Toccata and Fugue
Cymbals (paired)- convex round metal discs of different sizes and with an indefinite pitch. As noted, a symphony can last ninety minutes, and you only have to hit the cymbals once, imagine what responsibility for the exact result.
