What is a desk in an orchestra?
In a typical stage set-up, the first and second violins, violas and cellos are seated by twos, a pair of performers sharing a stand being called a “desk”, Each principal (or section leader) is usually on the “outside” of the first desk, that is, closest to the audience.
How many players are in a string section?
String orchestras can be of chamber orchestra size ranging from between 12 (4 first violins, 3 second violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos and 1 bass = 12) and 21 musicians (6 first violins, 5 second violins, 4 violas, 4 cellos and 2 double basses= 21) sometimes performing without a conductor.
What instruments are in the string section of an orchestra?
The strings are the largest family of instruments in the orchestra and they come in four sizes: the violin, which is the smallest, viola, cello, and the biggest, the double bass, sometimes called the contrabass.
Where does the brass section sit in the orchestra?
back
The brass family usually sits across the back of the orchestra. The HORN is in the back row of the orchestra, behind the bassoons and clarinets. The horn is a very long brass tube wrapped around in a circle several times.
How are violas different from violins?
So what are the differences between a viola and violin? The most obvious difference you’ll notice when you place a violin and viola next to each other is their size. The viola is bigger, with an average body length of between 15.5 and 16.5 inches for adults, compared to the violin which is between 13 and 14 inches.
What is the lowest sounding instrument?
Lowest Pitched Instruments in the Woodwind Family
- Bass Saxophone. A bass saxophone is the most commonly played variation of low-pitched saxophone.
- Contrabass Saxophone.
- Subcontrabass Saxophone.
- Bass Clarinet.
- Contrabass Clarinet.
- Bass Oboe.
- Double Bassoon / Contrabassoon.
- Trombone.
Do string sections play chords?
Generally, the individual string sections do not play in chords, or divided (hence the term divisii). To form chords, the strings usually play individual lines that fall into the general ranges, high to low, of soprano, alto, tenor and bass, corresponding to 1st violins, 2nd violins, violas and cellos respectively.
What is the meaning of string section?
Definition of the string section : the instruments of an orchestra (such as the cello, violin, or piano) that have strings or the musicians who play them.
What makes the sound louder on the string instruments?
Most stringed instruments have something that amplifies the sound (makes it louder). This is called the soundbox or resonator. The soundbox is often the largest part of the instrument or the body of the instrument. The top of the soundbox, called the sound board, is usually made of a type of wood that vibrates.
What is a string section?
“String section” is also used to describe a group of bowed string instruments used in rock, pop, jazz and commercial music. In this context the size and composition of the string section is less standardised, and usually smaller, than a classical complement. Stanley Sadie’s Music Guide, p. 56 (Prentice-Hall 1986).
What are the instruments in the string section?
String section. The string section is composed of bowed instruments belonging to the violin family. It normally consists of first and second violins, violas, cellos, and double basses (or basses). It is the most numerous group in the typical Classical orchestra. In discussions of the instrumentation of a musical work,…
Where are the string sections located in an orchestra?
The string sections are at the front of the orchestra, arrayed in a semicircle around the conductor’s podium. The string section is composed of bowed instruments belonging to the violin family.
How is the size of a string section determined?
The size of a string section may be expressed with a formula of the type (for example) 10-10-8-10-6, designating the number of first violins, second violins, violas, cellos, and basses. The numbers can vary widely: Wagner in Die Walküre specifies 16-16-12-12-8; the band orchestra in Darius Milhaud ‘s La création du monde is 1-1-0-1-1.