The String Section

The Violin section consists of two sections the first Violins which on average contain 14 players and the seconded violins, which contain, on average 12 players. The violin is the highest member of the string family. The string family makes up round 70% of the orchestra. The violin is played by a bow being pressed, against the string thus vibrating the string, but it can also be plucked, this is the action where the right hand vibrates the string. this is indicated in music by 'Pizz' (Pizzicato). The Violin Section also contains the leader of the orchestra, the person is responsible for tuning the orchestra, and is a vital connection between the conductor and the payer. The leader is the outer player of the 1st desk of 1st violins.

This is a short video clip of a violin playing, hover your mouse over the video clip below to start playing:

The Violas:

This section is also part of the string section but is lower than the violins, unlike the violins the violin section reads in Alto clef, rather than the normal treble or bass clef. This section normal contains around ten players.

The Cello's:

This section is commonly know as the cello section, pronounced chello, but it can also be know as the violoncello. This instruments reads in bass clef as it is somewhat lower than the violin. The cello section consist of 8 players

The Basses:

This section the double bass section, The lowest String instrument in the orchestra thus the largest. Therefore is also reads in bass clef. The double bass section consists of 8 players.

The Harp

There is normally only one or two harps in an orchestra. The sound of a harp is produced like the pizzicato on a violin.