violinfamily

The violin family is a group of related bowed string instruments used in many musical traditions, most prominently Western classical music. The core members are the violin, viola, cello, and double bass. They share a common design: carved wooden bodies with arched tops and backs, a neck and fingerboard, a bridge and sound post, four strings, and a tailpiece, with the larger instruments generally resting on the floor on an endpin.

Tuning and range: the violin is tuned in fifths to G3–D4–A4–E5; the viola to C3–G3–D4–A4; the cello to C2–G2–D3–A3; and the double bass to E1–A1–D2–G2. Sizes vary, including fractional instruments from 1/16 to 7/8, with the 4/4 size used by most adults. Violin and viola are typically held on the shoulder, while cello and bass rest on the floor.

Playing technique: all four are usually played with a bow made of horsehair and rosin, though they can be plucked (pizzicato) or plucked with the left hand. The instruments produce sound through the vibration of their strings, amplified by the wooden body. Intonation and tone depend on precise finger placement, bow control, and setup, including the bridge, nut, pegs, and sound post.

History and use: the modern violin family originated in 16th–17th-century Italy, with prominent luthiers such as Amati, Stradivari, and Guarneri contributing to its development. By the 18th century it formed the core of the orchestra. Beyond classical music, the family is used in folk, jazz, and contemporary genres, and remains central to solo and chamber performance.