Introducing The Violin Family

The modern violin family comprises the violin, the viola, the cello and double bass. Together they form the backbone of the modern symphony orchestra and are the most used bowed string instruments in the world today. Although all share a place in classical music, they are also used in film scores, jazz, electronic, rock, country, folk and popular music, where they are often amplified.

Family names stem from ‘viola’ derived from the Latin word ‘vitula’ meaning ‘stringed instrument.’ A violin is a quite literally a “little viola”, a violone is a “big viola” or bass violin, and a ‘violoncello’ (cello) is a “small violone” (literally, a “small big viola”). The violone itself is not part of the modern violin family; its place is taken by the modern double bass, an instrument with a mix of violin and violone characteristics.

A string quartet, popular in classical chamber music, is composed entirely of instruments from the modern violin family: two violins, one viola and one cello. The close similarity of violin family members allows string quartets to blend their tone, colour and timbre more easily than other instruments.

Massed choral use of the violin developed in the French Court of Louis XIV, whose vingt-quatre violons du Roi (“24 violins of the king”) became a model for the European orchestra.

All members of the violin family are basically similar in structure, nomenclature, and playing method. The shape represents an extremely efficient method for the production and amplification of tone, as well as flexibility and convenience for the player. The nomenclature of these instruments is basically anthropomorphic, with the playing surface being termed the belly, the opposite side the back, and the sides the ribs. Names of some parts, however, seem to hint at the origins of bowed instruments among the horse cultures of Central Asia—e.g., tailpiece, saddle, and tailpin. Attributes that influenced the development the guitar family of instruments.

The violin family developed in Italy during the 16th century and are all fairly difficult to play, requiring many arduous years of practice before they are mastered. However, the result of the effort is rewarding.

The Violin Families (Weird) Cousin

Every family has a weird cousin or two and in the violin family, that honour probably goes to the Octobass. A larger version of the double bass and a rarely seen member of this family. It is extremely unwieldy to play and requires the use of a step ladder. The octobass is played standing on a platform and its range typically reaches an octave below the double bass, delivering a truly guttural sound.