Instrument Families of the

Symphony Orchestra

String
Family
 Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
• Click through this Power Point to learn about the instruments of the String
Family

• Complete the worksheet as you go through the presentation.

 Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
The String Family
1. 5 Main Instruments:

Violin - smallest and highest; plays melody

Viola – look like violins but have a lower sound

Cello (or Violoncello) – too big to place under chin;

held between knees

Double Bass - biggest and lowest string instrument.

Players stand or sit on tall stools to
play these giant instruments.
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
• Listen to the instruments of the String Family

Violin Viola Cello Double Bass

2. Label the parts of the string instrument

1._ Scroll__

2. Tuning Peg
3. Peg Box
4. Nut_

5. Fingerboard_

6. Strings_

7. Soundboard

8. Sound holes_

9. Bridge_
 Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
The Harp
3. How many strings
are on a harp?

The harp has 47 strings!

How is it different?

a. It has a different shape and does not use a bow

 Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
4. The Bow - drawn across the strings of the instrument
causing them to vibrate.
 It is made of wood and horsehair!!

5. Rosin – sticky substance placed on the

horsehair of the bow to help it stick to
the strings. (sort of like hair gel!)
 Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
Other Important Information:

6. The Amati Family - A father, two sons, and a grandson.

They were the first famous family of violin makers in Italy.

7. Antonio Stradivari - A student of Nicola Amati (the

grandson). He was the greatest violin maker of all
time. He made hundreds of violins. Some of them are
worth MILLIONS of dollars today!!

Antonio Stradivari creating

a violin
 Stradivarian Instruments in D.C!

• These instruments can be found at the

Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
and are worth between 3 to 15-million dollars
each!
Turn your worksheet in to the
substitute.
• Now you may work on the other String Family
Worksheet. When completed, turn in to the substitute.