Individual Stringed
Instruments
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Instrument Specifics:
•Clef
•Tuning
•Range
•Quality of each string
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The Violin
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Violin Tuning
Violin is tuned:
G3, D4, A4, E5
Violin is NOT a transposing instrument – sounds exactly as written on
score
© by Karleen Heong for Orchestration Course on Udemy
Clef and Range
• Violin uses the TREBLE CLEF
• Violin’s practical range is G3 to A7 (this does not include harmonics)
• In solo and chamber music, higher notes are possible for skilled
players
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Clef and Range
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G String
• Thickest and lowest string on the Violin (String number IV or
fourth string)
• Timbre is dark, rich, full and sonorous
• Higher up the G string is very intense but less focused (e.g.
Paganini Variations on the G String)
• Range of G String on Violin is G3 – D5
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D String
• Second lowest string on the Violin (String number III or third string)
• Of the four strings, has weakest sound (not rich like the G string and
not brilliant like the A and E strings), is calm with some degree of
warmth
• Higher up the string is mellow
• Range of D String on Violin is D4 – A5
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A String
• Second highest string on the Violin (String number II or second
string)
• A string has a brilliant quality but mellower than the highest E
string (if playing equivalent notes)
• A string is quite expressive
• Range of A String on Violin is A4 – E6
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E String
• Highest string on the Violin (String number I or first string)
• E string has the most brilliant tone, piercing, bright – carries
across a room very well
• Upper range is very bright
• Playing E string softly gives a shimmering effect
• Range of E String on Violin is E5 – G7
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Range Considerations
• Note that string ranges cited do not take into account harmonics
which would extend the pitch of the string even higher
• The uppermost note possible depends on the player and their
ability. You can ‘play it safe’ by not using the uppermost notes so
most players will be able to play what you’ve written.
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The Viola
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Viola Tuning
Viola is tuned:
C3, G3, D4, A4 (the highest 3 strings are the same pitches as the
violin’s 3 lowest strings) also note tuning is in fifths
just like the violin
Viola is NOT a transposing instrument – sounds exactly as written on
score
© by Karleen Heong for Orchestration Course on Udemy
Clef and Range
• Viola uses the ALTO CLEF (also called C clef – line in the middle of
staff is middle C).
• High notes can be written in treble clef to avoid leger lines (usually
for passages, not single notes)
• Viola’s practical range is C3 to E6 (this does not include harmonics)
• In solo and chamber music, higher notes are possible for skilled
players
© by Karleen Heong for Orchestration Course on Udemy
Clef and Range
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C String
• Thickest and lowest string on the Viola (String number IV or
fourth string)
• Dark, thick, rich and sombre – the characteristic viola sound,
darker than violin
• Range of C String on Viola is C3 – G4
© by Karleen Heong for Orchestration Course on Udemy
G String
• Second lowest string on the Viola (String number III or third string)
• G string has a medium level of richness, still has a dark tone
• Weaker string (non-characteristic of viola)
• Very common to use G and D strings of the Viola for
accompaniment
• Range of G String on Viola is G3 – D5
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D String
• Second highest string on the Viola (String number II or second string)
• D string is quiet and warm, retains dark quality
• Weaker string (non-characteristic of viola)
• Commonly used with G string to accompany and reinforce other
instruments
• Range of D String on Viola is D4 – A5
© by Karleen Heong for Orchestration Course on Udemy
A String
• Highest string on the Viola (String number I or first string)
• A string is brilliant, reedy, nasally, has good carrying power, able to able
to pierce through other instruments
• Most brilliant and bright Viola string, but not as brilliant as Violin’s E
string
• Used for Viola solo passages
• Range of A String on Viola is A4 – A6
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Viola Blending Capabilities
Viola is good for blending with other instruments of the orchestra due to its
timbre and darker tone. Good for:
• Doubling Violins an octave lower, playing unison with Violins, doubling
Cello lines an octave higher
• Usually used with Second Violin as accompaniment, filling in inner voices,
rhythmic figures etc.
• Good for mellower and sombre solos
• Blends well with Woodwinds, can double quieter trumpets, trombones
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Viola Careful Considerations
• Viola has a heavier bow than Violin and its strings are thicker and have
more resistance, so it requires more strength to play – lighter
articulations may be more difficult than on Violin
• Viola is larger than Violin therefore smaller hands may find it difficult to
play high notes, but larger hands will be able to reach more high notes
• Harmonics are easier than Violin due to thicker strings
• Viola can be as agile as Violin in the hands of a skilled player
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The Cello
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Cello Tuning
Cello is tuned:
C2, G2, D3, A3 (exactly one octave lower than the viola)
Cello is NOT a transposing instrument – sounds exactly as written on
score
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Clef and Range
• Cello uses the BASS CLEF
• Higher cello passages are also written using TENOR CLEF and
TREBLE CLEF to avoid too many leger lines (Tenor clef: Middle C is on the
2nd line from top)
• See resources about all clefs
• Cello’s practical range is C2 to C6 (this does not include harmonics)
© by Karleen Heong for Orchestration Course on Udemy
Clef and Range
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C String
• Thickest and lowest string on the Cello (String number IV or
fourth string)
• Rich, heavy, very sonorous bass
• Range of C String on Cello is C2 – G3
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G String
• Second lowest string on the Cello (String number III or third string)
• G string is the weakest cello string – similar timbre to C string but
with less power, can still play loud, does not carry as well as Cello’s
other strings
• Range of G String on Cello is G2 – D4
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D String
• Second highest string on the Cello (String number II or second
string)
• D string on Cello is lyrical, warm and tranquil, not harsh,
mesmerising tone
• Range of D String on Cello is D3 – A4
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A String
• Highest string on the Cello (String number I or first string)
• A string on Cello is brilliant, piercing, rich, powerful and melodious
• Arguably the most expressive and powerful string in the string
family
• Range of A String on Cello is A3 – C6
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Cello in Orchestration
• Harmonics work well due to Cello’s longer, heavier strings
• Cello is commonly used for solos due to its incredible dynamic,
expressive range and power – most typically using the A string
• Cello is good for doubling other instruments, some common
doublings are with double bass (doubled an octave higher),
clarinets, bass clarinets, bassoons, horns, and timpani (with
pizzicato)
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The Double Bass
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Double Bass Tuning
Double Bass is tuned:
E1, A1, D2, G2 (tuned in fourths)
Double Bass with C extension:
C1, A1, D2, G2 (using either C extension or even 5 string bass)
Double Bass IS A TRANSPOSING instrument – sounds 1 octave lower than
written
Double Bass written on a score is:
E2, A2, D3, G3
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Clef and Range
• Double Bass uses the BASS CLEF
• For Double Bass solos, natural harmonics can be used for high notes
• Double Bass’s practical range is E2 to C5 (written), actual sound is
E1 to C4
• Double Bass’s practical range with low C is C2 to C5 (written)
• May use Tenor clef sometimes, Treble clef is rare
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Clef and Range
*Actual sound is an octave lower (E1-C4)
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E String
• Thickest and lowest string on the Double Bass (String number IV
or fourth string)
• E string on Double Bass is dark, thick, heavy, sombre, dull
• Range of E String on Double Bass is E2 – B3 (written), E1 – B2
(sounding)
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A String
• Second lowest string on the Double Bass (String number III or third
string)
• Double Bass’s A string is similar to E string but a tad brighter with
more buzz, still dull but not as dark or heavy
• Range of A String on Double Bass is A2 – E4 (written), A1 – E3
(sounding)
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D String
• Second highest string on the Double Bass (String number II or
second string)
• D string on Double Bass is rich, mellow, reedy
• Range of D String on Double Bass is D3 – A4 (written), D2 – A3
(sounding)
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G String
• Highest string on the Double Bass (String number I or first string)
• G string on Double Bass is rich, expressive, can be aggressive or
melodious just as easily, is very adaptable
• Range of G String on Double Bass is G3 – G5 (written), G2 – G4
(sounding)
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Low C Considerations
• Using the Low C with string extension:
• Some orchestras have double basses equipped with this device, some do not
• If you intend to write notes that use this, it’s always best to write an
alternative part for a regular bass
• The extension works with metal spring loaded pegs that can either all be
released (for low C tuning) or all pressed down (for normal tuning). To play the
notes in between C and E the metal pegs can be pressed and released (it takes
a second or so) and fingering is not possible on other strings during this time
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Clef and Score-Writing Considerations
• Double Bass always sounds an octave lower than written NO
MATTER THE CLEF
• One exception to this rule is Harmonics, which are notated on
Treble clef at SOUNDING PITCH to avoid high leger lines (but still
best to clarify in your score)
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Bow Considerations
• Double Bass bow is heavy and short – more direction changes
are needed when bowing
• This means if Double Bass is playing similar lines to other string
family members, it needs more bow changes compared to violin,
viola and cello
• You can achieve this by staggering bow changes within the
double basses
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Articulation Considerations
• Avoid Artificial Harmonics - difficult unless player has large hands,
usually only use a minor third above stopped note
• Natural harmonics are very easy to play and sound well – use them!
• Avoid Multiple Stops if possible by playing divisi – Double stops can
be played (best with one string open), but the sound is still muddy.
Triple and quadruple stops are not possible
• Bowing techniques like sul ponticello or bowing in unusual spots are
all possible and sound quite good © by Karleen Heong for Orchestration Course on Udemy
Double Bass in Orchestration
• Double Bass sound is not strong like the other string family
instruments, it does not carry as well
• Solos for Double Bass are thin and weak, but 2 or more double
basses can be loud – Double Bass solos are uncommon (but
getting more common)
• Double Bass is not as agile due to the thick and heavy bow – be
careful when doubling fast passages with cello
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Double Bass in Orchestration
• Double Bass is most typically used to play the bassline or double
another instrument’s bassline, usually an octave lower
• Pizzicato is extremely common on Double Bass, it sounds warm
and full with good sustain, pizzicato figures are popular
• Middle-upper range can be quite intense
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