Buy Violins, Cellos, and Other Orchestral Instruments in Bangor, Maine
Buy violins, cellos, and other orchestral instruments in Bangor, Maine, at Knapp’s Music Center. We have assorted brands, including Strad, Nikola, Mendini, and more. Call us at (207) 947-8888 or (855) 870-8823 or contact us online to ask us about our inventory.
Orchestral Instruments 101: the Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass
Orchestras often include strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments. Stringed orchestral instruments vary wider than plucked stringed instruments. Unlike guitars, mandolins, and banjos, musicians do not play these kinds of instruments by plucking or strumming, except for harps. While larger symphonic orchestras often have harps, generally, orchestral strings usually include the Italian-originated violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Below is an explanation of all of them:
The Violin
The violin slightly resembles the guitar, but is much smaller, has fewer strings, and held above the torso. Violins have fretless fingerboards and chin rests at the bottom end of the instruments’ fronts. The four strings connect to tuning pegs and a tailpiece. They run over a bridge which sends the strings’ vibrations to the soundboard. Violin strings are pitched in the keys of G, D, A, and E. The interior holds the treble foot of the bridge which is wedged between the soundboard and back. This creates the soundpost, which sends vibrations to the back of the violin. All of this lends to the instrument’s distinct tone. The soundboard is supported from underneath by the bass bar, which also contributes to the instrument’s bright, high-pitched sound.
The Viola
Many have mistaken the viola for the violin—they look and sound alike in many ways. Musicians play both instruments with bows and hold them above their torsos. The viola is identical in structure to the violin but is larger with thicker strings. When played along with a violin, the viola’s sound has a markedly deeper and mellow sound. Viola strings are pitched in the keys of C, G, D, and A.
The Cello
The cello’s full name in Italian is the violoncello, or “small large violin.” While the cello structurally resembles the violin and viola, it is much larger. Rather than holding the cello while standing up, musicians generally sit while using a bow to play it. The cello also has four strings. Cello strings are pitched upward from two octaves below middle C in the keys of C, G, D, and A. Cello tones can range high, but often sound deeper than violins and violas. This instrument is the second-largest bowed string instrument—the first is the double bass.
The Double Bass
Double basses look nearly identical to cellos. The double bass is the lowest-pitched of the basic orchestral strings, often strung an octave lower than the cello. In jazz ensembles, musicians sometimes pluck the double bass strings, but they usually get bowed in orchestras. The strings are heavy and pitched in the keys of E1, A1, D, and G.
The Violin
The violin slightly resembles the guitar, but is much smaller, has fewer strings, and held above the torso. Violins have fretless fingerboards and chin rests at the bottom end of the instruments’ fronts. The four strings connect to tuning pegs and a tailpiece. They run over a bridge which sends the strings’ vibrations to the soundboard. Violin strings are pitched in the keys of G, D, A, and E. The interior holds the treble foot of the bridge which is wedged between the soundboard and back. This creates the soundpost, which sends vibrations to the back of the violin. All of this lends to the instrument’s distinct tone. The soundboard is supported from underneath by the bass bar, which also contributes to the instrument’s bright, high-pitched sound.
The Viola
Many have mistaken the viola for the violin—they look and sound alike in many ways. Musicians play both instruments with bows and hold them above their torsos. The viola is identical in structure to the violin but is larger with thicker strings. When played along with a violin, the viola’s sound has a markedly deeper and mellow sound. Viola strings are pitched in the keys of C, G, D, and A.
The Cello
The cello’s full name in Italian is the violoncello, or “small large violin.” While the cello structurally resembles the violin and viola, it is much larger. Rather than holding the cello while standing up, musicians generally sit while using a bow to play it. The cello also has four strings. Cello strings are pitched upward from two octaves below middle C in the keys of C, G, D, and A. Cello tones can range high, but often sound deeper than violins and violas. This instrument is the second-largest bowed string instrument—the first is the double bass.
The Double Bass
Double basses look nearly identical to cellos. The double bass is the lowest-pitched of the basic orchestral strings, often strung an octave lower than the cello. In jazz ensembles, musicians sometimes pluck the double bass strings, but they usually get bowed in orchestras. The strings are heavy and pitched in the keys of E1, A1, D, and G.
Instruments for Ellsworth, and Hampden, Maine, and Surrounding Areas
At Knapp’s Music Center, we sell orchestral and other instruments plus offer customers instrument service and repair. We provide both new and used instrument sales with an extensive inventory. Call if you want a piano in Ellsworth, Maine, a woodwind in Hampden, Maine, or drum kit in Bangor, Maine. We also sell music accessories, amplifiers, guitars, and more. Guitar lessons are also available. Contact us if you live or work in:
Bar Harbor, Maine | Bangor, Maine | Belfast, Maine | Brewer, Maine | Bucksport, Maine | Camden, Maine | Ellsworth, Maine | Glenburn, Maine | Hampden, Maine | Hermon, Maine | Newport, Maine | Rockland, Maine | And surrounding areas
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for violins, cellos, and other orchestral instruments in Bangor, Maine.
