Meet the String Family!

Stretch a rubber band between your two thumbs and pluck it. Feel it vibrate? That tiny movement makes a sound! Now imagine that rubber band is a very long, very tight string on a tall wooden instrument. What kind of sound do you think it might make? Think about this as we begin today's lesson.

The string family is a group of instruments that all make sound in the same way — by vibrating strings. The strings can be bowed (pulled across with a stick called a bow) or plucked (pinched and released with a finger). There are four main members of the string family. Think of them as a family from youngest and smallest to tallest and largest. **Violin** — The smallest member! It sits under the player's chin. Because it is small and its strings are short and thin, it makes a high, bright sound. You hear violins leading the melody in many orchestras. **Viola** — A little bigger than the violin. It also rests under the chin. Its tone is a bit darker and warmer than the violin. It plays slightly lower notes. **Cello** — Much bigger! A cello player sits on a chair and rests the instrument between their knees, with a small spike holding it up from the floor. Its longer, thicker strings make a rich, deep sound — lower than the viola. **Double Bass** — The giant of the family! It is so tall that the player stands or sits on a high stool to reach it. Its strings are very long and thick, making the lowest, most rumbling sound of all. Here is the big idea: **bigger instrument = longer strings = lower pitch**. Pitch is how high or low a sound is. Short, thin strings vibrate quickly and make a high pitch. Long, thick strings vibrate slowly and make a low pitch.