Of course, everyone knows the violin. The most refined and sophisticated among string instruments, the violin is a way of transmitting the emotions of a skilled performer to the listener. While sometimes gloomy, unrestrained and even rude, she remains tender and vulnerable, beautiful and sensual.
We have prepared for you some fascinating facts about this magical musical instrument. You will learn how a violin works, how many strings it has, and what works are written by composers for the violin.
How does a violin work?
Its structure is simple: body, neck and strings. Tool accessories vary widely in their purpose and importance. For example, one should not overlook the bow, thanks to which sound is extracted from the strings, or the chinrest and bridge, which allow the performer to place the instrument most comfortably on the left shoulder.
There are also accessories like a machine, which allows the violinist to correct the tuning that has changed for any reason without wasting time, in contrast to the use of string holders - pegs, which are much more difficult to work with.
There are only four strings themselves, always tuned to the same notes - E, A, D and G. violins? From different materials - they can be vein, silk or metal.
The first string on the right is tuned to E of the second octave and is the thinnest of all the strings presented. The second string, together with the third, “personify” the notes “A” and “D”, respectively. They have an average, almost identical thickness. Both notes are in the first octave. The last, thickest and bassiest string is the fourth string, tuned to the note “G” of the small octave.
Each string has its own timbre - from piercing (“E”) to thick (“Sol”). This is what allows the violinist to convey emotions so skillfully. The sound also depends on the bow - the reed itself and the hair stretched over it.
What types of violins are there?
The answer to this question may be confusing and varied, but we will answer quite simply: there are the most familiar wooden violins for us - the so-called acoustic ones, and there are also electric violins. The latter operate on electricity, and their sound is heard thanks to the so-called “speaker” with an amplifier - a combo. There is no doubt that these instruments are designed differently, although they may look the same in appearance. The technique of playing an acoustic and electronic violin is not significantly different, but you have to get used to an analog electronic instrument in its own way.
What works are written for violin?
The works are a separate topic for reflection, because the violin shows itself magnificently both as a soloist and in music. Therefore, solo concerts, sonatas, partitas, caprices and plays of other genres are written for the violin, as well as parts for all kinds of duets, quartets and other ensembles.
The violin can participate in almost all types of music. Most often at the moment it is included in classics, folklore and rock. You can even hear the violin in children's cartoons and their Japanese adaptations - anime. All this only contributes to the increasing popularity of the instrument and only confirms that the violin will never disappear.
Famous violin makers
Also, don't forget about the violin makers. Probably the most famous is Antonio Stradivari. All his instruments are very expensive, they were valued in the past. Stradivarius violins are the most famous. During his lifetime, he made more than 1,000 violins, but at the moment between 150 and 600 instruments have survived - the information in various sources is sometimes amazing in its diversity.
Other families associated with violin making include the Amati family. Different generations of this large Italian family improved bowed musical instruments, including improving the structure of the violin, achieving a strong and expressive sound from it.
Famous violinists: who are they?
The violin was once a folk instrument, but over time the technique of playing it became complex and individual virtuoso craftsmen began to emerge from among the people, who delighted the public with their art. Italy has been famous for its violinists since the musical Renaissance. It is enough to name just a few names - Vivaldi, Corelli, Tartini. Niccolo Paganini also came from Italy, whose name is shrouded in legends and secrets.
Among the violinists who came from Russia are such great names as J. Heifetz, D. Oistrakh, L. Kogan. Modern listeners also know the names of current stars in this field of performing arts - these are, for example, V. Spivakov and Vanessa-Mae.
It is believed that in order to start learning to play this instrument, you must have at least good skills, strong nerves and patience, which will help you overcome five to seven years of study. Of course, such a thing cannot do without disruptions and failures, however, as a rule, even these are only beneficial. The study time will be difficult, but the result is worth the pain.
Material dedicated to the violin cannot be left without music. Listen to the famous music of Saint-Saëns. You've probably heard it before, but do you know what kind of work it is?
C. Saint-Saens Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso
The violin is a high-register bowed musical instrument. It acquired its modern appearance in the 16th century and became widespread in the 17th century. It has four strings tuned in fifths: g, d1,a1,e2 (“G” of the small octave, “D”, “A” of the first octave, “E” of the second octave), range from g (“G” of the small octave) to a4 (“A” of the fourth octave) and higher. The violin's timbre is thick in the low register, soft in the middle and brilliant in the upper.
The violin consists of two main parts: the body and the neck, along which the strings are stretched.
Frame
The body of the violin has a specific round shape, with rounded grooves on the sides forming a “waist”. The roundness of the external contours and waist lines ensures comfortable play, particularly in high positions. Bottom and top planes of the body - decks - connected to each other by strips of wood - shells . They have a convex shape, forming “arches”. The geometry of the vaults, as well as their thickness and its distribution, to one degree or another, determine the strength and timbre of the sound. Placed inside the case darling , communicating vibrations from coasters - through top deck — lower deck . Without it, the timbre of the violin loses its liveliness and fullness.
Bottom deck made from solid maple wood (other hardwoods), or from two symmetrical halves.
Top deck made from resonant spruce.
Has two resonator holes - f-holes (in shape they resemble the Latin letter f).
To the middle top deck rests stand , on which they rely strings , attached to tailpiece (underneck) .
Stand acts as a support for the strings from the side of the body and transmits vibrations from them to the soundboards, to the upper one directly, and to the lower one through the soundboard. Therefore, the position of the bridge affects the timbre of the instrument. It has been experimentally established that even a small shift of the stand leads to a significant change in the tuning of the instrument due to a change in the scale length and to a slight change in timbre - when moving towards the neck the sound is duller, while from there it is brighter. The stand raises the strings above the top soundboard to different heights so that each of them can be played with a bow; it distributes them at a greater distance from one another on an arc of a larger radius than the nut, so that when playing on one string the bow does not catch the neighboring ones.
Shells They combine the lower and upper soundboards to form the side surface of the violin body. Their height determines the volume and timbre of the violin, fundamentally affecting the sound quality: the higher the shells, the duller and softer the sound, the lower the shells, the more piercing and transparent the upper notes. The shells, like the soundboards, are made from maple wood.
Darling - a round spacer made of spruce wood, which mechanically connects the soundboards and transmits string tension and high-frequency vibrations to the lower soundboard. Its ideal location is determined experimentally; as a rule, the end of the choker is located under the foot of the stand on the side of the E string, or next to it. The earpiece can only be rearranged by the master, since its slightest movement significantly affects the sound of the instrument.
(here you can see the darling inside the violin through the hole in the f-hole)
Underneck , or tailpiece , serves for fastening strings. Previously made from hard ebony or mahogany (usually ebony or rosewood, respectively). Currently, it is often made from plastics or light alloys. On one side of the neck there is a loop, on the other there are four holes with slots for attaching strings. The end of the string with the button is threaded into the round hole, after which it is pressed into the slot by pulling the string towards the fingerboard. Nowadays, they are often installed in the holes of the neck lever-screw machines , making setup much easier.
Button — the head of a wooden peg, inserted into the hole in the body, located on the side opposite the fingerboard, serves to fasten the underneck. The wedge is inserted into a conical hole corresponding to its size and shape, completely and tightly, otherwise cracking of the plug and shell is possible. The load on the button is very high, about 24 kg.
Vulture
Violin neck - a long board made of solid hard wood (black ebony or rosewood), curved in cross-section so that when playing on one string the bow does not catch adjacent strings. The bottom of the neck is glued to cervix , which goes into head , consisting of tuning box And curl .
Threshold - an ebony plate located between the fingerboard and the head, with slots for strings. The slots in the nut distribute the strings evenly apart and provide clearance between the strings and the fingerboard.
Neck - a semicircular part, which the performer covers with his hand while playing, structurally unites the violin body, neck and head. The neck with the nut is attached to the neck from above.
This is how sound is made from a violin
Pegs box - part of the neck in which a slot is made at the front, two pairs are inserted on both sides pegs , with the help of which it is produced string tuning . Pegs are conical rods. The rod is inserted into a conical hole in the peg box and adjusted to it - failure to comply with this condition can lead to destruction of the structure. For tighter or smoother rotation, the pegs are respectively slightly pressed or pulled out of the box when rotating, and for smooth rotation they must be lubricated with lapping paste. The pegs should not protrude too much from the peg box. The pegs are usually made of ebony and are often decorated with mother-of-pearl or metal (silver, gold) inlay.
Curl always served as something like a brand mark - evidence of the taste and skill of the creator. Some masters replaced the curl with a sculpture, like that of a viol - a carved lion's head, for example, as did Giovanni Paolo Magini (1580-1632). The 19th century masters, lengthening the neck of ancient violins, sought to preserve the head and scroll as a privileged “birth certificate”.
Jacob Steiner (c. 1617 - 1683) was the first known Austrian violin maker.
Play the violin with a bow , which is based on wooden cane , passing from one side to head , on the other is attached block . There is tension between the head and the block ponytail hair . The hair has keratin scales, between which, when rubbed, it becomes impregnated (soaked) rosin , it allows the hair to catch the string and produce sound.
Bow head (top) and shoe (bottom)
About how to properly use the bow, hold the violin, produce sound, etc. another time somewhere in the future somehow another time sometime later. And now you just need to relax and listen to how the violin sounds))
The core of a symphony orchestra is the group, located in the center, directly in front of the audience and the conductor. These are bowed string instruments. The source of sound is the vibration of strings. According to the Hornbostel-Sachs classification, stringed instruments are called chordophones. When two violins, a viola and a cello play together, it becomes a string quartet. This is a chamber room
Predecessors
Double basses, cellos, violas and even violins were not the first to appear; they were preceded by viols, which became popular in the fifteenth century. Their sound was soft and gentle, so very soon they became the favorites of all kinds of orchestras. Bowed string instruments as such appeared long before viols, but they are still much younger than plucked instruments.
The bow was invented in India, even the ancient Greeks did not know about it. Arabs, Persians, and Africans passed it from country to country like a relay baton, and gradually (by the eighth century) the bow came to Europe. Bowed string instruments were formed there, which, changing, gave birth first to the viol, and then to the violin.
Viola
The viols were of different sizes and with different heights of voices, some stood between the knees, others on their knees, and others, larger ones, stood on the bench and had to be played while standing. There were also small viols, which were held, like a violin, on the shoulder. Viola da Gamba is still in orchestras, she has a very unique and beautiful “voice”. It existed victoriously until the eighteenth century, then for some time the cello performed its parts. Only in 1905 did the viola da gamba return to the orchestra. Strings and bows have greatly enriched their sound thanks to her return.
In general, viols have long been more acceptable to aristocrats: they have a refined, seemingly muffled sound; the music sounds organically by candlelight, when the musicians are in velvet robes and powdered wigs. Violins first conquered folk music, so they were not allowed into palaces and salons for a long time; viols and lutes reigned there.
Musical viols were made from the most valuable materials and were also very beautiful, even the heads were often decorated with artistic carvings in the form of flowers, animal or human heads.
Masters
In the fifteenth century, with the advent of violins, lute and viol makers began to retrain as folk fair instruments replaced the old aristocratic ones, since they had much more ability to produce a sound that was expressive and technically skillful. The famous Andrea Amati school was founded in Cremona, which became hereditary. His grandson managed to make violins whose sound was extremely enhanced, while the warmth, softness and variety of timbre were preserved.
Violins began to be able to do everything: express human feelings and even imitate the intonations of the human voice. A century later, another master, Antonio Stradivari, a student, opened his own workshop and also succeeded. Also an outstanding master was Giuseppe Guarneri, who came up with a new, more advanced design for the violin. All these schools were family schools, and both children and grandchildren continued the business. They made not only violins, but also all other stringed bowed instruments.
Names of orchestral instruments
The highest register of bowed string instruments is the violin, and the lowest register is the double bass. Closer to the violin sound - a little lower - the viola sounds, and even lower - the cello. In shape, all bowed string instruments resemble a human figure, only in different sizes.
The body of the violins has two soundboards - lower and upper, the first is made of maple, and the second of spruce. It is the soundboards that are responsible for the quality and strength of the sound. On the top there are figured slots - f-holes, and they look like the letter "f". A neck is attached to the body (on which the violinist’s fingers “run”); it is usually made of ebony, and there are four strings stretched over it. They are fastened with pegs, screwed onto them and stretched. The pitch of the sound depends on the tension by tightening the pegs.
How they are played
The viola is larger than the violin, although it is also held on the shoulder. The cello is even larger and is played while sitting on a chair, placing the instrument on the floor between the legs. The double bass is much larger in size than the cello; the bassist always plays standing, and in rare cases sits down on a high stool.
A bow is a wooden cane on which thick horsehair is stretched, which is then lubricated with rosin - pine resin. Then the bow slightly sticks to the string and, as it were, pulls it along with it. The string vibrates and therefore sounds. All string instruments of a symphony orchestra work precisely according to this principle. When the score requires it, on bowed strings you can produce sound by plucking (pizzicato) and even by striking the wooden part of the bow.
Alto
The viola is very similar in appearance to a violin, it’s just wider and longer, but it has a special timbre, the sound is lower and thicker. Not every violinist will be able to play a viola with a body length of forty-six centimeters plus a neck. The fingers should be strong and long, the hand should be wide and also strong. And, of course, special sensitivity is needed. All these qualities together are quite rare.
Although the viola is not as popular among composers as the rest of the group of bowed string instruments, it is still very important in a symphony orchestra. And when playing solo, for example, the value of this instrument is especially well felt.
Cello
There is no instrument better suited to express feelings such as grief, sadness, sadness, even despair. The cello's voice has a special timbre that pierces the soul, unlike any other instrument. in his “Scarlet Sails” he compared the violin with a pure girl named Assol, and the cello with the passionate Carmen. Indeed, the cello can very deeply convey strong feelings and a vibrant character.
Cellos were made simultaneously with violins by the very first masters, but Antonio Stradivari brought it to perfection. This instrument was not noticed in the orchestra for a long time, leaving it to accompanying parts, but when this voice was truly heard, composers wrote a lot of solo and chamber music for the cello, and performers increasingly improved the technique of playing this instrument.
Double bass
This is the lowest stringed instrument in register. The shape of the double bass is not very similar to a violin: the body is more sloping, its shoulders are close to the neck. Its sound is booming, thick, low, and without the bass register the orchestra will not sound good, so the double bass is simply irreplaceable there. Moreover, it takes root in almost any orchestra - even a jazz one. You can't do without it.
If you compare an orchestral score with a human body, then the bass line is a skeleton, on which, accordingly, the “meat” is the accompaniment, and the melodic line is the “skin”, it is visible to everyone. If we imagine that the skeleton is removed from the body, what happens? Yes, the bag is shapeless. The bass is just as necessary; everything rests on it. What stringed instruments can keep the rhythm of the entire orchestra? Only double basses.
Violin
Bowed string instruments rightfully consider her the queen; when the violin sings, the rest can only sing along. The sound is produced in a cunning way that no other instrument in this group can do. A bow with hard, rough, coarse horsehair, rubbed with rosin, is almost a file, because strong rosin is sprinkled with powder. When the bow touches the string, it immediately sticks and pulls the string along as long as its elasticity is sufficient, then it comes off to immediately stick again. It is this movement of the string - uniform when the bow pulls it, and sinusoidal on its return - that gives that unique timbre.
There is also such subtlety: in other instruments, in guitars, for example, the strings are stretched on rigid metal sills, but in the violin they rest on a wooden, rather flimsy stand, which oscillates when played in both directions, and these vibrations are transmitted to all the strings, even topics that the bow does not touch. This is how subtle overtones are added to the overall picture, which further enrich the sound of the instrument.
Tool capabilities
The intonation freedom of the violin sound is simply endless. She can not only sing, but also whistle, and imitate the creaking of a door and the chirping of a bird. And once on television they showed an April Fool's joke, where a violinist made the audience laugh by imitating sounds that were completely unrelated to music. For example, the unintelligible voice of a dispatcher at a station announcing the arrival of a train. The violin actually pronounced the word “pavtaryaaayu”. Mastery of this instrument most of all depends on the quality of the performer’s hearing, and training must be long. It is not for nothing that children begin to be taught at the age of three or four so that the results are decent.
It is generally accepted that the first stringed instrument was invented by the Indian (according to another version, Ceylonese) king Ravana, who lived about five thousand years ago. This is probably why the distant ancestor of the violin was called the ravanastron. It consisted of an empty cylinder made of mulberry wood, one side of which was covered with the skin of a broad-scaled water boa constrictor. The strings were made from gazelle intestines, and the bow, curved in an arc, was made from bamboo wood. Ravanastron has been preserved to this day among wandering Buddhist monks.
The violin appeared on the professional stage at the end of the 15th century, and its “inventor” was an Italian from Bologna, Gaspar Duifopruggar. The oldest violin, made by him in 1510 for King Franz I, is kept in the Netherland collection in Aachen (Holland). The violin owes its current appearance and, of course, sound to the Italian violin makers Amati, Stradivari and Guarneri. Violins made by Magini are also highly prized. Their violins, made from well-dried and varnished maple and spruce plates, sang more beautifully than the most beautiful voices. The instruments made by these masters are still played by the best violinists in the world. Stradivarius designed a violin that is still unsurpassed, with a rich timbre and exceptional “range” - the ability to fill huge halls with sound. It had kinks and irregularities inside the body, due to which the sound was enriched due to the appearance of a large number of high overtones.
The violin is the highest timbre instrument of the bow family. It consists of two main parts - the body and the neck, between which four steel strings are stretched. The main advantage of the violin is the melodiousness of the timbre. It can be used to perform both lyrical melodies and dazzling fast passages. The violin is the most common solo instrument in the orchestra.
The Italian virtuoso and composer Niccolo Paganini greatly expanded the capabilities of the violin. Subsequently, many other violinists appeared, but no one could surpass him. Wonderful works for the violin were created by Vivaldi, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky and others.
Oistrakh, or, as he was called, “King David,” is considered an outstanding Russian violinist.
There is an instrument that looks very similar to a violin, but is slightly larger. This is an alt.
MYSTERY
Carved in the forest, smoothly hewn,
Singing and singing, what is it called?
Bowed string instruments are a group of musical instruments with sound production carried out mainly in the process of holding a bow along stretched strings. There are a large number of folk bowed instruments. In modern academic music playing, four stringed instruments are used: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double bass. The range of the entire bowed group covers almost seven octaves from C counter octave to C fifth octave. Bows were formed and improved around the end of the 17th century, only the bow in its modern form appeared by the end of the 18th century. Despite the timbre differences between individual instruments of the group, they sound homogeneous as a group. This is explained by the unity of design and the general principle of sound production. The source of sound for all instruments is strings; sound production is made with a bow (arco) or fingers (pizzicato). Violin- a high-register bowed string musical instrument. It is of folk origin, acquired its modern appearance in the 16th century, and became widespread in the 17th century. It has four strings tuned in fifths: g, d1,a1,e² (small octave G, D, A of the first octave, E of the second octave), range from g (small octave G) to a4 (A of the fourth octave) and higher. The violin's timbre is thick in the low register, soft in the middle and brilliant in the upper. The structure of a violin. The violin consists of two main parts: the body and the neck, along which the strings are stretched. The body of the violin has an oval shape with rounded grooves on the sides forming the “waist”. The roundness of the external contours and waist lines ensures comfortable playing, particularly in high registers. The lower and upper planes of the body - the deck - are connected to each other by strips of wood - shells. Lower soundboard or “bottom”, Upper soundboard or “lid”, Shells, Dashboard, Neck or tailpiece, Loop, Button, Stand. Grif. The neck of the violin is a long block of solid hard wood (ebony or rosewood). Over time, the surface of the fingerboard either wears off or becomes uneven. The lower part of the neck is glued to the neck, which goes into the head, consisting of a tuning box and a scroll. The upper nut is an ebony plate located between the neck and the head, with slots for strings. The grooves in the nut are rubbed with graphite lubricant or graphite (graphite pencil) to reduce friction on the strings and extend their service life. The holes in the nut distribute the strings at an equal distance from each other. The neck is a semicircular part that the performer covers with his hand while playing. The neck and nut are attached to the top of the neck. Strings. The strings pass from the neck, through the bridge, over the surface of the neck, and through the nut to the pegs, which are wound around them in the head. The violin has four strings:
first (“fifth”)- upper, tuned to E of the second octave. The metal solid E string has a ringing, shiny timbre.
second- tuned to A of the first octave. The vein (intestinal or made from a special alloy) solid “la” has a soft, matte timbre.
third- tuned to D of the first octave. The vein (intestinal or artificial fiber) “re”, entwined with aluminum thread, has a soft, matte timbre.
fourth (“bass”)- lower, tuned to G of the small octave. Vein (intestinal or artificial fiber) “salt”, entwined with silver thread, harsh and thick timbre. Bow- A wooden cane that goes into the head on one side, with a block attached on the other. The hair of the ponytail (artificial or natural) is stretched between the head and the block. Horsehair, especially thick, has large scales, between which there is rubbing rosin, which has a beneficial effect on the sound. Chin pad. Designed for the convenience of playing as a musician. The lateral, middle and their intermediate locations are selected based on the ergonomic preferences of the violinist. Bridge. It is also designed for the convenience of the musician's playing. Attaches to the back of the violin and is designed to be mounted on the player's shoulder. It consists of a stand (straight or curved, hard or covered with soft fabric, wood, metal or carbon), and fastenings on each side. Necessary electronics, such as a microphone amplifier, are often hidden in a metal structure. The main brands of modern bridges are WOLF, KUN, etc. The strings are pressed four fingers of the left hand to the fingerboard (thumb excluded). The strings are drawn with a bow held in the player's right hand. When pressed with a finger, the length of the vibrating area of the string decreases, due to which the frequency increases, that is, a higher sound is obtained. Strings that are not pressed with a finger are called open and are indicated by a zero when indicating the fingering.
By touching the string with almost no pressure in certain places, harmonics are obtained. Some harmonic sounds go beyond the standard violin range in pitch. The placement of the fingers of the left hand is called fingering (from the word fingering). The index finger is called the first, the middle finger is the second, the ring finger is the third, and the little finger is the fourth. Position is the fingering of four adjacent fingers, spaced one tone or semitone apart. Each string can have seven or more positions. The higher the position, the more difficult it is to play cleanly. On each string, excluding fifths, they go mainly only up to the fifth position inclusive; but on the fifth or first string, and sometimes on the second, higher positions are used - up to the twelfth. Alto(English and Italian viola, French alto, German Bratsche) or violin viola - a bowed stringed musical instrument of the same structure as the violin, but somewhat larger in size, which is why it sounds in a lower register. The viola strings are tuned a fifth below the violin strings and an octave above the cello strings - c, g, d1, a1 (C, G of the small octave, D, A of the first octave). The most common range is from c (up to the small octave) to e3 (mi of the third octave); in solo works, higher sounds can be used. Notes are written in alto and treble clefs. Techniques for playing the viola: Techniques for playing the viola are slightly different from those for playing the violin in terms of sound production and technique, but the playing technique itself is a little more limited due to the larger size, and as a result, the need for greater stretching of the fingers of the left hand. Alto timbre― less bright than violin, but thick, matte, velvety in the lower register, somewhat nasal in the upper register. This viola timbre is a consequence of the fact that the dimensions of its body (“resonator box”) do not correspond to its tuning: with an optimal length of 46–47 centimeters (such violas were made by old masters of Italian schools), a modern instrument has a length of 38 to 43 centimeters [source not 592 days indicated]. Larger violas, approaching classical ones, are played mainly by solo performers with stronger hands and more developed technique. Cello(Italian violoncello, abbreviated cello, German Violoncello, French violoncelle, English cello) - a bowed string musical instrument of the bass and tenor register, known since the first half of the 16th century, of the same structure as a violin or viola, but significantly larger sizes. The cello has wide expressive capabilities and a carefully developed performance technique; it is used as a solo, ensemble and orchestral instrument. Technique of playing the cello. The principles of playing and strokes when performing on the cello are the same as on the violin, however, due to the larger size of the instrument and the different position of the player, the technique of playing the cello is more complicated. Harmonics, pizzicato, thumb bet and other playing techniques are used. The sound of the cello is juicy, melodious and intense, slightly compressed in the upper register on the lower strings. Cello string structure: C, G, d, a (C, G of the large octave, D, A of the small octave), that is, an octave below the alto. The range of the cello, thanks to the developed technique of playing the a string, is very wide - from C (to the major octave) to A4 (A of the fourth octave) and higher. Notes are written in bass, tenor and treble clefs according to their actual sound. Double bass(Italian contrabasso or basso, French contrebasse, German Kontrabass, English double bass) - the largest in size (about two meters in height) and the lowest in sound of the widely used bowed string musical instruments, combining the features of a violin families and families of violas. It has four strings tuned in fourths: E1, A1, D, G (E, A counter octave, D, G large octave), range from E1 (E counter octave) to G1 (G first octave) and higher. Technique of playing the double bass. The double bass is played standing (usually by soloists) or sitting on a high stool (mainly in an orchestra), placing the instrument in front of you. The height of the instrument is adjusted by the length of the spire. The techniques for playing the double bass and the strokes are the same as for the violin, however, due to its large size and the less comfortable position of the bow (in weight), the technique of playing the double bass is significantly limited: large stretching of the fingers and frequent changes of positions make it difficult to perform fast passages and jumps , gamma. Pizzicato sounds good on the double bass. Practically The range of the double bass used is relatively small: from E1 (E contra octave) to H1 (B first octave). In solo virtuoso compositions, higher sounds can also be used. Notes for double bass are written in bass, tenor, and, less often, treble clef an octave higher than the actual sound. Main area applications of the double bass - a symphony orchestra in which the double bass group plays the most important role as the bass foundation. The double bass is also sometimes used in chamber ensembles, as well as in jazz and related genres. In rockabilly and psychobilly, a double bass is used instead of a bass guitar, and they almost always play slap - due to the “clicks”, the double bass complements the rhythmic section, and in groups without a drummer, it successfully replaces it. The double bass has thick, low and very juicy timbre. Because low frequencies travel a relatively short distance, the double bass is rarely used as a solo instrument. Nevertheless, there are many double bass virtuosos who master the technique of playing it and reveal its rich expressive capabilities. For solo performances, ancient master instruments with a velvety, soft sound are often used.
