Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Violin octet
The violin octet is a family of stringed instruments developed in the 20th century primarily under the direction of Carleen Hutchins ; each instrument is based directly on the traditional violin and shares its acoustical properties, with the goal of a richer and more homogenous sound. Unlike the standard modern stringed instruments, the main resonance of the body of the violin octet instrument is at a pitch near the two middle open strings, giving the instruments a more balanced, clearer sound.
The instruments of the violin octet are:
| Instrument | Strings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Treble Violin | G-D-A-E, tuned an octave above the violin | |
| Soprano Violin | C-G-D-A, tuned an fourth above the violin | About the size of a three-quarter violin |
| Mezzo Violin | G-D-A-E, tuned the same as the violin | The body is an inch longer than a conventional violin but the strings are the same length |
| Alto Violin (Vertical viola) | C-G-D-A, tuned the same as the viola | Similar to a viola but larger, and is often played upright, like a cello |
| Tenor Violin | G-D-A-E, tuned a fifth above a cello | About the size of a three-quarter cello |
| Baritone Violin | C-G-D-A, tuned the same as a cello | Larger than a conventional cello |
| Small Bass Violin | A-D-G-C, tuned a fourth above a double bass | |
| Contrabass Violin | E-A-D-G, tuned the same as a double bass | Larger than a conventional double bass |
References
- http://www.newviolinfamily.org/
- Carleen Hutchins' Instruments and Archives at the National Music Museum
- Hutchins Consort, a performing group that uses the violin octet
Last updated: 05-09-2005 18:04:08
10-26-2009 08:16:03
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The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details