Welcome to Strings!

I am very pleased to have all you students and parents join our strings family. Learning about
string instruments and how they are played is a fun educational experience and I cannot wait to
share it all with you. Please read through the following handout to jump start our learning
adventure together!

HISTORY
In the past, people believed that the violin developed from within the viol family but now people
believe it came and started a family of its own. There are four instruments in the violin family,
the violin, viola, cello, and bass.

VIOLIN
The violin came about in Italy around the year 1550.
Gasparo de Salo and Andrea Amati are the luthiers
credited for creating the modern day violin.
The range of the violin is from a g0 to an e2 .
Typical violins range from 14 to 23 inches.

VIOLA
The viola is slightly larger than the violin with an
overall length range of 21 to 27 inches.
The pitch range is from c0 to a1 . Andrea Amati
was also one of the first producers of the viola.
Hermann Ritter is the man behind setting
the trend of larger violas.

THE CELLO
The cello, formerly known as the violoncello was
presented as sort of a bass violin. Once the wire
wound string was developed, it allowed for the cello
to be smaller and less troublesome. The size range
of the cello is from 26 inches to 48 inches.
The pitch range is from C0 to an a0 . End pins
were added to the cello to allow them to stand more
on their own and to allow the player to be more relaxed.
THE BASS
The double bass or just bass, was added as a
finite member of the orchestra by Domenico
Dragonetti. Although it really resembled the violone
of the viol family, it is considered a part of the violin
family. Interest in the double bass grew in the 1700s
since the invention of the overwound gut string
allowed the instrument to be smaller. The size range
of the bass is 61 6/16 inches to 74 .
The pitch range is an E1 to a G0.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CARE AND KEEPING

1. Keep the instrument in the case when not in use.
2. Never put the instrument in sunlight or high temperatures.
3. Clean the bow and instrument after each use and remember to loosen the hair.
4. Repair and fix the instrument as soon as damages are noticed.
5. NEVER touch the bow hair and apply rosin when necessary.

STRING REPLACEMENT
1. Remove one string at a time.
2. Make sure the pegs turns smoothly, if not, apply peg compound. Apply graphite to the
top of the bridge and the groove on the nut to help the string slide onto the bridge.
3. Pull the string through the hole so that it rest on top the peg.
4. Turn the peg so that the string wraps around, be sure to bind the end under the string.
5. The highest and lowes strings should be next to peg box. Guide them to this position as
the peg turns. The other two should be in the middle of the peg box. Be sure that the
strings are at a 90 degree angle across the nut.
6. Place the other string through the corresponding hole; knot it to keep it secure.
7. Tighten the string until it is in tune and push in the peg so that it will stay in the peg box.
Pull on the string and re-tune a few times to get the string used to the tension.

RENTING AND PURCHASING

Purchase the best quality you can afford as it will make it easier for the child to learn and
last much longer than a worn down instrument.
Visit various shops such as Melodee Music or Music & Arts to get a variety of price
ranges.
Test out the instruments if possible to see if they are a good fit for the child.
Negotiate the price of the instrument and rent to own if possible to provide your child
with an instrument in the long run.