Tuning, Ranges, and Notation

How is the violin tuned

Perfect fifths

What notes is the violin tuned to

G3-D4-A4-E5

What clef is music for the violin written in

Treble clef

On all the orchestral stringed instruments the highest pitched string is designed as the…

First string

On all the orchestral stringed instruments the lowest pitched string is designed as the…

Fourth string

Violin range

Two octaves + a major third in first position

As repertoire becomes more advanced, range…

Expands higher

How is the viola tuned

A perfect fifth lower than the violin

What notes is the viola tuned to

C3-G3-D4-A4

What clef is viola primarily written in

Alto clef

What other clef does viola use

Treble clef when in a higher register (pitches are more than 3 ledger lines above the alto clef staf)

What is the range of the viola

Two octaves + major third in first position

How is the cello tuned

In perfect fifths one octave lower than the viola

What notes are the cello tuned to

C2-G2-D3-A3

What clef is cello primarily written in

Bass clef

What other clefs is cello written in

Tenor when in intermediate level, and treble in higher register

What is the range of the cello

Two octaves + a major second in first position

How is the double bass tuned

It’s the only orchestral stringed instrument tuned in perfect fourths

What notes is the double bass tuned to

E1-A1-D2-G2

What is interesting about the double bass and the way it’s music is written

It’s a transposing instrument; all pitches are written an octave higher than they sound

What clef is double bass primarily written in

Bass cleff

What other clefs is double bass notated in

Tenor during intermediate register, and treble in higher register

What is the range of a double bass

One octave + a perfect fifth in first position

Double bass solo tuning

F#1-B1-E2-A2

Scordatura

Mistuning

Down bow

Up bow

Down bow

Frog to tip

Up bow

Tip to frog

Music that does not indicate down or up bow at the beginning and starts on the down beat starts with a

Down bow

Arco

Bowed

Pizz.(Pizzicato)

Plucked

No indications

Bow

Slur

All notes are to be played in one stroke

Apostrophe

Lift bow off strings

Mute

Small piece of rubber/metal that creates a softer and warmer tone.

Con sordino/con sord

Mute

Senza sordino/senza sord

Without mute

Double stops

Two strings simultaneously

Divisi (div.)

Multiple pitches for the musicians in a section

Non-divisi

Composer wants all musicians in a section to play two pitches as a double stop

Col legno

Play passage with stick of bow

Sol ponticello

Play near the bridge

Sol tasto or flautando

Play over the fingerboard with a light bow stroke

1

Index finger

2

Middle finger

3

Ring finger

4

Pinkie

0

Open string

When thumb is used to finger pitch on cello and bass

Where is fingering written

Above stagf

Where is alt. Fingering written

Below staff