Instruments of the Modern Symphony Orchestra/VIOLIN

by Arthur Edward Johnstone

VIOLIN

Maximilian Pilzer
Concertmaster
N.Y. Philharmonic Orchestra

The violin is the leading instrument of the orchestra, it owes its preeminence to the fact that while its tone-quality is sufficiently indefinite to admit of its use for long periods without palling, it is also capable of expressing the widest possible range of emotions.

Throughout its entire range of over four octaves the most rapid passages may be executed with all degrees of power, from the faintest whisper to the most brilliant fortissimo.

In symphony or grand opera orchestras there are likely to be about thirty violins in all, grouped in the proportion of sixteen first and fourteen second violins.

The four strings are made of sheep-gut. The lowest of these—the G string—is overspun with wire, either pure silver or silver-plated copper.

Plucking the strings is known as pizzicato playing.

The bow is strung with a fine quality of white horsehair.

The range of the violin with all chromatic intervals is:

The four strings are tuned in fifths. Thus:

The mute (sordine) placed on the bridge subdues the vibrations and creates a mournful, mysterious effect.

MAXIMILIAN PILZER
CONCERTMASTER
N. Y. PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA