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Violin octet

2010-12-21T11:25:00.001-08:00

Hi
I came across this article about the Violin Octet and thought that it would be very helpful in explaining the different type of instruments in the violin family.

I have played the violin, viola, alto violin (played like a cello)and cello. I am now working on the mandolin, the octave mandolin and the acoustic bass guitar. I do like musical instruments and even though I'm not very good at it I enjoy playing.

Arthur playing and learning from Dave at the string thing music and enjoying the Thursday night folk group where we can get together and just have some fun.

Enjoy,

Tommy Dodge

Violin octet

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Violin octet
Related instruments
Classification	Bow string instruments
Cello Double bass Viola Violin

The violin octet is a family of stringed instruments developed in the 20th century primarily under the direction of the American luthier Carleen Hutchins. Each instrument is based directly on the traditional violin and shares its acoustical properties, with the goal of a richer and more homogeneous 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 were proposed by composer Henry Brant in 1957 and the first octet was completed in 1967.

Currently, there are two performing groups which play and record on the instruments of the violin octet. The Hutchins Consort (based in San Diego, California) plays on Carleen Hutchin's instruments, and the Albert Consort (based in Ithaca, New York) uses a set of instruments made by Robert Spear.

The instruments of the violin octet are:

Instrument	Tuning	Notes
Treble violin	G-D-A-E, tuned an octave above the violin
Soprano violin	C-G-D-A, tuned a 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 an octave below a standard violin	The body is similar to a half-size cello but with thinner ribs and a longer neck
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 or G-D-A-E, tuned a fourth below a cello.¹
Contrabass violin	E-A-D-G, tuned the same as a double bass or C-G-D-A, tuned an octave below a cello.¹	Larger than a conventional double bass

¹ While the Small Bass and Contrabass violins were originally designed to be tuned in fifths, most bassists find the required extra shifting impracticable. The New Violin Family Association lists tunings for these instruments in fourths, while the Hutchins Quartet retains the original fifths tuning.

2010-01-24T13:34:00.001-08:00

I am sorry for the long time between blogs. We have been working on various ideas for how to help with practicing not only the violin the violin, viola, cello and other stringed instruments we are working on trying to set up some practice for the acoustic and electric guitars as well as the electric bass guitar.

We have a book group is practicing every Thursday night and that is taking up quite a bit of the time but they are everyone is coming along and having a lot of fun. Much of what we are doing is learning about chords and their progression in folk music and how to change the chord structure for different songs.

If you're reading this and are interested in you this information please let us know and we will do something to get this online to you either in the form of just a message or blog or maybe even present some kind of a small course on portrait chord progression.

Keep in the practice,

D. Patrick

Christmas Carols.

2009-11-08T13:25:00.000-08:00

Remember that Christmas is coming and now is the time think about Playing Christmas carols in front of the fire. A nice violin or cello makes a great addition to the singing. And of course you know I'm going to say that with the play in pitch program you'll be in tune to keep the rest of the group in tune.
Maybe a new guitar is more to your liking remember that we have those are Chemung music site. We also have many other folk instruments they are such as the mandolin and the banjo. Remember that the mandolin is also tuned the same as the violin so it's saying with playing along with either by itself or accompanying a piano.
One of my favorite instruments is the Viola and that is because it's a little our little more mellow than the violin and not his biggest the cello highlight all instruments and I find that they all are very nice Christmas spirit together.

Tell next time,

Tommy Dodge

New Product Line on the Play In Pitch Program

2009-10-05T14:28:00.000-07:00

For your convenience we have added several of our beginning and intermediate instruments. This will will help you to see which instruments the different programs apply. We now have violin's viola's cellos and bass violins available on this site as well as on the Chemung Music site.

You will also receive a free download play in pitch practice program for either your new violin viola or cello.

Instrument sizing is very important for the student and we have added information on how to size the various instruments on this site. That is how to size a violin for a new young student or how to size a cello for a new student.

Young students may be size in general by age groups and more specifically by the length of arm or reach of the student.

Most young students grow so quickly is very hard to keep them in the same instrument for any great length of time. However, it is most important for them to have the correct size and starting to play.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding size of any instrument and we will be very happy to respond to your question.

D. Patrick

Our play in pitch program really does Work!

2009-09-21T13:44:00.000-07:00

Our play in pitch program really does work!

In fact, it is working so well that we have decided bring it over to the Chemung music site as well.

On our play in pitch page we have a short video demonstration as to exactly how the program works. This short video will do more to show how the program works so please take a few minutes and check this out.

Of course we will continue to have the play in pitch programs available on the play in pitch.com site as well as some violin packages.

This fall we will be adding some new practice programs for the intermediate and advanced student.

Have a great practice session,

D Patric

2009-09-13T08:31:00.000-07:00

We have added video to our Play in Pitch site which will demonstrate the practice program very easily.

By taking a quick look at this five minute program and will show exactly how the play in pitch program works and the advantages of doing warm-ups with the play in pitch program.
Each of the four parts of the program get a little more complicated and allow practice of more skills.

Have a great practice,

D Patrick

2009-09-08T11:05:00.000-07:00

We have recently added off some violin outfits for your convenience if you do not have a violin and would like to play in pitch are we have some outfits here to get you started.
These outfits I also available in the Chemungmusic.com website and are of the student and intermediate are level

Anyone purchasing one of the violin outfits will, of course, receive a free violin download play in pitch practice program with the purchase of any of the violin outfits. These free download playinpith practice programs are also available with the purchase of any Viola or Cello.
Each of our Play In Pitch programs are a 10 minute or so warm-up for practicing it does give a very nice way of practicing in pitch without your teacher. There are four sections in each program that are about 10 minutes each. Practicing different sections will certainly be a help in training your ear to the correct pitch.

Til on time next time,

D Patrick

You will need to learn to play in pitch.

2009-08-30T05:51:00.000-07:00

You will need to learn to play in pitch.

Teachers ... What is one of the most challenging aspects to teaching the violin, viola, or cello?

Students ... What is one of the most challenging aspects in learning to play the violin, or learning to play the viola, or learning to play the cello?

Answer: Playing in pitch!

The Play in Pitch ear training method was developed by a string teacher for string teachers and students. “The hardest thing to get across to beginner students of stringed instruments is the concept of matching pitch,” says Mr. Patrick. “I would have my students match the pitch as I played a series of notes or a scale on my piano. This worked well during our lesson time but I wanted my students to get the benefit of matching their notes to true pitch while at home during their regular practice time so I developed this ear training method and have had great success with it. From beginner to advanced all my students benefit from the Play in Pitch program.”

With the violin, viola, and cello, the finger has to be in the exact spot on the fingerboard to produce true pitch. The “Play In Pitch” perfect pitch ear training method is intended to help you do just that … play in pitch. Fretted instruments like the guitar, mandolin, and bass guitar are easier to play in perfect pitch as long as the instrument is of good construction and the strings are tuned properly. The placing of a finger behind a fret will produce a true pitch. Fretless instruments like the violin, viola, and cello, demand more from the musician in producing true pitch and that is where the “Play in Pitch” ear training methods are a valuable tool in learning to play in pitch. Get instant MP3 downloads and start training today.

If you are looking for a violin, viola, or cello or a FREE instant Violin, Viola,or Cello download at ChemungMusic.com