Let’s learn about the string family of the orchestra! We will meet each member of the string family, learn about how the instruments make sound, and hear a beautiful example of each instrument from our professional musician friends.

Optional props and resources to enhance your listening:

1. Printable orchestra map puzzle resource: www.clapforclassics.com/episode7

2. Rhythm Sticks (can also use blocks, wooden spoons, chopsticks, etc.)

To share a video with your little one of this same instruction head over to our blog: www.clapforclassics.com/blog/stringfamily. There we also include more details and ideas on how to adapt and extend the learning.

This video is just one tiny part inside of our "Meet the Orchestra" course where we tour each of the four instrument families: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. In that course we also learn about the important role of the conductor, enjoy lots of musical examples including listening to a large portion of Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition."

You can find the rest of the course inside of our All Access Membership! Check out all the details and get signed up here! www.clapforclassics.com/join 

The String Family Song (To the tune of I’m a Little Teapot)

They are made of strings and hollow wood.

Say hello to the string family.

Violin viola cello bass

Don’t forget the lovely harp.

Push and pull a bow across the strings

To make long sound vibrations

Or you can use your fingers pluck pluck pluck

Pizzicato pizzicato pizzicato

Music Credit:

String Family Song: Clap for Classics original by Kathryn Lieppman (based on the tune: “I’m a Little Teapot”)

Violin: Caleb Nixon (age 9) playing an excerpt from Bach's Gavotte in D Major.

Viola: Lizzy and Lorenzo Golofeev playing an excerpt from Tchaikovsky's Waltz of the Flowers.

Cello: Jennifer Humphreys playing an excerpt from Bach's Courante from G Major Suite for Cello Solo No. 1 BWV 1007

Double Bass: Jory Herman playing the melody from Saint-Saëns' Elephant, from the Carnival of the Animals.

Harp: Héloïse Carlean-Jones playing an excerpt from Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel.

String family example: Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev. Classical recordings licensed to us by Classical.com.