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Facts:
The Violin
 The violin is often called the king of the orchestra because most of the
time, when you hear an orchestra, you hear the wonderful rich singing
tones of violins.
Violins in an orchestra can do many things. They can
whisper so that you have to "stretch" you ears, or they can make your
eyes almost pop with their shrillness. They can lull you to sleep or
startle you like a flash or lightning. They can make you feel sad, or
warm and good all over. They can play slowly or so fast that your heart
jumps as if you were in a rushing roller coaster. No instrument can do
what the violin can do. Listen for the effects of the player’s fingers
when they pluck the strings, when the fingers of the left-hand flutter
back and forth like restless birds, or when the bows bounce on the
strings. It is a great technique.
The Flute
The
flute is the oldest of all instruments that produce pitched
sounds (not just rhythms), and was originally made from wood, stone,
clay or hollow reeds like bamboo. Modern flutes are made of silver, gold
or platinum; there are generally 2 to 4 flutes in an orchestra. A
standard flute is a little over 2 feet long and is often featured
playing the melody. You play the flute by holding it sideways with both
hands and blowing across a hole in the mouthpiece, much like blowing
across the top of a bottle. Your fingers open and close the keys, which
changes the pitch.
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