Writing Music for Television and Radio Commercials (and more): A Manual for Composers and Students

Arranging and Orchestration Concepts !! 117

first violinist. (The concertmaster performs the solos written in the orches-
tral scores.)

Viola

The viola is played in exactly the same manner as a violin. The main differ-
ence is that because the viola is larger, it is more cumbersome for the vio-
lists to move rapidly through fingerings. This is a minor consideration
since well-trained violists have excellent technique.
Range:The viola is a nontransposing instrument. Parts are written in
the alto clef. If notes are written in a high register, the treble clef may be
used. It has four open strings, which are tuned in perfect fifths. The lowest
open string is C, one octave below middle C, followed by G, D, and A. The
highest note is E, three leger lines above the treble clef (see examples 6-17
and 6-18).

Example 6-17 Viola open strings.

Example 6-18 Viola range.

Cello (Vioncello)

The cello is considered the bass of the orchestra. The cello is much larger
than the viola and is played by sitting in a chair and holding the instru-
ment between the player’s legs. Because of the size of the cello, the finger-
ing differs slightly from that of a viola. It is more difficult to navigate the
fingerboard with the same agility and ease as a violin or viola.
Range:The cello is a nontransposing instrument. Music for the cello is
written mostly in the bass clef. If notes are written in a high register, the
tenor clef and treble clef may be used. The instrument is tuned in perfect
fifths. The cello has four open strings, which are the same as those on the
viola but one octave lower. The lowest string is C, two octaves below mid-
dle C, followed by G, D, and A. The highest note is A, one leger line above
the treble clef (see examples 6-19 and 6-20).