first violin
Orchestra's principal fiddler
First violin refers to the leading violinist in an orchestra or string ensemble, who sits closest to the audience and often plays the melody.
The first violin section as a whole takes the highest parts.
The principal first violin, called the concertmaster, tunes the orchestra and serves as liaison between musicians and conductor.
She made first violin in her junior year.
Principal first violinist
- section leaderHead of a subdivision
- principalChief school administrator
- bowingBending forward in deference
- cueTrigger for action
lead-in · attack · seating · music stand
Extended composition for orchestra
- philharmonicLarge orchestra organization
- stringsThin flexible lines
- tuttiFull ensemble passage
- scoreNumerical standing in competition
conductor · maestro · baton · rehearsal · performance · overture · finale · crescendo
Four-piece chamber group
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- chamber musicSmall-group classical compositions
- quartetEnsemble of four
- trioGroup of three
quintet · sextet · octet · salon · intimate · recital · partnering · Haydn
Gifted youth with rare talent
- maestroDistinguished musical leader
- brillianceExceptional intelligence or luster
- masteryComplete skill or control
- techniqueSkilled way of performing
Oscillating pitch effect
- bowingBending forward in deference
- spiccatoDetached bowing technique
- legatoUnbroken musical phrasing
- staccatoShort, separated note style
pizzicato · arco · glissando · intonation · phrasing · dynamics · fingering · shifting
Elevated rank or renown
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- statusOne's relative position
- acclaimEnthusiastic public approval
- prominenceNotable status or visibility
audition · competition · recognition · career · appointment · tenure · ranking
concertmaster
Principal first violinist
- section leaderHead of a subdivision
- principalChief school administrator
- bowingBending forward in deference
cue · lead-in · attack · seating · music stand
symphony
Extended composition for orchestra
- philharmonicLarge orchestra organization
- stringsThin flexible lines
- tuttiFull ensemble passage
score · conductor · maestro · baton · rehearsal · performance · overture · finale · crescendo · fortissimo
string quartet
Four-piece chamber group
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- chamber musicSmall-group classical compositions
- quartetEnsemble of four
trio · quintet · sextet · octet · salon · intimate · recital · partnering · Haydn · Mozart
prodigy
Gifted youth with rare talent
- maestroDistinguished musical leader
- brillianceExceptional intelligence or luster
- masteryComplete skill or control
technique · expression · interpretation · artistry · command
vibrato
Oscillating pitch effect
staccato · pizzicato · arco · glissando · intonation · phrasing · dynamics · fingering · shifting · harmonics
eminence
Elevated rank or renown
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- statusOne's relative position
- acclaimEnthusiastic public approval
prominence · audition · competition · recognition · career · appointment · tenure · ranking
concerto
Solo-and-orchestra composition
- sonataMulti-movement instrumental composition
- capriceUnpredictable urge or notion
- etudeInstrumental practice composition
cadenza · Paganini · Mendelssohn · Tchaikovsky · Brahms · Sibelius · showpiece
- classical musicBach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms
- kids musicsinging, songs, lullabies, nursery rhymes, alphabet songs
- stringsguitar, cello, double bass, string section, harp
- chamber orchestrastrings, cellos, double basses, concertmaster, ensemble
- String Quartetscello, string ensemble
- orchestra leadersconcertmaster, section leader