second violinist
Not the concertmaster
A second violinist plays in the second violin section of an orchestra, handling harmony and accompaniment rather than melody.
The position sits below first violin in the hierarchy, making second violinist a metaphor for someone in a supporting role rather than the spotlight: He was tired of being second violinist to his more charismatic partner.
Midrange bowed instrument
- cellistBowed-string musician
- chamber musicSmall-group classical compositions
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- string quartetFour-piece chamber group
piano quintet · inner voice · countermelody · Haydn · rehearsal · blend · balance · voicing
Principal first violinist
- sectionDistinct divided part
- principalChief school administrator
- deskFurniture for writing
- tuttiFull ensemble passage
strings · viola · cello · bass · philharmonic · symphony · chamber orchestra · pit orchestra
Bearing or sustaining
- accompanimentSupplementary support element
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- inner voiceUnspoken mental dialogue
- doublingMultiplying by two
countermelody · subordinate · complement · reinforce · blend · balance · rank and file · backup
viola
Midrange bowed instrument
- cellistBowed-string musician
- chamber musicSmall-group classical compositions
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
string quartet · piano quintet · inner voice · countermelody · Haydn · rehearsal · blend · balance · voicing
concertmaster
Principal first violinist
tutti · strings · viola · cello · bass · philharmonic · symphony · chamber orchestra · pit orchestra · opera
supporting
Bearing or sustaining
- accompanimentSupplementary support element
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- inner voiceUnspoken mental dialogue
doubling · countermelody · subordinate · complement · reinforce · blend · balance · rank and file · backup · sustain
vibrato
Oscillating pitch effect
- bowingBending forward in deference
- pizzicatoString-plucking technique
- spiccatoDetached bowing technique
legato · staccato · shifting · intonation · sight-reading · dynamics · phrasing · blend · unison · divisi
second violinistconcertmaster
Principal first violinist
first violinist · concert master · section leader · first chair · soloist
second violinistsoloist
Unaccompanied performer
virtuoso · headliner · lead performer · prima donna · diva
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