The '''violin''' is the smallest and highest pitched [[String Instruments|stringed instrument]] used in [[western orchestra|western orchestras]]. It has four strings, pitched G-D-A-E (from lowest to highest), which is an arrangement of the Circle of Fifths. The 'A' is pitched to Concert A at 440 Hz. Typically, a bow (''arco'') is drawn across the strings to produce a sound on the instrument, and a wide variety of bowing techniques can provide unique sounds, such as the bouncing ''spiccato'' or the broad ''legato''. The strings may also be plucked, similar to a [[mandolin]] or [[guitar]] (''pizzicato''), but only by the flesh of the finger (not with the aid of a plectrum). | The '''violin''' is the smallest and highest pitched [[String Instruments|stringed instrument]] used in [[western orchestra|western orchestras]]. It has four strings, pitched G-D-A-E (from lowest to highest), which is an arrangement of the Circle of Fifths. The 'A' is pitched to Concert A at 440 Hz. Typically, a bow (''arco'') is drawn across the strings to produce a sound on the instrument, and a wide variety of bowing techniques can provide unique sounds, such as the bouncing ''spiccato'' or the broad ''legato''. The strings may also be plucked, similar to a [[mandolin]] or [[guitar]] (''pizzicato''), but only by the flesh of the finger (not with the aid of a plectrum). |