Strings

Violin

A small bowed instrument with a high, singing voice.

1 · Hear it

Listen twice: once alone, once with the band. The second one is how you'll actually hear it in songs.

2 · What it actually is

Horsehair drawn across strings keeps them vibrating continuously.

Its job

Sings melodies that can swell and cry the way a voice does.

Listen for

A slow start to each note, plus a wobble (vibrato) while it holds.

You've heard it in: Classical, film scores, folk fiddle tunes.

3 · Words that go with it