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Meet the Instruments - The Cello

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Have you ever wondered why the cello is held differently from the violin and viola? Did you know that the strings on a cello are twice as long as the strings on a viola?  Join San Diego Symphony cellist Richard Levine as he introduces us to his instrument.  Learn about the history of the cello and what the different parts of the instrument are called.  Listen to the rich beautiful sounds of the instrument, and see how the instrument has grown and changed over its history.

Meet The Instruments - The Bass

Friday, March 12, 2021

In this video we are going to learn about the largest instrument in the string family, the bass.  How does the shape of the instrument effect it’s sound?  Why is it sometimes called Double Bass?  Join San Diego Symphony Principal Bass Jeremy Kurtz-Harris as he introduces us to his instrument, and learn fun facts while listening  to the beautiful sounds of the largest and lowest instrument in the string family.

Meet the Instruments - the Viola

Monday, March 1, 2021

Now it’s time to meet the viola!  What is the difference between a violin and a viola?  Join San Diego Symphony violist Abraham Martín as he teaches us about his instrument.  Learn the similarities between the viola and violin, and what characteristics about the instruments make them different.  Listen to the soothing and beautiful warm sounds, learn how to hold a bow, and join Abraham as takes us on a tour of his instrument, the viola.

Meet the Instruments - the Violin

Monday, March 1, 2021

Welcome to the wonderful string family!  We will begin by learning about the string family’s smallest instrument, the violin.  Join San Diego Symphony violinist Julia Pautz as she teaches us about her instrument.  Look at and learn what the different parts of the instrument are called, hear how sound is made, and understand the technology and mechanics that make this first instrument of the string family so special!

Meet the Instruments - The Contrabassoon

Monday, February 22, 2021

Now it’s time to meet the bassoon’s big brother and the largest and lowest instrument in the woodwind family, the contrabassoon! Learn about the unique qualities of the contrabassoon, hear the deep rich sounds of the instrument, see the size and curves of the contrabassoon, and join San Diego Symphony contrabassoon Leyla Zamora as she introduces us to her instrument.

Meet the Instruments - The Bassoon

Monday, February 22, 2021

Join Valentin Martchev, Principal Bassoon of the San Diego Symphony, as he introduces his instrument, the bassoon. Have you ever wondered what the word “bassoon” means, or what language it is from? What keys, and how many does the bassoon have? In this video we will learn interesting facts about the history of the instrument, listen to the warm sound as we learn about the next instrument in the woodwind family.

Lunch & Listen: Violist Johanna Nowik

Thursday, February 18, 2021

This week's edition of "Lunch & Listen" features San Diego Symphony violist Johanna Nowik!

Meet the Instruments - The English Horn

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Join us as we meet the big brother of the oboe, the English Horn! In this video we will learn about the history behind the name English Horn, see how the instrument is assembled, and listen to how it sounds similar to and different than the oboe.

This video features San Diego Symphony English hornist Andrea Overturf.

Meet the Instruments - The Oboe

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Join Principal Oboe Sarah Skuster as she introduces us to her instrument, the oboe.

Listen to how sound is made, see the mechanics of the instrument, and learn about unique aspects of the oboe that set it apart from the woodwind family instruments we have already learned about.