[rdub315]

So I'm getting married next May... smallish outdoor ceremony at an outdoor garden type of setting. The fiance wants some sort of stringed instruments and one of the options is to get a violinist or two. My question is, aside from the price obviously, what is the difference between having one violinist or two?

Sorry for asking this extremely lame question on here but neither of us know jack about music and I told the fiance that the all-knowing E90 would bestow great wisdom.

[MCMLXXXIX]

if youre gonna get two, id say get a Violinist (Violin) and a Violist (Viola). two different instruments that look the same but have a different sound. they can be played together and sound good...thats all i know lol

[MCMLXXXIX]

actually this sounds better...a Violin and Cello duet. better range of sound. could be cool for a wedding

[The1]

agreed, do 2 different string instruments. or even all 3, but 2 of the same is only going to add a tiny bit more oomph where different instruments is going to be a lot more complimentary.

A violin gets up into the high notes, a viola can get almost as high, but can get a lot lower then a violin. maybe a viola might be the way to go if you're just going for 1 instrument.

Or, get a harpsichordist. That hits the full range of highs to lows. And can be taken care of by just one person. This would be the one I would go for personally. But that's me. (and i played violin for a year in private school and mary and her little lamb can go to hell...)

[matthewk]

Cello and double bass..

[The1]

Originally Posted by matthewk

Cello and double bass..

see, now you're just naming stuff for the sake of it ...



fun instruments though.

[matthewk]

Originally Posted by The1

see, now you're just naming stuff for the sake of it ...



fun instruments though.

I'll take stupid assumptions for a thousand Alex...

Actually, I'm a big fan of violin, while not the best players on the planet, Hillary Hahn or Gil Shaham playing the Schubert Concertos are some of by favorite. However I have always been a big fan of the bigger string instruments. You look at someone like Gary Karr and the sound he can present from the big double bass, I think it's more emotional. But to each his own I guess.

[WillS]

Two violins would be able to create harmonies/melodies that are unattainable on a single violin (without playing double-stops). That said, two contrasting instruments would be better. Two violins are usually needed to compete with the output of a cello (and all bowed stringed instruments are inefficient when it comes to sound production with relation to something like a guitar). Obviously, a large amount of repertoire is extant for a string quartet (two violins, a viola, and a cello).

[GarySL]

My daughter, who played violin, & her neighborhood friend & classmate, played cello, at a wedding & they sounded terrific. Not sure they got paid much but they were only about 13/14 yo at the time. There was plenty of free food that I enjoyed. g/l

[infinitekidM2C]

Originally Posted by GarySL

My daughter, who played violin, & her neighborhood friend & classmate, played cello, at a wedding & they sounded terrific. Not sure they got paid much but they were only about 13/14 yo at the time. There was plenty of free food that I enjoyed. g/l

I will suggest OP to not open up a Craigs list ad for 13/14 yo violinists

[mfanatic325]

Since it's for a wedding, I'd recommend just getting a nice quartet group. You won't be disappointed

p.s. , I plan on playing Pachelbel's Canon @ my own wedding in the future. Yes, I know...oh so original
But oh well lol..it's the thought that counts right?

[burningchicken]

+1 for the full quartet.
One of my personal favorites that would be perfect for a wedding is a song called Rhosymedre. Its a very simple song that when played correctly sounds absolutely beautiful.