The
string section is the largest body of the standard
Classical orchestra. It normally consists of the first
violins, the second violins, the
violas, the
cellos, and the
double basses (or basses). In discussions of the
instrumentation of a musical work, the phrase "the strings" or "and strings" is used to indicate a string section as just defined. An orchestra consisting solely of a string section is called a
string orchestra. Smaller string sections are used in jazz, pop and rock music arrangements.