String section

The 'string section of an orchestra is the section containing bowed string instruments. It is normally the largest section of an orchestra.

Normally, the string section consists of four different instruments: the violins, which are divided into first and second violins, the violas, the cellos, and the double basses. When a description of a musical work specifies the instrumentation, ending with the phrase "and strings", this means (unless otherwise stated) the normal arrangment of first and second violins, violas, cellos, and double basses. Many other arrangements have been used by composers, usually to obtain some special effect.