The string section can be found at the front of the orchestra in a semi-circular arrangement, going from the highest pitch (violins) on the left, round to lower pitch (cellos and double basses) on the right.
These instruments are usually played using a bow made of wood and horse-hair to vibrate the strings and produce the distinctive sound. The strings are occassionally plucked using a technique known as "pizzicato".
The harp is not used in every orchestral work, due to its invention many centuries after the rest of the section.
In the section below are a few famous works with prominant (or solely) string sections.
| Instrument | Range | Invented |
|---|---|---|
| Violin | G3 to A7 | 1500s |
| Viola | C3 to E6 | 1500s |
| Cello | C2 to C6 | 1600s |
| Double Bass | C1 to C4 | 1500s |
| Harp | Cb1 to Gb7 | 1900s |