Poems of Violins and Musical Strings

Let's explore the four orchestral string instruments: violin, viola, cello and bass - through original poetry! I hope you enjoy my poetic reflections on these 4 instruments!

All poetry copyright Mindy Makuta (aka MyFairLadyah) Reprint with permission.

The strings play a lovely sonata

From hundreds of years ago

When ships with tall sails in regatta

Had banners of the kings' chateaux

There's a Strad, an Amati, et al

From the great master shops of Cremona

The sound and the craft and the detail

Are still prized by the knowing persona

Violin, viola, cello and bass

Have survived to the modern age

But others existed once in their place

To be heard from a courtly stage

The Violin

A violin has the highest voice

Four strings that start with E

Sometimes called a fiddle by choice

It plays a resplendent melody

The Violin as a Fiddle

The Viola

The viola is somewhat lower

Though very similar to a violin

Sounds better with a better bower

Doesn't do well for bluegrass stylin'

The Cello

Cellos are a whole different matter

They point to the floor and not to the chin

Their sound box is necessarily fatter

To create the deeper chords within

The Bass (Double Bass)

Largest of the four is the bass

Often taller than the player

Very unwieldy to carry its case

It adds an important layer

The Red Violin

A violin made with the deepest love

With blood and sweat and stain of red

Is passed through ages into the hands of

Virtuosic talent to perfection led