In the string section each instrument has its basic hue and then 7 more with additions of other colors expressing the changes in the color of sound which result from playing the instrument in different ways. For instance, the basic hue for violin is a a warm yellowish green. When it is played sul ponticello, or on the bridge, it has more yellow mixed in because the sound is warmer. When it is played on the finger board, or sul tasto, the addition is blue, to created a cooler sound; yet another blue is used with a mute, and so on. The deeper toned stringed instruments are bluer colors; violas are green, cellos, blue green and contrabasses are a deep blue as their base color, taking on the same relative additions as the violins. |