Violin octet

The violin octet is a family of stringed instruments developed in the 20th century primarily under the direction of Carleen Hutchins ; each instrument is based directly on the traditional violin and shares its acoustical properties, with the goal of a richer and more homogenous sound. Unlike the standard modern stringed instruments, the main resonance of the body of the violin octet instrument is at a pitch near the two middle open strings, giving the instruments a more balanced, clearer sound.

The instruments of the violin octet are:

Instrument	Strings	Notes
Treble Violin	G-D-A-E, tuned an octave above the violin
Soprano Violin	C-G-D-A, tuned an fourth above the violin	About the size of a three-quarter violin
Mezzo Violin	G-D-A-E, tuned the same as the violin	The body is an inch longer than a conventional violin but the strings are the same length
Alto Violin (Vertical viola)	C-G-D-A, tuned the same as the viola	Similar to a viola but larger, and is often played upright, like a cello
Tenor Violin	G-D-A-E, tuned a fifth above a cello	About the size of a three-quarter cello
Baritone Violin	C-G-D-A, tuned the same as a cello	Larger than a conventional cello
Small Bass Violin	A-D-G-C, tuned a fourth above a double bass
Contrabass Violin	E-A-D-G, tuned the same as a double bass	Larger than a conventional double bass

References

1. http://www.newviolinfamily.org/
2. Carleen Hutchins' Instruments and Archives at the National Music Museum
3. Hutchins Consort, a performing group that uses the violin octet