The violin is often called the king of the orchestra because most of the time, when you hear an orchestra, you hear the wonderful rich singing tones of violins. In fact, when the violins and their sister which are the violas, 'cellos and double basses are all silent, we no longer have an orchestra - we have a military band. Put one end of a rubber band between your teeth and stretch it with your left hand. Now pluck it lightly with the fingers of you right hand. You will hear the tone change if you stretch the band or shorten it if you use bands or different thickness. Music from the violin is produced the same way. Usually, however, the strings are not plucked; instead a bow is passed over them to make them vibrate. Violins in an orchestra can do many things. They can whisper so that you have to "stretch" you ears, or they can make your eyes almost pop with their shrillness. They can lull you to sleep or startle you like a flash or lightning. They can make you feel sad, or warm and good all over. They can play slowly or so fast that your heart jumps as if you were in a rushing roller coaster. No instrument can do all the violin can do. Listen for the effects of the player’s fingers when they pluck the strings, when the fingers of the left-hand flutter back and forth like restless birds, or when the bows bounce on the strings. It is a great technique.