Why is there a first violin and a concertmaster, first and seconds in every section? What's the

In an orchestra, how can you tell which one is playing which part? I mean when I listen to the music, I hear the whole thing. I can't tell who is playing which part or who is playing better than the others individually.

Why is there a first violin and a concertmaster, first and seconds in every section? What's the difference?symphony

Along with what's already bee said, the concertmaster has the honor of being the representative for the orchestra. He walks out either first or individually acknowledging the audience's applause for the orchestra. He welcomes the conductor to the stage by shaking his hand on behalf of the orchestra.

It falls to the concertmaster to to make bowing decisions (up bow/down bow) for the section (or all strings) when not clearly indicated in the music.

The concert master gives the reference pitch for tuning the orchestra (although the oboe often initiates the pitch ... as it is perhaps the least flexible for tuning in the orchestra).

Should the conductor not be able to fulfill his office due to illness, the concertmaster would conduct the program unless other arrangement have been made in advance.

The concertmaster may be the best violinist in the orchestra, but ideally all the instrumentalists are of similar caliber, the first and second play different parts. Sometimes the music is unison (that is 1st and 2nd play the same thing.) sometimes only firsts will play (on quieter passages), in even quieter passages perhaps only the concertmaster and principal violinist (1st chair, 2nd violin) will play, sometimes first and second will play parallel harmonic structures (a third, fifth, or sixth apart) and sometimes the music for each section is completely different.

Quite often I think that the inside harmony parts (2nd violin, 1st and 2nd viola) are more difficult to learn than the first.

Why is there a first violin and a concertmaster, first and seconds in every section? What's the difference?performing arts center opera theater

Ok, The violins are split into 2 sections, 1st violinists and 2nd violinists. The concertmaster is the first chair violin of the 1st violin section. The concertmaster is usally the best violinist who will play solos and conduct the tuning of the string section. The only way to tell who's playing what is to see the people playing, viewing the musical score or if you have a good enough ear, you can just tell who's playin what. Trust me I'm Concertmaster of the Benold Symphony Orchestra
It's good that you can't hear the individuals apart from the whole -- that's the intention. However, the first chair of each section serves several roles:

- they are the ex officio soloists for any solo sections written for their instrument

- they coordinate the section, which is particularly important for the strings, where they dictate the bowings where there may be any doubt

Most sections do NOT have an official second chair. The strings may be an exception, because the section is so large. However, there ARE Violin I and Violin II parts written for most large symphonies; within each section (the First Violins and the Second Violins) there is a first chair player. The concertmaster, by tradition, is the First Chair Violin I player. This tradition has arisen because this player generally must be the most virtuosic of all the players in the orchestra, because more solo passages are written for Violin than for any other instrument.
Concertmaster is first chair in the first violin section. Principal second is first chair in the second violin sections. Often, the level of playing is quite similar, or close to being so. Best way to tell what parts are being played is to examine the score while listening.
Violins are split into two parts; therefore, the first "ring" of musicians are the two first chairs of first violin, the two first chairs of second violin, the two first chairs of the violas, and the two first chairs of the cellos (celli? lol)

The concertmaster is the first chair of first violin; he or she is considered the leader of not only his section but sometimes the entire orchestra.

The only difference between first violin and second violin (well, it is a large difference if you think about it) is that they play different parts (in skill level, they should be about the same). It's more often that first violins get the melody and the second violins harmonize, but it can be the other way around.

If you want to be able to tell the difference, you really can't for the violins, unless you know the actual piece they're playing. But, you can tell the difference between the cellos, violas and violins, as well as the basses if they aren't being smothered. They should sound like a cohesive unit (if they don't, that's a really bad thing!) but if you want, next time pick out a strain of music and follow it (for example, if it's the melody and the first violins' bows are doing the same thing as the melody, you know it's the first violins). It's a really interesting experience!
The first violins and the second violins play different parts.

But within those sections, the players are all playing the same thing. Unless there is a solo which will be played by the concertmaster who is the leader of the first violin section. (In UK the term is "the leader" ).

The above answers are correct with respect to the duties of the first and seconds of a section
1st violin, they are virtuousos who will do solos etc

they lead and also inspire the rest

it is meant to be a BODY of sound

together they should sound as one

but they do different parts

u just cant tell