How many strings does a standard violin have?

A violin carries four strings, tuned in perfect fifths to G, D, A and E from lowest to highest. Tuning in fifths rather than fourths, as a guitar largely does, spreads a wide pitch range across only four strings and puts the notes of common chords under a hand that barely has to move, which suits an instrument played with a bow one or two strings at a time. The strings run over an arched bridge, and that arch is what lets the player sound them individually instead of strumming them together. Underneath, a small wooden post called the sound post wedges the top plate to the back and carries vibration through the body, while a bass bar stiffens the top. The rest of the violin family follows the same four-string pattern: viola and cello are tuned C, G, D, A, and the double bass is the odd one out, tuned in fourths.

The bow is strung with horsehair, which grips the string through rosin rubbed onto it.