Violin octet

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Violin octet

From left to right: Baritone violin Small bass violin Contrabass violin Tenor violin Alto violin Mezzo violin Soprano violin Treble violin
Other names	The New Violin Family
Classification	Bowed string instruments
Related instruments
Violin Viola Cello Double bass

The violin octet is a family of stringed instruments developed in the 20th century primarily under the direction of the American luthier Carleen Hutchins. Each instrument is based directly on the traditional violin and shares its acoustical properties, with the goal of a richer and more homogeneous 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 were proposed by composer Henry Brant in 1957 and the first octet was completed in 1967.