Roger Hecht writes, of first and second violins: >That is, if they're playing different parts they by definition don't >"sound the same." I meant timbrally. The composer can write "divisi" if he/she wants the same sound playing different parts. >No matter how many parts the violins play, they are still violins Right, which is why the distinction between firsts and seconds must be more than just a scoring convenience. The distinction is only meaningful if they sound different, which they will if the f-holes are facing different directions. len.