Violins
The violin is a string instrument which typically has four strings. It is the soprano member of a family of string instruments that includes the cello, viola and sometimes includes the double bass.
Violin or Fiddle
There is often a lot of confusion as to whether an instrument is a fiddle or violin and also whether someone playing the instrument is a violinist or fiddler? In fact a violin and fiddle are actually the same instrument with no differences between them. However, when being used as a folk instrument they are sometimes adapted to the style of music being played. The term fiddle is normally used as an informal name for the violin regardless of the music being played on the instrument. Having said this it is most commonly referred to as a fiddle when it is being played as a folk instrument.
A musician who plays the violin / fiddle can be known as either a violinist or a fiddler. The violin is used in a wide range of music genres including classical, jazz, folk music, pop-punk and rock, electronic / dance music.
Buying a Violin
As with most musical instruments unless you are an experienced player it is very difficult to know which violin to buy. Are you getting a good deal? Are you buying a good violin? Are you buying a violin which is suitable to your playing level? For this reason you either need to take an experienced violinist with you, or if you’re taking lessons then take your tutor or teacher. If you have to go on your own then research the local shops and find the most reputable one you can, so you know you will be sold the best violin for your needs.
Other than the build of the violin itself you might also want to consider:
- Cost, do you buy new or second hand? Within both new and second hand markets the price will vary a lot depending on whether the violin is mass produced or handmade.
- Strings, as with most stringed instruments you can have different types of strings and each type can have a profound effect on the sounds produced by the instrument. Depending on what sort of music / sound you are after you will need to learn about the different types of strings.
Playing the violin
When playing the violin you rest the base of the instrument under your chin and hold the neck with your left hand. You then hold the bow in the right hand and use this to create the sound from the violin.
The left hand is used for fingering and controls the pitch of the instrument and creates various effects when playing. The right hand is used to draw, strike or bounce the bow across the violins strings. A large importance is placed on ‘how’ the bow strikes the strings and also the direction in which the bow is used.
