The "voice" or sound of a violin depends on its shape, the wood it is made from, the graduation (the thickness profile) of both the top and back, the varnish that coats its outside surface and the skill of the luthier in doing all of these steps. To tune a violin, the A string is first tuned to a standard pitch (usually A=440 Hz). Traditional windings are of wire (often silver or plated silver), silk, or baleen ("whalebone", now substituted by alternating strips of tan and black plastic.)

As such, the violin with its current characteristic forms, appeared before the public in the second half of the sixteenth century. Vibrato can be produced by a proper combination of finger, wrist and arm motions. There is no one name credited to the creation of the violin. Most of what we know about Sephardic Jewish connection to the creation of viols and (subsequently violins) in the sixteenth century is from Roger Prior’s work with names and lineage. The sound of the second harmonic is the clearest of them all, because it is a common node with all the succeeding even-numbered harmonics (4th, 6th, etc.). Sometimes the two notes are identical (for instance, playing a fingered A on the D string against the open A string), giving a ringing sort of "fiddling" sound. Eventually, when oil, dirt, corrosion, and rosin accumulate, the mass of the string can become uneven along its length. [13][14][15] The first makers of violins probably borrowed from various developments of the Byzantine lyra. The natural texture of the horsehair and the stickiness of the rosin help the bow to "grip" the string, and thus when the bow is drawn over the string, the bow causes the string to sound a pitch. Students often start with relatively easy keys, such as A Major and G major. "[7] The related term "Viola da gamba" means "bass viol" (1724) is from Italian, literally "a viola for the leg" (i.e. In fact, Jews were not officially allowed to live in England until the Restoration, so many musicians changed their names or converted to Christianity to avoid further persecution. A vibrato-like motion can sometimes be used to create a fast trill effect. [a] The violin typically has four strings, usually tuned in perfect fifths with notes G3, D4, A4, E5, and is most commonly played by drawing a bow across its strings. Andre Amati is the person credited with inventing the first modern violin. In some musical styles, a sustained open string drone can be played during a passage mainly written on an adjacent string, to provide a basic accompaniment. [8] The word "fiddle" comes from "fedele, fydyll, fidel, earlier fithele, from Old English fiðele "fiddle," which is related to Old Norse fiðla, Middle Dutch vedele, Dutch vedel, Old High German fidula, German Fiedel, "a fiddle;" all of uncertain origin." In the 20th century the first electric violin was invented. Music students are often taught that unless otherwise marked in music, vibrato is assumed. To be effective as an acoustic violin, electro-acoustic violins retain much of the resonating body of the violin, and often resemble an acoustic violin or fiddle. While not primarily jazz violinists, Darol Anger and Mark O'Connor have spent significant parts of their careers playing jazz. Moving the hand up the neck, so the first finger takes the place of the second finger, brings the player into second position. The hourglass shape comprises two upper bouts, two lower bouts, and two concave C-bouts at the waist, providing clearance for the bow. While various parts of the hand or arm may be involved in the motion, the end result is a movement of the fingertip bringing about a slight change in vibrating string length, which causes an undulation in pitch. Los Salvadores also combine punk and ska influences with a violin. However, while the violin has had very little usage in mainstream rock music, it has some history in progressive rock (e.g., Electric Light Orchestra, King Crimson, Kansas, Gentle Giant). This, like any other unwarranted tension, would limit freedom of motion, and increase the risk of injury. The majority of glued joints in the instrument use animal hide glue rather than common white glue for a number of reasons. All violins have pegs; fine tuners (also called fine adjusters) are optional. Fun Facts about the History of the Violin. The strings may be sounded by drawing the hair of the bow held by the right hand across them (arco) or by plucking them (pizzicato) most often with the right hand. Artificial (false) harmonic of A7. Double stopping is when two separate strings are stopped by the fingers, and bowed simultaneously, producing a sixth, third, fifth, etc. Saint-Saëns's symphonic poem Danse Macabre includes the string section using the col legno technique to imitate the sound of dancing skeletons. It is sometimes indicated in written music by an arrowhead. This gives a less defined transition between the higher and lower note, and is usually implemented by interpretative choice. The harmonic finger can also touch at a major third above the pressed note (the fifth harmonic), or a fifth higher (a third harmonic). When played as a folk instrument, the violin is usually referred to in English as a fiddle (although the term fiddle can be used informally no matter what the genre of music).

99. Some old violins (and some made to appear old) have a grafted scroll, evidenced by a glue joint between the pegbox and neck.

The placement of the left hand on the fingerboard is characterized by "positions". Since electric violins do not rely on string tension and resonance to amplify their sound they can have more strings. The violin, sometimes known as a fiddle, is a wooden chordophone (string instrument) in the violin family.Most violins have a hollow wooden body.

Some violinists, however, object to this style of playing as it can damage the finish and impair the value of a fine bow, but most of such will compromise by using a cheap bow for at least the duration of the passage in question. [citation needed], The popularity of crossover music beginning in the last years of the 20th century has brought the violin back into the popular music arena, with both electric and acoustic violins being used by popular bands. Lightly touching the string with a fingertip at a harmonic node, but without fully pressing the string, and then plucking or bowing the string, creates harmonics. The violin is inspired by a variety of instruments. It is reported that in the middle of the sixteenth century, a violin school operated in the same city. Solo players (whether playing alone, with a piano or with an orchestra) play mostly standing up (unless prevented by a physical disability such as in the case of Itzhak Perlman), while in the orchestra and in chamber music it is usually played seated. Electric violins are usually constructed as such, but a pickup can be added to a conventional acoustic violin. String longevity depends on string quality and playing intensity. For example, overdone vibrato may become distracting. In Europe, it served as the basis for the development of other stringed instruments used in Western classical music, such as the viola.[1][2][3]. The arched shape, the thickness of the wood, and its physical qualities govern the sound of a violin. The violin is played either seated or standing up. This article is about the standard violin. It is also used in some virtuoso showpieces. Some such instruments are somewhat longer and should be regarded as violas. As well, the bow can be used to play short, crisp little notes, such as repeated notes, scales and arpeggios, which provide a propulsive rhythm in many styles of music.