The violin is among the most popular instruments for young music students around the world. Played by both high society virtuosos and working-class musicians since it was first introduced in the 16th century, this stringed instrument plays such an important role in classical music that the lead violinist in an orchestra or symphonic band maintains a position of significance in the group second only to the conductor. While challenging to master, it remains a classic instrument that is beloved by people from varied musical backgrounds. Listed below are six surprising facts that everyone should know about the violin. 1. Violins come in different sizes to suit a player’s physical stature.Though it varies based on individual characteristics, professionals suggest that children can begin to take violin lessons between the ages of 3 to 6. To accommodate the physical statures of players at all ages, luthiers create violins in eight standard sizes, measured by the length of the instrument’s body. The smallest of these is the 1/16 size, measuring 9 inches long, and the largest, or full size, measures 14 inches in length. For the most part, adults and children 10 years of age and older will play a full-size violin. Choosing a correctly-sized violin is important, as it allows the musician to comfortably reach the notes on the instrument’s neck. 2. Violins are assembled from about 70 different wooden pieces. To assemble a violin, a luthier uses around 70 individual pieces of wood from many different kinds of trees. The violin’s top is made from a strong, resonant wood that is capable of withstanding the tension caused by the strings, like spruce. The sides, scroll, neck, back, and bridge are often made from an even stronger wood, like maple. The maple pieces provide structural support and stability to the instrument. The dark wood used for the fingerboard of a standard violin is almost exclusively made from ebony. However, more expensive models may be formed using rosewood, boxwood, or mahogany pieces which are stained black. 3. There are three main types of strings used on violins.Strings have a significant impact on the sound and playability of a violin. A musician can choose from three main types of strings: gut, steel core, and synthetic. Gut strings are the oldest type of strings, used by the first violinists nearly 500 years ago. Made from the intestines of sheep, they are typically wrapped in copper or silver wire and give music a warm, full-bodied tone. While gut strings create a beautiful sound, they need to be replaced and tuned more often than the other two types. The most common kind of strings, steel core, create crisp, vivid notes once they have been broken in, and last much longer than traditional gut strings. However, many beginners prefer to use synthetic strings, often made from nylon. They also produce notes with a warm tone, but are much easier to maintain than gut strings and can be purchased at a significantly lower cost. 4. There are major differences between student and professional quality violins.Like most instruments, the level of craftsmanship that goes into creating a violin has a major effect on the kind of sound it produces. The notes produced by the handmade violins favored by professionals far surpass the quality of those created by the manufactured violin models often purchased by new students. Though a budding violinist can practice effectively on any model, certain music brands are noted for their fair balance between affordability and sound quality. These brands include Yamaha, Hofner, and Cecilio. 5. Some of the greatest composers in history were noted for their abilities as violinists.History is full of composers who gained notoriety in music as the result of their ability to pay the violin. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart demonstrated a remarkable talent for the violin at the age of 5, and he later went on to compose famous pieces like Eine kleine Nachtmusik and operas like The Magic Flute. Johann Sebastian Bach first explored music on the harpsichord and in the choir before he was widely recognized for his skills on the violin in a German royal court. Italian Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi was a composer who exclusively played the violin and was responsible for the creation of the three-movement concerto. 6. Violinists aren’t restricted to playing classical music.Though the violin has a central and enduring importance in classical music, it is not the only genre for which musicians can play the instrument. Many modern music groups from a wide range of genres employ violinists to bring nuance to their work, including classic rock groups such as Queen and alternative pop bands like Mumford and Sons.
The violin is also almost as crucial to the folk and country genres as it is to classical music. However, when played with a folk or country group, many musicians call the instrument a fiddle. This term is used to distinguish between the more structured, technically complex violin-playing style used in classical music, and the rhythmic, spontaneous nature of the fiddle played in a folk, country, or bluegrass band. Comments are closed.
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Photo used under Creative Commons from Marina K Caprara