Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio
F E A T U R E
Explore an Instrument: Violin
F E A T U R E
Explore an Instrument: Violin
HISTORY
The name “violin” comes from the word “Vitula,” the name of the Roman goddess of joy. Before the violin became popular, most stringed instruments were plucked like a lyre. When trade between Asia and Europe was developed, the concept of horse-hair bows playing the strings was introduced, most likely from central Asian cultures like Mongolia, where they play instruments like the Morin huur or “horse head fiddle.” The bow originally looked like a hunting bow, and it was only just changed in the 19th century to look like what it is today. The violin shape we know of today emerged in northern Italy early in the 16th century. Many people know of the famous Stradivari and Guarneri violins made in this period. The French King Charles IX helped spread the popularity of the violin throughout Europe when he ordered 24 violins to be made for his orchestra, Les 24 Violons du Roi. Since then, the violin has been used in many major compositional works by baroque, classical, and romantic-era composers, and spread throughout the world to be used as a folk instrument and in other classical styles like traditional Indian music. Because the violin is so versatile, it is used in every kind of music today, from metal to pop.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
What is the typical size of a violin?
A full size violin has a body of 14 inches wide and about 23 inches tall. The violin is the smallest of the violin family. There are many smaller sizes for younger students, going as small as a 1/32 size which is only 7.5 inches wide and 13 inches tall!
Do you call it a “fiddle” or a “violin”?
Both! Usually, it depends on the style you’re playing. For genres like traditional Irish, Scottish, or American folk, it can be called a fiddle. For classical music, people usually say violin. Either way, a fiddle and a violin are one and the same!
What are some famous violin pieces to listen to?
Classical:
Chaconne for Solo Violin by Bach
Violin Concerto in E minor by Mendelssohn
Sibelius Violin Concerto in D-minor, Op. 47
The Lark Ascending by Vaughn Williams
Modern/fiddle:
Point of Know Return by Kansas
Devil Went Down To Georgia - The Charlie Daniels Band
Swallowtail Jig (Irish)
Drowsy Maggie (Irish)
Boil ‘Em Cabbage Down (American)
Who are some famous violinists I should listen to?
Hilary Hahn
Niccolò Paganini
Itzak Perlman
Allison Kraus
Joshua Bell
Mark O’Connor
Papa John Creach
... and MANY MORE!
Interesting Facts About the Violin:
•Most people consider playing the violin an intellectual pursuit. However, a violinist can burn around 170 calories per hour. That’s equivalent to about one soda!
• The main body of the modern violin contains 70 different parts. In high quality instruments, these parts are all made from a variety of woods.
• The violin was the leader of the orchestra before conductors became a main fixture. Prominent composers would often conduct their orchestral arrangements from the first violin chair or the concertmaster position.
• In Indian cultures, violin players sit cross-legged while playing, and rest the scroll on their feet with the bottom of the violin under their chin!
• Violinist Niccolò Paganini, a prominent performer in the early 1800’s, was one of the first musicians to pioneer the “rock star” image. He changed the game in terms of what it meant to be proficient, and was so popular that people would burst into tears in softer moments of his music.
To learn about our violin instructors, visit our Violin Page.
The name “violin” comes from the word “Vitula,” the name of the Roman goddess of joy. Before the violin became popular, most stringed instruments were plucked like a lyre. When trade between Asia and Europe was developed, the concept of horse-hair bows playing the strings was introduced, most likely from central Asian cultures like Mongolia, where they play instruments like the Morin huur or “horse head fiddle.” The bow originally looked like a hunting bow, and it was only just changed in the 19th century to look like what it is today. The violin shape we know of today emerged in northern Italy early in the 16th century. Many people know of the famous Stradivari and Guarneri violins made in this period. The French King Charles IX helped spread the popularity of the violin throughout Europe when he ordered 24 violins to be made for his orchestra, Les 24 Violons du Roi. Since then, the violin has been used in many major compositional works by baroque, classical, and romantic-era composers, and spread throughout the world to be used as a folk instrument and in other classical styles like traditional Indian music. Because the violin is so versatile, it is used in every kind of music today, from metal to pop.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
What is the typical size of a violin?
A full size violin has a body of 14 inches wide and about 23 inches tall. The violin is the smallest of the violin family. There are many smaller sizes for younger students, going as small as a 1/32 size which is only 7.5 inches wide and 13 inches tall!
Do you call it a “fiddle” or a “violin”?
Both! Usually, it depends on the style you’re playing. For genres like traditional Irish, Scottish, or American folk, it can be called a fiddle. For classical music, people usually say violin. Either way, a fiddle and a violin are one and the same!
What are some famous violin pieces to listen to?
Classical:
Chaconne for Solo Violin by Bach
Violin Concerto in E minor by Mendelssohn
Sibelius Violin Concerto in D-minor, Op. 47
The Lark Ascending by Vaughn Williams
Modern/fiddle:
Point of Know Return by Kansas
Devil Went Down To Georgia - The Charlie Daniels Band
Swallowtail Jig (Irish)
Drowsy Maggie (Irish)
Boil ‘Em Cabbage Down (American)
Who are some famous violinists I should listen to?
Hilary Hahn
Niccolò Paganini
Itzak Perlman
Allison Kraus
Joshua Bell
Mark O’Connor
Papa John Creach
... and MANY MORE!
Interesting Facts About the Violin:
•Most people consider playing the violin an intellectual pursuit. However, a violinist can burn around 170 calories per hour. That’s equivalent to about one soda!
• The main body of the modern violin contains 70 different parts. In high quality instruments, these parts are all made from a variety of woods.
• The violin was the leader of the orchestra before conductors became a main fixture. Prominent composers would often conduct their orchestral arrangements from the first violin chair or the concertmaster position.
• In Indian cultures, violin players sit cross-legged while playing, and rest the scroll on their feet with the bottom of the violin under their chin!
• Violinist Niccolò Paganini, a prominent performer in the early 1800’s, was one of the first musicians to pioneer the “rock star” image. He changed the game in terms of what it meant to be proficient, and was so popular that people would burst into tears in softer moments of his music.
To learn about our violin instructors, visit our Violin Page.
