What was the violin originally used for?

The earliest violins were used for popular and dance music. During the 17th century it replaced the viol as the primary stringed instrument in chamber music. The Italian composer Claudio Monteverdi included violins in the orchestra of his opera Orfeo (first performed in 1607).

Where did the violin originally come from?

Stringed instruments have a long history in folk music, but the violin became more standardized after it went to court. Most historians agree that today's violin emerged in the early 16th century in northern Italy, an area which would maintain the violin-making tradition over the coming centuries.

What do violins symbolize?

The violin and other string instruments represent cold, sadness, tranquility, sympathy, fragility, and joy (Vivaldi's “Spring” for instance).

When did Andrea Amati invent the violin?

His earliest instrument is thought to be from 1546, though that instrument has been lost. The earliest existing instrument from Andrea is dated 1564. - The auction record for this maker is $49,431 in Nov 1991, for a violin.

Who made the very first violin?

Andre Amati

What family is the violin in?

string family

What is a 5 string violin called?

They are simply called "five-string violins" in the English language, and usually combine the viola and the violin's ranges. Other stringed instruments that have 5 strings are generally of the viol family, e.g. the pardessus de viole which could have 5 or 6 strings, or the quinton which specifically has 5 strings.

What is the difference between a fiddle and a violin?

Violin: Are Violins and Fiddles Different? The answer is a surprising “no.” A violin and a fiddle are the same four-stringed instrument, generally played with a bow, strummed, or plucked. ... Fiddle, in contrast, is associated with a wide variety of music styles including Cajun, bluegrass, folk, and country.

Which came first violin or cello?

The violin, viola, and cello were first made in the early 16th century, in Italy. The earliest evidence for their existence is in paintings by Gaudenzio Ferrari from the 1530s, though Ferrari's instruments had only three strings.

Is Cello louder than violin?

A violin will sound louder than a cello playing the same note in the same octave at the same dynamic. The viola will as well but to a lesser degree.

Is cello easier than violin?

Which is Harder to Play: Violin or Cello? ... People who have tried both instruments tend to say the cello is less difficult due to its more natural position. The position of the violin can feel awkward at first, however advanced violinists insist that it becomes natural over time.

How did the violin get its shape?

The answer, according to a study published this week in PLOS One, is that the modern violin owes its shape to mimicry, genetics, and evolution -- the same forces that guide the formation of biological shapes. The earliest violins appeared on the music scene in the 16th century in northern Italy.

What is the shape of the violin?

The body of a violin is rounded, and in fact, the thickness of the wood is not uniform either. Both the shape and the thickness describe a gently curving line. This lack of a straight line as a point of reference makes it very difficult to accurately shape.

What is the violin made of?

At the most basic, a violin is made of wood, which forms the body and intricate component parts, and glue. Its strings are fashioned either from cured animal intestines, steel, or synthetic material. A violin has fittings, such as tuning pegs, that can be made of wood or other materials, including plastics.

What is violin size?

Violins come in nine different sizes: 4/4, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10, 1/16, and 1/32. 4/4 (full size) being the biggest and 1/32 size being the smallest. Most all adults use a full size violin. ... This is measured when your hand is fully extended and raised perpendicular to your body, just like holding a violin.

Is violin hard to learn?

Will it be hard or difficult? Yes, absolutely! Bowed instruments are difficult to learn. They are very complex and sensitive instruments, so it takes a lot of good quality lessons and good quality practice to be able to play some simple tunes beautifully and achieve the realistic goal described above.

What size is a student violin?

Sizes of Violins 1/16 - Suitable for young children ages 3 to 5, with an arm length of 14 to 15 3/8 inches. 1/10 - Also for young musicians ages 3 to 5, with an arm length of 15 3/8 to 17 inches. 1/8 - Again, for young violin enthusiasts ages 3 to 5, with an arm length of 17.

What size is a 23 inch violin?

Fiddleheads Violin Studio Free Violin Sizing & Violin Sizes Chart
1. Age of Player * 2. Player's Arm Length * 3. Violin Size
11 years to Adult 23" and larger 4/4 or Full size
58cm and larger
Small Teen / Adult 22" and small hands 7/8 size
56cm and small hands

1. Age of Player *	2. Player's Arm Length *	3. Violin Size
11 years to Adult	23" and larger	4/4 or Full size
58cm and larger
Small Teen / Adult	22" and small hands	7/8 size
56cm and small hands

What size is a 21 inch violin?

3/4 Violins 9-12 year olds most often play this size violin. These instruments measure 21 inches long and fit arm lengths of 21 ½ – 22 inches.

Does the size of a violin matter?

The proportion between instrument size and arm length is important for the hand to have a good ergonomic position and reach naturally the fingers place. The size of the instrument means also a weight difference. a 4/4 violin is heavier than a 1/4 violin.

How do I pick the right violin?

7 Tips for Choosing the Right Violin for Beginners

Buy or Rent? There are a number of great beginner violins available, and at very affordable prices. ...
Size Matters. Never purchase or rent a beginner violin that is too big. ...
Craftsmanship and Materials. ...
Ask the Experts. ...
The Set Up Process. ...
Chin and Shoulder Rest Considerations. ...
Hear it Played.

Can I teach myself the violin?

Can you learn to play the violin without a teacher? Look, whether you have a teacher or not: in violin playing (and music making in general) we're ALL self taught. If you have weekly lessons and practice daily: most of the time YOU will be the one correcting yourself and not your teacher.

What is the cheapest violin?

20 Best Cheap Violin Reviews and the Best Budget Violins

Mendini 4/4 MV300 Wooden Antique Violin. ...
Mendini 4/4 MV500+92D Flamed 1-Piece Back Solid Wood Full-Sized Violin with all accessories. ...
Crescent 4/4 Full-Size Student Violin Starter Kit (Includes CrescentTM Digital E-Tuner)

What is a good starter violin?

Here are the 10 best violins for beginners:

Mendini MV200 Violin.
Mendini MV300 Violin.
Franz Hoffmann Amadeus Violin.
Bunnel Pupil Violin.
D Z Strad Model 101 Violin.
Cecilio CVN-300 Violin.
Cremona SV-175 Violin.
Stentor Student I Violin.

Can a cheap violin sound good?

Resonance: cheaper violins are not as resonant as better built instruments. The trick to producing a resonant tone is to play in tune (which we could expect our top violinist to do), and to use as a light a touch as possible to allow the instrument to vibrate as much as possible.

What was the violin originally used for?