MI: LIBRARY: INSTRUMENTS: STRINGS: VIOLIN

History
In a instrument family called the strings, the violin is considered one of the most important orchestral instruments. Violins are among the most well-known Western orchestral instruments. While their history has some unclear portions, they are very old instruments and their large repertoire of music from many eras indicates that.

The violin first appeared around 1550 as a evolution from the medievel fiddle, lira da braccio, and rebec. The earliest violins had pretty much all the characteristics of today’s violins. Although they are widely used, their design has seen very little in the way of changes throughout the 400 years they have been in use. 

Early violin making started in Italy and grew wildley. It enjoyed tremendous sucess for famous violin makers, Stradivari and Guarneri. The violin also created a world of sucess for composers of the time. 

Vivaldi, a violin-composer, was among the composers of the 18th century vastly expanded the sco e of the playing techniques. Later in the 1800’s the bow would be perfected. This would complete what is considered to be one of the most versatile instruments. 

Description
The violin is the smallest instrument in the family of bowed string instruments that includes violas and double basses. It is one of the most important members of an orchestra and modern orchestras usually have 24 violinists divided into firsts and seconds. Together they are known to play more notes than any other member of the orchestra.

As a soloist, the violin fairs well because it’s tone can be heard amazingly well through the largest of orchestras. It is also sucessful in that it can perform music in a variety of manners. These include “pizzicato” where the musician plucks the strings to create a choppy sound, and “legato” passages where they are very smooth and rounded. 

Being one of the most versatile instruments, the violin is found in a wide array of groups. Aside from the common orchestra, violins are also heard in styles such as bluegrass and jazz. In bluegrass, they add a fiery excitement to the music. In jazz, they add a unique contrast as soloists.

Violin Variations
Viola: This common violin variation is very similar to the violin with the exception of its size and slightly different proportions. Like the violin it is wooden with steel strings. Although it hasn’t enjoyed the popularity of the violin, it has been popular with composers, both Bach and Mozart being accomplished viola players.

Hardanger fiddle: This is a wooden folk violin from Norway. It looks very much like the modern violin. It is very interesting in its design and the fact that not all the strings are used. Those not used are meant to a “jangling” sound to the tune. 

Rebec: One of the ancestors of the modern orchestral violin, the wooden rebec can come across as a bowed lute, although it is not. The rebec lacks the warmth of the violin and has an almost harsh sound.

Rebab andaluz: Considered to be one of the ancestors of all bowed Western string instruments, the  rebab andaluz is rarely heard today. It is a form of the rebec and today it’s buzzing sound is generally only heard in Morrocco.

Erhu: The erhu is, like most Chinese instruments, incredibly interesting. It has only two strings, and yet, plays very complex songs. Its composition is also interesting, including evrything from silk strings, to snakeskin.

Sarangi: Not unlike other instruments from India, the sarangi has a haunting sound. It is held upright in the players lap and can be very difficult to play. One version of the instrument was only mastered by the family of its inventor.

Kamanche: This small violin comes from Iran and is one of the only stringed instruments in their tradition. It has a lot of materials in it including bones and sometimes bladders! It is played upright like a cello, with it’s spike in the ground.

Hurdy-gurdy: The hurdy-gurdy is mechanically operated in that it has a crank and keys. It looks “funky” and is played on the musicians lap. It is made of wood and metal and has a very raspy sound. 

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I think you should say more about violas because I think violas are better because they're not as squeeky and are so easy to play!! I would like to know where I could rent one or buy one in Alaska.

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The possessive word its does not have an apostrophe in it.

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Great discription of violin history. But I did wish you had written more about modern-day artists like Pearlman.

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piktures of vilio

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Yeah, I do think you should say more about violas. I play the viola at my MS, and in my opinion it sounds waaaay better than the violin (no offense Quatre-sama). They're not that easy to play, but violists usually don't have to go all the way to 11th position and stuff, so I guess its not that bad. And can you also say something about viols?

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I´m a teacher from germany and read the e-mail from Sabrina Glowacki. I would like to contact her because my maiden name is exactly the same: Sabrina Glowacki. I choose this public way because you, Sabrina, missed your E-Mail adress in your comment.

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I´m a teacher from germany and read the e-mail from Sabrina Glowacki. I would like to contact her because my maiden name is exactly the same: Sabrina Glowacki. I choose this public way because you, Sabrina, missed your E-Mail adress in your comment.

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hi

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The viola is cool, but I LOVE my violin! They are not squeaky either! You just have to play it right. you have to play it in just the right spot.thats all!

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help me a bout design violin.thankyou

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