Violin

BASIC INFORMATION

The violin is the soprano instrument of the string family.

What we know as the modern violin was first developed in Italy around 1550. One of the most famous makers of violins was Antonio Stradivari; Stradivarius violins are known across the world for their incredibly high quality sound.

Sound is made by pulling the bow across the strings, causing the strings to vibrate. The vibrations then resonate in the cavity in the body of the instrument and exit through the f-holes. Different pitches can be produced by pressing fingers on strings in certain positions.

The violin itself is held on the left side between the shoulder and the left jaw and assisted by the left hand. The bow is held in the right hand.

The basic tuning of the strings is G D A E (left to right, lowest to highest).

UNIQUENESS AND VERSITILITY

• A wide variety of notes can be produced by the violin; it has a four-octave chromatic range and can play chords, to an extent, by making multiple strings sound at the same time.
• Its popularity is can be attributed to its sound, the closest replication of the human voice that almost any instrument can produce.
• Countless types and styles of music are available for violins, including solos, small ensembles, unaccompanied pieces, concertos, and large orchestral works
• Nearly every class in societies across the globe have used some form of the violin in their music.

HOW VIOLINS ARE MADE

Though they look rather simple, there are about 70 different components that make up a violin.

Instruments are made by a master craftsman called a luthier.

Multiple types of wood are used to make a violin. Maple is common for the neck, pegbox, and scroll. A softwood is used for the belly (the top half of the body), while a hardwood is used for the back and sides.

Bows are made of both a piece of wood (the stick) and horsehair, strung and stretched across the stick and made adjustable by the tightening and loosening the end screw.

Video--How It's Made: Violin

http://www.stringinstrumentworkshop.com/flash.htm -- Green Bay area luthier and repairman

http://www.beardenviolinshop.com/repairs.php -- example repair costs

POPULAR USES AND ARTISTS

Violins are used outside of the traditional classical music. Many musical groups from popular to folk to jazz to bluegrass to contemporary worship bands include this instrument to add a twist to their sound. Traditional wooden acoustic violins are used as well as electric violins which often stray from the typical appearance of a violin.

A Few Famous and Recognizable Violin Pieces: Theme from Schindler's List, Vivaldi's Four Seasons-Summer, Orange Blossom Special, Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

Videos of Famous Violinists: Itzhak Perlman, Issac Stern, Mark O'Connor, Joshua Bell

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VIOLIN AND FIDDLE

It's all in how you play it. The instrument is the same for either, but when used to play certain styles (i.e. bluegrass, celtic, folk), it is often called a fiddle.

VIOLINS AND WARTBURG

The Wartburg Community Symphony includes violins and has hosted guest violinists as solo artists. Most recently, violinist Jessica Lee was featured in the contemporary Chinese piece "Butterfly Lovers."

Lohe 44 suite member Laura Mackey plays violin in the service trip worship band, Hope Overflow, as pictured below at a food pantry in Madison, WI.