howtoviolin.com

The violin is a very interesting instrument. It produces music according to the technique of the violinist. It is an instrument that belongs to the string family. It is considered to be the soprano of the family. It is also an important part of the orchestra instruments. the violin has come a long way from where it all started and has acquired popularity through the different musicians that have played the violin.

The violin has originated from Europe where Andrea Amati made the first violin. The violin was inspired by the lira and the rabab. In addition to this, Amati made the violin to be an elegant and noble instrument like the lute in the early years. Amati made the violin with care and precise measurements to meet the requirements of the Medici family.

From the very first violin of Amati came different variations of the violin. Nowadays, there have been variations and changes in the original violin components. These changes are mainly due to technology and the growing need to market violin as an instrument for all ages.

Some changes that have happened in the aesthetics and components of the violin include:

1.) The fingerboard is lengthened to allow it to play higher notes

2.) The fingerboard angle has change to male more dimensions

3.) One centimeter was added to the neck because of raising the pitch of the violin

4.) Bass bar increased in weight in able to achieve higher string tension

Different classifications and types of violin have also surfaced. Violins can be first classified into two types: the acoustic and the electric violin.  The acoustic violin is the conventional violin. It is recommended for beginners. The other kind, electric violin uses electricity. Its sound is sharper than the conventional violin.

The violin can also be classified according to the era that it was produced. There are basically three classifications of the violin; baroque, classical and modern violin. The baroque violin has an angle that is shallow and a shallow neck. Chin rest and shoulder rests were not important during this era. The strings of the violin were put in the violin with equal tension. The classical violin had a thin neck. Modern violin has a sharp angle and has a high tune.

Violins are also classified according to the audience that they cater. Here are a list of the sizes of violins and their corresponding target market.

1.) 1/16- this size is suitable for three to four year old children and has and arm length of 14 to 15 3/8 inches.

2.) 1/10- it has the same market as the 1/16 only that it is higher arm length

3.) 1/18- has an arm length of 17.1 to 17.5 inches and is for 3 to 5 year old children

4.) 1/4- for children aged 4-7 and has an arm length of 17.6 to 20 inches

5.) 1/2- has an arm length of 20-22 inches and is for children aged 6-10

6.) 3/4- for children 9-11 years old and has length of 22- 23.5 inches

7.) Full size- this is the size for children aged 9 and above. It is used by adults.

All these classifications are guide to choosing the right violin for a certain person. Violins are precious instruments that they need to be chosen carefully.

Many instruments are used in the production of music. These instruments are divided into sub-groups according to their components and parts. Some of these groups are bass, horn and string instruments. String instruments basically have strings as their component and it is through these strings that they create sound. The violin is a member of this group of instruments.

The violin is the soprano member of the string family. It is made up of bow, strings, and the fingerboard and a body. Violin has a colorful history. It is said that the string musical instrument with bows originated from Europe in the ninth century. The first bowed instrument was lira from the Byzantine Empire. Ibn Khurradadhbih cited lira as equivalent to the Islamic Empires rabab. The lira proliferated during the 11th and 12th century and European writers interchangeably used fiddle and lira when they referred to instruments with bow. The Islamic instrument rabab was introduced through the Iberian Peninsula in Western Europe and spread to different European areas. The lira and the rabab gave birth to bowed instruments.

The first violin came from Northern Italy in the 16th century.  The first violins only have three strings and it is possible that the first luthiers borrowed the violin concept from the rabab. It was precisely described in the book Epitome Musical in 1556 by Jambe de Fer.

Violin was considered as a lowly instrument but in the 18th century, well-known composers used the violin and it gained popularity and respectability. It gained more popularity and prestige in the Baroque period. The violin’s earliest form is different from the violin’s form today. The early forms of violin had a shorter neck, thicker and had fewer angles. The fingerboard was shorter, the strings were from gut and the bridge was flatter.

Throughout the centuries, European countries have two prominent kinds of bowed instruments; lira de braccio, lira de gambe. Lira de braccio is a square shaped instrument that is held in the arms while lira de gamba is held within the knees. The gambas were popular during the Renaissance period but they were replaced by the braccios and the violin as years rolled on.

The famous luthier, Andrea Amati made the first real violin in the 16th century. Amati made the violin because the Medici Family ordered an instrument that can be used by musicians who roamed the streets. The Medici required the instrument to be of equal quality as the lute which is considered to be the noblest instrument at that time. Amati used the method of applying a mould to accurately build the instrument. He also made the body of the instrument slightly arched.

The oldest surviving violin is the “Charles IX” by Andrea Amati. It was made in Cremone in 1564.  “Le Messie” is possibly the most popular and perfect violin which was made by Antonio Stradivari and was never used.

The violin has changed throughout the years. It has risen from the lowly status to an instrument which is highly regarded today. It is a very important part of the orchestra instruments. Throughout the years, there have been many changes in the specifications and parts of the violin have been made. These changes have changed the aesthetics of violin.

There have also been advances in the making of violin and modern kinds of violin have proliferated.

If you are a newbie in the field of playing the violin, then, perhaps you think that the challenges you are facing now are no other than too daunting to bear. While it may be true in some ways, you should also understand that the pressures that you feel are natural. Of course, this is new to you. You haven’t had any of these same experiences. In other words, it is like your own period of apprenticeship. You are about to learn the fundamentals and incorporate these things so you can harness your own skill and mastery in playing this musical instrument.

Nevertheless, this instrument is truly challenging to play. You simply need to familiarize the techniques and basic skills in using the bow, fingering the hairs or strings, and eventually you will be pleased with how well you are doing it. In fact, several people have succeeded in their pursuit of playing this wonderful instrument. The secret that they have is that of their willingness to be trained, to learn, and to fulfill the dream and desire that they have in their hearts. It takes a long time to become a violinist. At the same time, your desire should drive you towards achieving the proper training so that you will be great in your own time.

For you to learn fast and easy, here are a couple of guidelines to take note of. They have to be strictly followed for your own dose of success.

Know your own instrument. There are parts that compose the violin. As you have chosen to play it, it becomes your responsibility to become familiar with what makes it up. Each of the parts has its own role to play. Hence, get to know them and discover their important contributions in the production of good sound quality.

Know its proper maintenance. It should be your routine to check up on your violin. Be sure that it is always clean, the strings are aligned and secure, and so on. Its good condition is your passport to owning it for a long period of time.

Practice to become perfect. A formal lesson is usually what you need especially if it is your very first time to play the violin. Practice will make you perfect your craft. Make use of your passion as your inspiration in fulfilling your dream of becoming a violinist.

Learn with a good instructor. The techniques and skills will be taught by no other than an expert in handling this. It pays to have a good instructor by your side. Learning by the book is economical but it can never equal the advantages that a violin teacher can provide you with.

Set your goals. Why do you want to learn? Is it just a hobby for you? Or do you really want to be a violinist? You need to identify your short-term and long-term goals as you go through your violin lessons.

Stay positive. Learning how to play it takes some time. After all, it is a process. You don’t learn everything overnight. So, don’t fret because in due time you will learn everything. Sooner or later you will be confident.

Furthermore, the violin is a beautiful instrument. Let your passion for music motivate you to learn everything that you should so you will end up successful in this endeavor.

Music is produced by the harmonious blending of sounds. These sounds come form humans and instruments alike. Creating music that can tap to the hearts and minds of people is really a tiring and exhilarating work. Musicians and artists have used different techniques in conveying their messages through music. Playing instruments is one way of producing music that can touch the hearts of the audience. One instrument that can provide dramatic and quality music is the violin.

The violin is a stringed instrument. It is mainly composed of a neck, a belly and a back. There are violin parts and accessories that come together to produce music. The violin is played by drawing a bow against the strings or by plucking the strings. There are many kinds of violin that have their own history and classifications.

The bass violin is the usual modern term used to refer to 16th and 17th bass instruments of the violin family. These bass violins are the forefathers of the cello. Bass violins are larger than the modern cello but have the same tune. It is said that the first bass violin was developed by Andrea Amati. It was introduced in Italy and traveled around Spain. It was the most used instrument in the century.

Another type of violin is the kit violin. The kit violin is basically a very small violin. It is designed to fit the pocket and is usually referred to as pochette fiddle. It was used by entertainers and street musicians. The kit violin was probably used by performers who had a lot of action in their performance. The kit violin has three strings.

The nail violin was invented by a German violinist Johann Wilde in 1740. The creation of the nail violin stemmed from the accidental drawing of Wilde’s bow across a metal peg. This accident produced a musical sound and Wilde got his inspiration to create the nail violin. Nail violin is composed of a semicircle wooden soundboard and iron and brass nails which have varied lengths. The bow for the nail violin had horsehair.  According to history records, the nail violin was only used by Senal. Senal changed other parts of the instrument and used it during his performances.

Another kind of violin is the stroh or horn violin. Stroh violin increases the sound of by the use of metal resonator and metal horns. These metal components of the stroh violin are what make it different from the classical violin. The violin was invented by Johannes Mattthias Augustus Stroh. The stroh violin is different from the classical violin because of its ability to amplify the sound louder and the ability for directional projection. These violins were used in recording studios.

The tenor violin is a kind of violin that is in between the cello and the viola. It is basically an octave below the traditional violin. The tenor violin has a large body and a short neck.

The latest development in the types of violin is the electric violin. The electric violin has sharper tone than the contemporary violin. Furthermore, it requires electricity to function.

The violin has truly come a long way from the contemporary form. These variations and changes in type have been made to enhance the abilities of the violin. Violin, regardless of type, is a very important instrument. It is rightful that instrument makers make variation as to improve it.

Musical geniuses have been honored throughout time. Singers, rock bands, pop bands, lead guitarist and drummers have received recognition for their various performances. The greatest players of the violin have also been honored by different organizations and award giving bodies.

Violinists undergo tremendous preparations and practices for their performances. Unlike singers who belt out their songs, these violinists do not rely on their voice but rather on their ability and their precious violin. Violins have started its success as a musical instrument in Europe. It was given much attention during Charles IX existence that this attention has fueled artists to learn how to play the violin.

This article is aimed at giving tribute and honor to the greatest violinist of all time. One of the great violinists is Alessandro Rolla. Rolla was born in April 22, 1757 in Pavia, Italy. He was highly regarded in his time as a violinist, a composer and a teacher. Nonetheless, many people have said his claim to fame was being the teacher of Niccolo Paganini. While it is true that Rolla was Paganini’s teacher, it is not right that he be restricted to that definition. Paganini’s techniques like left-hand pizzicato, chromatic ascending and descending scales, high positions on violin and viola and octave passages were introduced by Rolla.

Rolla had his first public appearance as a soloist when he was 15. He studied under Gian Andrea Fioroni who was a prominent musician in Milan. Rolla was very much involved in opera and spend his time conducting for certain operas. He became the main viola of the Ducale Orchestra and he conducted and performed as a soloist. He was a big influence on Paganini’s music. His works were highly appreciated as shown in the articles and review of the Leipziger Zeitung.

One of the greatest violinists is Niccolo Paganini. He was an Italian composer and a violinist. He contributed many luminous and drastic innovations in violin technique that are still praised up to this day. He was born on October 27, 1782 in Genoa, Italy. At the age of seven, he began playing the violin due to the instructions of his father.  Paganini was an instant success when he delivered his first solo concert when he was 12.

After staging his concert, he further studied playing the violin to optimize his potentials. He studied under Giovanni Servetto and even had the chance to meet the great violinist Alessandro Rolla. He played his violin for Rolla hoping that Rolla will teach him techniques. Rolla told Paganini that he has nothing to teach for him because he is already good. Paganini had the choice to stop there as much as Rolla has complimented him. Nonetheless, he didn’t stop studying and practicing playing the violin and engaged himself in self-study.

He pushed himself to be the greatest violinist ever and practice 15 hours a day. Paganini’s 24 Caprices is regarded as the most difficult music ever composed. Paganini’s ability enabled him to play lyrical passages, fast scales and wide interval arpeggios.

These violinists are only some of the notable violinist of their time. Many great violinists have emerged in different generations but these two violinists have created a great impact on the lives of others. They are people who have proved the worth of a violinist and the value of a violin.

Have you recently bought your own violin? Have you already enrolled at any violin class? You need some formal lessons to be able to learn how to play this musical instrument. Although it has strings, it doesn’t have any frets like the guitar. Therefore, you can’t trust on any plucking skill alone to be able to produce the sound.

In playing this instrument, you have to use the bow. Hence, you should know how to use it. It is not all about moving it to and fro. You must learn the necessary positions to employ so that you can properly execute the appropriate bowing technique. At the same time, there are certain positions of the instrument which you should also practice.

So, how do you play the violin when in fact you are yet to learn a lot of things? What if you are a beginner, can you still play if efficiently? Perhaps the difference will lie on the confidence of the musician. The pros are certain to play with all of their skills, mastery, and of course, their confidence. If you have been playing the instrument all your life, then, it only follows that you are more self-assured as you face people. On the other hand, an amateur is likely to have the mindset that he is not yet as good as anybody else. With constant practice, you too can be the master of your craft.

The following are some of the very essential tips for those who are just beginning to unravel their own prowess in playing the violin.

Learn the basics. If the basics have been wrongly grasped, then, the execution will also be done wrong. If this happens, one is sure to happen and that is you will not be able to produce the right sound for your music.

Learn the parts and maintenance needs. Your instrument is made up of a myriad of parts. Thus, you should know each of them and what they do. Most importantly, you must know how to take good care of your musical instrument to ensure that its life is going to be prolonged.

One of the best skills that you have to develop is that of using both of your left and right hands. Your left hand’s main use is that of fingering. There are techniques that you must be familiar with regarding the use of your hand to properly hold the instrument. The proper position actually lets you express the sound in the right way. Meanwhile, the right hand is mainly used for holding the bow. One effective way of bowing is by firstly playing the violin in a very slow motion. This will train you to learn the various angles that your bow can go to. That is, from one end to the other.

Practice your active listening skills. The ears should be trained to listen intently as to whether the right notes are being played. The ears are also used to know if the violin is in the right position and if the hand is in the correct place.

Most amateurs think that starting out with the fundamentals of violin playing is such a daunting task. Every beginner must understand that it is the burning passion that makes things easy. Furthermore, discipline and training are two of the vital factors that are to be developed so that it will be less complicated to learn the pertinent skills and techniques.

How do you play the violin? What is the experience like?

Learning how to play the violin can be a difficult endeavor yet it is a rewarding experience. Playing this musical instrument actually takes a lot of knowledge and skill. One should know the proper way of holding it, using the fingers to execute the notes, and then sounding the notes. All of which are garnered through a formal lesson. Taking up violin lessons is one of the best ways to learn the efficient way of holding and playing it. Although workbooks and online tutorials are already popular these days, it still pays off to have a teacher to assist you every step of the way.

This article is meant to enhance your knowledge on how you can effectively play it.

Holding the Violin

Holding the violin in its right position is very vital. An incorrect position of the instrument leads to the difficulty of playing it. It is not only uncomfortable on the part of the musician but it may not likewise produce a good sound.

The left arm is supposed to be curved at the base of the body of the violin and must be placed around and over the neck. This will allow the hand and the fingers to position over the strings. The chin rest is then placed in between the chin and the left shoulder. Meanwhile, the right arm should be situated in front of the face so the bow will be able to pluck the strings accordingly.

This knowledge in proper positioning of the violin then leads the musician towards fingering the right notes. In contrast with the guitars, violins don’t have frets. Therefore, as the musician, you should train yourself to listen very well to the notes. Your ears should be sharp in taking note if your bow is plucking the right notes on the fingerboard.

Positions of the Violin

The violin is held in four different positions. The first position is actually the farthest from the musician’s face. It is the position used to sound the low-pitched notes. The fourth position is the one used to sound the highest notes. The violin is then placed further up the neck.

The strings of this musical instrument are tuned according to the lowest towards the highest. They are placed in order as G, D, A, and E. The violinists can also play the open strings which mean that they can play the string even without pressing on it. More so, they can also change the tone produced by the string by means of applying pressure.

Sounding the Notes

When the fingers touch the notes, they create the sound. Therefore, there are various ways of sounding them. The bow can be dragged across the strings that need to be played. Doing so creates a long and steady sound. The musician can likewise play the pizzicato which means plucking the strings with the fingers using the right hand. This creates the staccato sound.

Playing the violin is not just about knowing how to play the notes. It is more of understanding the right position of the instrument, using the bow, fingering the notes, reading the notes, and playing the music by ear. These tips are sure to help you understand your instrument more. Hence, start learning these basics now!

Violin strings are actually very personal materials. As you go out to buy, you will be faced with different choices. This then makes your selection quite complicated. Which one should you get? Unlike the other parts of the violin, you can’t possibly try everything before you will be asked to pay for your purchase.

Nevertheless, the kind of string that you use on your violin produces a tremendous effect on the sound that it creates. The variety of kinds of violin strings also produces different tones and sound quality. One more thing, the materials that compose the strings also determine the durability and ability to be tuned. Therefore, you should do a lot of research prior to choosing anything from the market.

More often than not, a violin that seems too hard to tune is fixed by means of changing the strings. Again, the strings have an immense effect on the quality of sound that is created by this musical instrument. It is also necessary to check the other parts as to whether they have openings or cracks that affect the quality of the sound.

There are three common types of violin strings which are available in today’s market. The three categories are the steel strings, the gut core strings, and the synthetic core strings.

The Steel Strings

The metal or steel core strings are widely recognized for their pure and clear tone as well as the volume it produces. They are known to stay in tune for a long period of time and have a stable pitch. Jazz players, bluegrass, and other violinists in most countries prefer these strings. Beginners often settle for this. However, these strings may produce some kind of metallic or thin sound which is not appropriate in playing classical music.

The Synthetic Core Strings

These are made out of the nylon called perlon. They produce a subtler, thicker, and rich sound as opposed to the steel core strings. However, the newer versions are less pitch stable. They also take time to get stretched out and tuned. Once they have adjusted, you don’t have to tune them every now and then because the tone becomes consistent.

The Gut Core Strings

These are recognized for the warmest and most complicated sound to be produced by the violin strings. Many of the classical musicians as well as soloists often use this type because of the rich overtone that it exudes. Amateurs and intermediate players are not advised to use the gut core strings since they are harder to tune and are much unstable in their pitch.

How to Choose the Violin Strings

So how should you choose the right violin strings to buy? From what has been said above, the different kinds of strings also have different characteristics. You should take note of what kind of sound you want to produce. Your choice of string must be appropriate for the type of music that you will play. Also consider the durability and the strings’ ability to be tuned.

The violin strings come in different price ranges. Therefore, you have to keep these considerations in mind. Remember that the strings contribute to your overall violin playing experience. You can also ask the salesmen for further recommendations. More so, you may ask your teacher for the most advisable strings to use.

This article will educate you on how to go about with violin bowing. Read on to find out the fundamentals of playing this musical instrument.

Developing Your Potential

You must not think that your being a left-handed person will be a hindrance for the efficient playing of the violin. You need to learn the right thing to do as if you are one kind of right-handed person. In the beginning, you will surely find it hard to do. But take things easy. You will soon find out the technique to perfectly execute it. Being left-handed will actually give you an advantage. That is, fingering and doing the vibrato will be easier and more precise for you. More so, after some time of practicing, you will then find out that you have turned into an ambidextrous. Meaning to say, you can use both of your hands.

They say that practice makes perfect. Thus, you can count on the master violinists’ expertise in automatically moving their hands. Your constant practice will likewise develop your mastery and concentration which is nevertheless going to be driven by habit.

Getting to Know the Bow

The violin is made up of different parts. Each part has a name of course. Technically, the “bow” is the wooden stick wherein the hairs are connected. The “grip” is the one that wraps around one of the ends of the stick. The “frog” adjoins the hairs and the bow.

The bow is then composed of a big screw at the tip. It is used either to relax or to tighten the hairs. It is important to check the tightness of the hairs before you start practicing. Its being too tight may cause the hairs to break. On the other hand, the hairs may not produce the right sound when they are too relaxed. See to it that the hairs are aligned and the tightness is just enough so as not to sacrifice the quality of sound to be produced.

The violin bow is a stick that is essentially lithe and semi-elastic. It is stretched from one end to the other. In playing this musical instrument, the bow should be driven and pulled across those strings. The vibration then results to the production of the sounds.

The Kinds of Violin Bows

There are various types of violin bows. They are the following:

Tropical hardwood. The bows are made out of brazilwood. These are cheaper and always available so they are just perfect to use by the neophyte players.

Carbon fiber. These bows are the ones which are heavy duty. These are also bonded with the use of resin and are high-grade. This material features almost the same quality as the pernambuco so it counts as a cheaper alternative.

Pernambuco. These bows are more durable and heavier. They are also elastic, dense, and responsive. They boast of a soft feel so they are generally comfortable to be used. Pernambuco violin bows are not only expensive but rare as well.

Fiberglass. These bows are nonetheless durable. They last for a longer time and easily bought anywhere. Being inexpensive, they are best to use by those who have just begun learning how to play the violin.

When buying your violin bow, you should consider its durability and price. Also take note of the frequency that you are going to use it. More so, choose one that will give you all the comfort when playing.

Music performances attract many people. Concerts and dance performances are big hits for many producers. Solo concerts and performances are most awaited by budding artists. It is through solo performances that an individual gauges his following and his fame. It is sad to note that violin performances and orchestra performances do not generate as much audience as concerts generate.

Audiences are more attracted to rock music and band members banging on their drums and plucking their guitars. Very few people attend to violin concertos and other orchestra performances. Only orchestra enthusiasts and parents support the performances of people from the orchestra.

Violin concertos suffer the same fate with other orchestra performances. The Italian word concerto is used to refer to a musical work with three parts wherein one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra. Concerto has risen from the Baroque period and the concerto grosso. Violin concertos have been structured into four movements by Dmitri Shostakovich, Igor Stravinsky and Alban Berg.  The famous violin concertos include the works of Bach, Beethoven, Mozart and Paganini.

The violin concerto was a perfect avenue for artists’ performances during the 19th century. The concerto advanced during this century and violinists were regarded as heroes. They are honored, respected and given high acknowledgement.  Violin concertos often have recitative elements. These elements showed the influence of the opera in Italy. Paganini flourished in this century and used his unique abilities in staging performances. He took advantage of the potential of the violin and pushed the possibilities to the limits.

Two concertos that are worth mentioning is Johannes Brahms and Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy concerto. Brahms concerto was the only concerto he ever composed. It was first played on January 1, 1879 and Brahms conducted this first ever performance. The concerto was dedicated to Joseph Joachim and Joachim had the privilege of playing it during the first performance.

Brahm worked on the concerto when he retired in Southern Austria in 1878.  The concerto was a collaboration of Brahms and Joachim. Joachim was a good friend of Brahm. The first three movements of the concerto were finished in august 1878 and Brahm sent a copy to Joachim. Brahm asked Joachim for his suggestions and Joachim obliged. The concerto’s first movements were thematic and dramatic. The second movement was composed of many themes and variations.

The Mendelssohn concerto is often associated with child prodigies. The composer was educated in musical schools and had a public appearance at the age of 9 and collected his compositions when he was 11.This concerto was dedicated to Ferdinand David and was completed in many years. The concerto’s first staging was a success. However, David couldn’t make the subsequent performances and sent his pupil to perform his act.

The next artist who performed the concerto was the then 14 year old, Joseph Joachim. Joachim did a great job in the concerto and this was his claim to fame.

The concerto had a wonderful melody because of the composer’s gift. The first movement of the concerto was straightforward and simple. It was understandable. The movements in the concerto were well coordinated and the transitions sustained the mood.

These two violin concertos have gained fame and popularity in their times. Up to now, these concertos are still considered as two of the best violin concertos. Contemporary artists often perform these concertos to gain the fame that they want to achieve.