"Helping to make your life more beautiful through music"

Choosing An Instrument - Violin

Playing the Violin is a joy and a delight. The range of sounds and the distinctive tonal quality of the violin makes it an exciting and rewarding instrument. Often called upon to carry the melody, the violin’s unique sound is the life’s breath of any orchestra. The violin is also an excellent solo instrument, and it can be played with accompaniment, or in duet, or in groups.

The Violin, sometimes called a “fiddle”, is the smallest member of the strings family. It is considered one of the most popular solo instruments. Typically, an orchestra has more violins than any other single instrument. In an orchestra, the violin section is divided into two parts – first and second violins—with the first violins playing the primary melody and higher notes, and the second violins playing the harmony and lower notes.

The Violin is often referred to as the “King” of the orchestra. No other instrument can produce the unique sounds and dynamics of the violin. Violin music can range from the soft to the extremely dramatic. The tonal quality of the violin comes closest to the sound of the human voice, and the violin is capable of crescendos and diminuendos unmatched by any other instrument.

The violin began as a three string instrument, but in 1555, Italian violin maker Andrea Amati added a forth string. It was Antonio Stradivari (1644-1737), however, that raised the art of violin making to its apex. Stradivari’s instruments are looked at as the finest violins ever made.

Violins are made in a variety of sizes—from 1/32 size to full size—designed to fit from a small child to adult. The violin is played by resting it on the left shoulder, holding it in place with the chin, the left hand holding the neck of the violins with the fingers on the strings. Music sound is made by drawing the bow, held in the right hand, across the strings.

While the violin is a popular professional instrument choice, choosing to play the violin does not mean that you have to become a professional musician. The violin lends itself well to playing for recreation, performances in church or school, or simply personal enjoyment, and learning to play the violin can bring you joy and satisfaction throughout your lifetime.