This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our privacy policy. You can adjust cookie preferences in Cookie Settings.
The SwarShala Indian music software includes Violin and over 100 other perfectly sampled virtual Indian instruments.
The violin is part of a violin family (containing Viola, Cello, and Double Bass) of musical instruments. These string instruments (chordophones) were developed in Italy during the 16th century AD. The violin family is said to have descended from lira da braccio and the medieval Byzantine lira. The violin may also be referred to as a fiddle. However, fiddle is used for country, folk, and bluegrass music, whereas the violin is used for classical music.
The violin's top (also called belly, table, or top plate) is the soundboard, made of spruce. The violin also consists of maple ribs and back, a neck, bridge, soundpost, 4 strings, 2 end locks, and, sometimes, a chinrest. The chinrest could be secured precisely above or to the left side of the tailpiece. The hourglass-like shape of the violin provides it with a distinct feature that enables anyone to differentiate it from other string instruments. There are two upper bouts, two lower bouts, and two concave C-bouts in the violin's shape. The violin's shape, the wood it is carved from, its thickness, and varnish impacts the violin's sound. Due to the varnish and the wood improvements over the years, the old, skilfully built violins are in high demand.
The animal hide glue is significantly used to keep all the joints together. Compared to other glues, the hide glue keeps the joints thinner. Also, it is easily reversible if it is necessary to disassemble the violin. As such, animal hide glue is preferred over regular white glue. Additionally, more original wood can be preserved as fresh hide glue sticks on the old hide glue.
Initially, cat’s gut or sheep's gut were used to make the violin's strings. In the early 20th century, the strings were made of steel or gut, elongated, dried, and twisted. Now, the manufacturers use solid steel, stranded steel, gut, or synthetic materials, such as perlon, and wound them with various metals to make the violin's strings. The strings are sometimes plated with silver. However, most E strings remain unwound. Also, gut strings are not as prevalent as in their early years.
The violin requires a bow to play it. A bow is made up of a stick, and it has a ribbon on horsehair that is strung from the tip to the frog. Typically, the violin bow is approximately 30 inches long (75 centimeters), weighing 60 grams (2.1 oz.). The viola bows are usually 0.20 inches shorter and 10 grams heavier than the regular bows. The horsehair can be loosened or tightened at the frog end of the bow by using the screw adjuster. The grip is in front of the frog, which is a leather thumb cushion. The winding also shields the stick and allows the violin player to get a stronger grip.