The violin is the smallest in size of all the stringed instruments. This compact size also gives the violin the highest pitch of the string family of instruments, with the viola and cello both having a lower tone. Almost any musical style can be played on the violin, from classical to jazz to rock.

The first violin is believed to have been created in 1555 by Andrea Amati, but this date cannot be verified. What is known is that the violin become popular right away, especially among street musicians because of its light weight and small size. Turkish and Mongolian horsemen from Inner Asia are thought to have been the first fiddlers in the world's history. They used two-stringed fiddles with horsehair strings, but the fiddles were generally held upright instead of on the musician's shoulder. The modern-day violin has its origins in 16th century Italy. Several modifications were made in 18th century, leading to the variations we see today. A heavier bass bar was added and the neck angle was adjusted several times.

Most violins are constructed of some type of wood and are strung with either steel, gut, or synthetic strings. There are also electric violins that may not be made out of wood because the tone is not as vibrant. The top is generally made out of spruce, with maple being used for the ribs and back. The neck, end blocks, bridge, and four strings fill out the rest of the violin's parts. Additional modifications may be made to the instrument, including a chin rest that can be attached to the tailpiece for extra comfort while playing.

The violin has a definitely hourglass shape and an arched back and top. The shape of a violin determines its sound, along with the type of wood used in construction. from, the graduation (the thickness profile) of both the top and back, and the varnish which coats its outside surface. The varnish and especially the wood continue to improve with age, making the fixed supply of old violins much sought-after.

Maple wood is generally used for the neck, and sometimes the ribs and back. The best fingerboards are made from ebony, with other woods being used for lower-priced violins. Ebony works well for violin construction because it is extremely hard and durable, while still looking stylish. If other wood is used, it is usually painted or stained black to approximate the look of ebony. Fingerboards are designed with a certain level of curve, which is typically more obvious on the lower strings.

The bridge is also usually constructed out of maple and anchors the bottom of the strings to the body of the violin. The top curve holds the strings at the proper distance from the fingerboard so that each note can be struck separately and cleanly with the bow. The sound post fits into the violin between the back and top to support the treble foot of the bridge. This piece also transmits the vibrations between the top and the back of the violin.

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Originally posted 2008-11-25 05:56:08. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Acoustic Musical Instruments, Instrument History, Violin

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andrea amati, arched back, bass bar, chinrest, electric violins, fiddlers, fiddles, first violin, horsehair, hourglass shape, inner asia, maple wood, musical style, old violins, playing the violin, street musicians, string family, stringed instruments, synthetic strings, thickness profile