Article Categories
» Arts & Entertainment
» Automotive
» Business
» Careers & Jobs
» Education & Reference
» Finance
» Food & Drink
» Health & Fitness
» Home & Family
» Internet & Online Businesses
» Miscellaneous
» Self Improvement
» Shopping
» Society & News
» Sports & Recreation
» Technology
» Travel & Leisure
» Writing & Speaking

  Listed Article

  Category: Articles » Shopping » Article
 

An Introduction to the Violin




By Richard Romando

Violins are among the most versatile musical instruments, evidenced by their use in many different musical genres. Some types of music that commonly feature violins are classical music, pop, bluegrass, country, and jazz.

A violin is the smallest of the stringed instruments. Other stringed instruments include the viola and the cello. It has four strings, tuned, from low to high, G D A E, each note being a perfect fifth of the one below it. A violin looks like a hollow wooden box with a long neck protruding from one end. The body of the violin is usually made of a couple of different types of wood. The top of the violin, also called the belly, is customarily made of spruce, which is a strong type of softwood. The sides and back are made of maple, which is harder and more durable than spruce. Ebony is most commonly used for the fingerboard, but sometimes ivory is used. Some less expensive models have other types of wood that are merely painted to look like ebony. Traditionally, violin strings were made of gut, but they are usually made of metal now.

The violin is played by pressing the strings against the fingerboard with the left hand while rubbing a bow across the strings with the right hand. The bow is a long wooden rod with stands of horsehair tied to each end. A violin bow looks similar to a bow used to shoot arrows, but is much smaller. Violinists usually play one note on one string at a time, but they can play chords by holding down and bowing more than one string at once. Some pieces of music require the violinist to pluck the strings with the fingers of the right hand rather than bow them, producing a short, staccato sound.

Violins have been in use for many centuries and are still common is contemporary music. The sounds produced by a violin can compliment many other musical instruments and enrich a piece of music.
 
 
About the Author
Violins Info provides detailed information about antique and electric violins, violin music, sheet music, strings, and shops; violin makers and repair; and explanations of how to play the violin and a short history of the violin. Violins Info is affiliated with Business Plans by Growthink.

Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/8461.html
 
If you wish to add the above article to your website or newsletters then please include the "Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/8461.html" as shown above and make it hyperlinked.



  Some other articles by Richard Romando
A Guide to Violin Strings
The type of strings used on a violin has a great effect on the sound of the instrument. Different kinds ...

How to Play the Violin
Learning how to play the violin can be a difficult but rewarding experience. Playing the violin takes a large amount of knowledge and skill. Violinists must know how to hold the ...

A Closer Look at Violin Sheet Music
Nearly all violinists are well versed in reading sheet music. There are literally thousands, if not millions of musical pieces for violinists to play. Violin sheet music is available for a wide range ...

A Look at the Electric Violin
An electric violin is an amplified violin that sends out a signal through an electrical pickup device. There are several different models of ...

  
  Recent Articles
Choosing Birthday Party Supplies
by Jeff B

Commercial carpet is a must for your commercial area
by Stephen Robins

Shopping for Men's Jewelry Online
by Liz Harrison

Is Carpet Cleaning Service a Good Choice?
by Ashley Daniels

Shop for TV Products Without the Advertisements
by Kim Thompson

Citizen Watches
by Zai Zhu

How To Save Money On Party Supplies!
by Zach Parker

Mobile phone Shop: define your mobile phone shopgping options
by Henry Kruz

Ideas for Valentine Gifts..
by fancy jameson

Last Minute Gifts for the One You Love
by Chris Robertson

Mobile Phone Deals: Choose Wisely, Talk More!
by anastasia

Introduction to Plasma Tv technology
by John Rivers

Common Misconceptions About Plasma TVs need to be serviced
by Soma

Shopping for Promotional Products…the Right Way
by John Hanksworth

Can't connect to database