That large instrument that looks like a violin could actually be several things. The violin family has 4 primary members, of which the violin is the smallest, the viola the next smallest, the cello larger than that and the double bass the largest. The viola is the most similar to the violin, since they are both played on the shoulder. It is larger than the violin, but not … [Read more...] about Big Violin-Like Instrument (What Is It And How Does It Compare?)
Violin Tips
Tips on playing the violin, caring for your violin and much more.
Violin Or Viola: Which Should I Play?
It's not an easy choice. The violin and the viola are very similar. But there are a few key differences. Thanks to those differences, they both have unique advantages for players who choose them. The key to deciding on either the violin or the viola is figuring out which instrument's advantages are more important to you. And which one's disadvantages are easier to … [Read more...] about Violin Or Viola: Which Should I Play?
Japanese Violin-Like Instrument: What Is It Exactly?
It's played like a violin, but looks totally different. And it sounds totally different, too. You may have seen this unusual stringed instrument, that is played with a bow, in a Japanese movie and wondered what it was. Well, if it was indeed a Japanese movie, it was most likely a kokyu. But if the movie was Chinese or set in China, the instrument was probably an … [Read more...] about Japanese Violin-Like Instrument: What Is It Exactly?
What Is The Difference Between A Violin And A Fiddle?
What is the difference between fiddles and violins? You don't spill beer on a violin! Ok, so that's an old (and somewhat lame) joke. And that was actually a trick question. The violin is the smallest and highest pitched instrument in the chordophone family. It has four strings which require a bow to play. The bow is usually made of a collective of strands of … [Read more...] about What Is The Difference Between A Violin And A Fiddle?
What Is The Difference Between A Violin And A Viola?
Don't know the difference between a violin and a viola? You're not alone. Most people can't tell the difference. Even many musicians can't tell the two apart, if they are not players of stringed instruments. And there is a good reason for that. These two instruments are very similar and are often confused. That said, while they are closely related, they each have … [Read more...] about What Is The Difference Between A Violin And A Viola?
How To Rehair A Violin Bow (Easy DIY Guide To Save You Money)
It's a pain, but it has to be done. If you own a violin, the time will come when you need to rehair your violin bow. Like changing a string, this can seem like a daunting task. These bows are delicate and if you accidentally damage them, they can be costly to replace. For that reason, many violinists opt to pay someone to rehair their bow. It's easier and safer. If … [Read more...] about How To Rehair A Violin Bow (Easy DIY Guide To Save You Money)
How To Clean A Violin Without Causing Damage
Your violin is going to start sounding worse and worse. But don't worry: that does not mean it is slowly deteriorating to the point where you need to buy a new one. It simply means you need to clean your violin. If it is not maintained properly, the sound quality starts to go downhill. It also becomes more and more at risk for permanent damage. To avoid this and … [Read more...] about How To Clean A Violin Without Causing Damage
How To Do Vibrato On Violin (Learn To Play Both Types)
You've got the fundamentals down. You've been learning to play the violin and have progressed beyond the beginning stages as a violinist It's time to learn some more advanced techniques. One advanced technique that isn't too hard to learn is vibrato. Doing vibrato on a violin is not simple, but anyone can master it with a bit of practice. You can easily pull it … [Read more...] about How To Do Vibrato On Violin (Learn To Play Both Types)