24
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 4:
Line 4: − + − + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Significant article upgrade
An orchestra will typically contain two violin sections - a First and Second. Today the First Violins are usually situated at the front of the orchestra, immediately to the [[conductor]]'s left. The Second Violin section will be located adjacent to the Firsts. While there is no specific purpose for each section, the First Violin section will generally be given the [[melody]] in a musical work, and will generally play in a higher [[octave]] than the Seconds. The Seconds will either double the melody in a lower register, [[harmony|harmonize]] the melody, or contribute an effect to layer the orchestral sound.
An orchestra will typically contain two violin sections - a First and Second. Today the First Violins are usually situated at the front of the orchestra, immediately to the [[conductor]]'s left. The Second Violin section will be located adjacent to the Firsts. While there is no specific purpose for each section, the First Violin section will generally be given the [[melody]] in a musical work, and will generally play in a higher [[octave]] than the Seconds. The Seconds will either double the melody in a lower register, [[harmony|harmonize]] the melody, or contribute an effect to layer the orchestral sound.
The instrument developed in the mid 1500s in Italy. The most famous makers of violins include G.P. Maggini (1580-1632), the Amati family of Cremona, the Guarneri del Gesù family of Venice, Jacob Stainer of the Austrian Tyrol and, above all, Antonio Stradivari. The violins by those makers are very highly regarded and still used by the greatest players. Almost all new violins are made to follow the patterns of these old masters, although some adaptations have been made to support the metal strings and higher pitches of modern performance.
==History==
Famous violinists include Niccolò Paganini, Joseph Joachim, Jascha Heifetz, Sir Yehudi Menuhin, Itzhak Perlman, Isaac Stern, Joshua Bell, Nigel Kennedy and Igor Oistrakh.
The instrument developed in its current form the mid 1500s in Italy. Before the mid-fifteenth century, violins typically had three strings and had been used is in China, India, and the Middle East. The first four string violin was made by [[Andrea Amati]]. The most famous makers of violins include G.P. Maggini (1580-1632), the Amati family of Cremona (1500-1740), the Guarneri del Gesù family of Venice (1626-1744), Jacob Stainer of the Austrian Tyrol and, above all, Antonio Stradivari. The violins by those makers are very highly regarded and still used by the greatest players. Almost all new violins are made to follow the patterns of these old masters, although some adaptations have been made to support the metal strings and higher pitches of modern performance, most significantly lengthening the neck of the violin.
Famous violinists include Niccolò Paganini, Joseph Joachim, Jascha Heifetz, Sir Yehudi Menuhin, Itzhak Perlman, Isaac Stern, Joshua Bell, Nigel Kennedy, Hilary Hahn, and Igor Oistrakh.
The violin is also used in folk and popular music and is traditionally called a [[fiddle]]. It is just as valid a name as "violin"; in fact both words have a common origin: both derived from the Latin ''vitula,'' by separate paths.<ref>[http://www.cello.org/Newsletter/Articles/celloetymology.htm The Etymology of the Words Violin and Cello]</ref> Because it is often used to accompany dance, it gained the nickname 'the devil's instrument'. In fact, the violin has always been used for both sacred and secular music. It has spread throughout the world and everywhere it goes it is adapted to the local musical styles.
The violin is also used in folk and popular music and is traditionally called a [[fiddle]]. It is just as valid a name as "violin"; in fact both words have a common origin: both derived from the Latin ''vitula,'' by separate paths.<ref>[http://www.cello.org/Newsletter/Articles/celloetymology.htm The Etymology of the Words Violin and Cello]</ref> Because it is often used to accompany dance, it gained the nickname 'the devil's instrument'. In fact, the violin has always been used for both sacred and secular music. It has spread throughout the world and everywhere it goes it is adapted to the local musical styles.
==Strings==
Before the widespread use of synthetic materials, violins used strings made of a fibrous material called ''catgut''. Catgut is derived from the intestines of sheep - not cats, as implied by the name. In modern times, most violinists prefer metal strings, typically a nickel core wrapped with an alloy to prevent corrosion and to achieve a desired tension; it's also not uncommon for a violinist to use a gold-plated or gold-cored E-string to provide a richer tone in the highest registers of the instrument. A small group of violinists, particularly those involved with recreating and reviving traditional [[Baroque]] sounds, will opt to play with the older catgut strings. While it is regarded as the smallest of the string family, there are even smaller versions intended for instruction for children.
Before the widespread use of synthetic materials, violins used strings made of a fibrous material called ''catgut''. Catgut is derived from the intestines of sheep - not cats, as implied by the name. In modern times, most violinists prefer metal strings, typically a nickel core wrapped with an alloy to prevent corrosion and to achieve a desired tension; it's also not uncommon for a violinist to use a gold-plated or gold-cored E-string to provide a richer tone in the highest registers of the instrument. A small group of violinists, particularly those involved with recreating and reviving traditional [[Baroque]] sounds, will opt to play with the older catgut strings. While it is regarded as the smallest of the string family, there are even smaller versions intended for instruction for children.
==Playing the Violin==
The standard violin is played holding the instrument under the chin and drawing the bow across the strings with the right hand. The left hand manipulates the fingerboard, producing different notes. Some notable techniques for the violin include:
'''Vibrato'''
Vibrato is a technique were the violinist creates a pulsing rhthym with the left hand. By moving the parts of the left hand and arm the pitch of the note varies slightly. Vibrato is often added to violin parts for different effects. Earlier music, most notably in the [[Baroque]] period, used very little vibrato, while most modern music uses vibrato extensively.
'''Double Stops'''
A double stop involves playing two strings simultaneously, producing notes of a [[chord]]. Three and four strings may also be played, producing triple and quadruple stops, respectively.
'''Harmonics'''
Harmonics are produced by lightly touching a harmonic node with the left finger. This creates a higher pitch sound than would normally be produced on the string. Harmonics are found at even intervals along the string; the second harmonic is at the halfway point on the string, the third harmonic is at 1/3rd intervals, and so on.
==Bowing Techniques==
In addition to playing techniques achieved mostly with the left hand, there exist several different bowing techniques that can be achieved with the right, bowing hand.
'''Pizzicato'''
[[Pizzicato]] refers to plucking an open string with the right hand, rather than drawing the bow across the string. This is often marked in music by the word ''pizz''. Some string instruments, such as the [[harp]] are played exclusively by pizzicato.
'''Spiccato'''
Spiccato is a bowing technique where the bow is bounced lightly on the string. The bow is held above the string, and the resulting bouncing produces short, distinct notes. Spiccato is often used in fast passages so individual notes can be heard distinctly.
==Notable works for violin==
==Notable works for violin==