Violin

About the Sound and Character

The timbre of the violin is the most flexible and emotional among European instruments. It can be crystal clear, gentle, and weeping, or aggressive, virtuosic, and dramatic. In richness of color, it closely approximates the expressiveness of the human voice.

Structure and Features

An elegant wooden body (spruce top, maple back). Hidden inside is a small wooden post—the “soundpost”—that transmits vibrations and shapes the soul of the sound. Four strings (G, D, A, E) are stretched across an unfretted fingerboard. It is played with a horsehair bow.

Genres

• Symphonic classical and chamber music
• Celtic and Slavic folklore (fiddle)
• Jazz, crossover, and soundtracks