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Violin

A violin and bow in its case

The violin is a string instrument which is played with a bow. It has four strings.[1] The strings are usually tuned to the notes G, D, A, and E.[2] It is held between the left collar bone (near the shoulder) and the chin. Different notes are made by fingering with the left hand while bowing with the right. It has no frets or other markers. Players have to learn the exact place to put the fingers of the left hand and memorise them. Students learning to play a violin may put dots or stickers on the fingerboard to help them learn how to play.

The violin is the smallest and highest pitched string instrument.[3] A person who plays the violin is called a violinist. A person who makes or repairs violins is called a luthier.

The violin is important in European and Arabian music. No other instrument has played such an important part in Europe. The modern violin is about 400 years old. Similar string instruments have been around for almost 1000 years. By the time the modern orchestra started in the 17th century, the violin was fully developed. It became the most important orchestral instrument. Nearly every composer wrote for the violin. It is used as a solo instrument, in chamber music, in orchestral music and in jazz. It is also used in folk music.

The violin is sometimes called a “fiddle”. Someone who plays it is a “fiddler”. There is even a verb, “to fiddle”, which means “to play the fiddle”. This word can be used as a nickname for the violin. It is properly used when talking about folk music.