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The violin is a bowed instrument. It has four strings and is tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest and highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments. This family also includes the viola and cello.

Popular mainstream musicians who have used the violin include Linda Brava, Miri Ben-Ari, Nigel Kennedy, and Jean-Luc Ponty. The Beatles first used violins and full orchestration during their experimental psychedlic phase, paving the way for rock bands for years to come. Those who followed include the Who, Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), Camper Van Beethoven, the Dave Matthews Band, the Corrs, Yellowcard, the Arcade Fire, and Nickel Creek, to name a few. In the post-rock genre, groups like Sigur Rós, Zox, and Broken Social Scene have also employed the violin. Many musicians have made use of this ageless instrument to create some of history’s most beautiful and memorable music.

The word “violin” originated from the Romance languages. It comes from the Middle Latin word “vitula,” meaning “stringed instrument.” It is possible that this word may also be the source of the Germanic-rooted “fiddle.”

The first violin emerged in Italy in the early 16th century. It is likely that the first violin makers (known as luthiers) took their inspiration from the Renaissance fiddle, the rebec and the lira da braccio. Almost immediately, the violin became wildly popular. Both street musicians and the nobility played the instrument.

As testament to the popularity of the new instrument, in 1560, King Charles IX of France ordered Andrea Amati — the first known luthier to add four strings to the violin — to construct 24 violins for him. The Amati family is among a celebrated group of luthiers from the 16th to 18th century. This group also includes: The Guarneri family, the Stradivari family, the Gagliano family, Giovanni Battista Guadagnini of Piacenza, and Jacob Stainer.

People who play violin are called either violinists or fiddlers, no matter what style of music they play. Fiddling is a distinct style of violin music. Fiddlers have been essential to the development of folk music.

The violin has been used across time and many different genres of music. No matter how different they may sound, this timeless and elegant instrument unites them.

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|| Bluegrass Music || Blues Music || Bossa Nova Music || Classical Music ||
|| Dance Music || Fiddle Music || Funk Music || Gypsy Music || Irish / Celtic Music ||
|| Italian Music || Jazz Music || Jewish / Klezmer Music || Latin Music ||
|| Rock & Roll Music || Ska Music || Swing Music || Tango Music || Violin Music ||