Violin    Back

    Primitive bowed instruments of many types exist around the world and some are still widely used, but the modern Violin first appeared in Italy in the early 16th century. Well known early fiddle makers include Guarneri, Amati and Stradivari. The modern classical violin has a longer neck and fingerboard, and a greater neck angle than the original baroque design, in order to provide more volume. Many early violins were modified in the early 1800s to match the requirements of the new design, and can be identified by the grafting on of a new neck.

    The violin top and back are carved out from solid wood. The top is spruce and the back, sides and neck are generally from sycamore. The bass bar is an integral and tonally important part of the top. The sound post is fitted about 1/4" behind the treble foot of the bridge and connects the front and back of the instrument acoustically in a way that shapes the sound considerably. The edges of the body are almost always inlaid with a band of purfling. Copies and originals of the Italian maker Maggini will have two separate purflings.

    The four fiddle strings are E, A, D, G from the top string. They are tuned in fifths. This makes the fiddle suitable for Irish music because most traditional tunes can be played in the first position, so there isn’t a need to move your left hand to reach notes, just your fingers. An electronic tuner is very useful for the beginner, and fine tuners on each string certainly make tuning easier.

     Il existe de part le monde toutes sortes d’instruments bombés de façon grossière et certains sont encore largement utilisés, mais le violon moderne est apparu en Italie au début du XVIème siècle. Au nombre des premiers facteurs célèbres, comptons Guarneri, Armati, Stradivari. Afin d’apporter plus de volume, le nouveau violon classique a un cou et une touche plus longs, ainsi qu’un plus grand angle de cou que le modèle baroque d’origine. Les premiers violons furent souvent modifiés au début du XIXème siècle pour répondre aux exigences de la nouvelle conception et peuvent être identifiés par les traces de greffe d’un nouveau cou.

    Le haut et le dos du violon sont taillés dans du bois massif. Le haut est en épicea et le dos, les côtés et le cou sont généralement en érable.La barre de basse fait partie intégrante du haut  ce qui est important pour la tonalité. L’âme est placée environ à 6mm derrière le triple pied du pont et relie acoustiquement l’avant et l’arrière de l’instrument de façon à mieux façonner le son. Les bords de la partie principale sont presque toujours incrustés d’une bande de purfling. Les originaux ainsi que les copies du facteur italien Maggini en ont deux distinctes.

    Les quatre cordes d’un violon sont : MI, LA, RE, SOL, en commençant par le haut. Elles sont accordées en quinte. Ce qui fait du violon un instrument tout à fait adapté à la musique irlandaise en ce que la plupart des airs traditionnels peuvent être joués dans la première position, il n’est donc pas besoin de bouger la main gauche pour atteindre les notes, les doigts suffisent. Un accordeur électrique sera très utile aux débutants et un accordeur précis sur chaque corde facilite beaucoup les choses.

Violin Parts	Traditional  Instruments		Modern digital
Front and back detail	Yamaha Silent electric violin		Bridge/Tuner details
			Note: bridge angled back from the bottom string, tapered bridge top and fine tuners on each string.

    When holding the fiddle it is important to keep your wrist straight. You must twist your left arm so that you are able to place your elbow against your ribs in front of you. This will help to keep the fiddle in an upright position. Now place the fiddle on the front of your shoulder and your chin on the chinrest. You should also twist your wrist, rather than bending it, so that your arm looks straight. This position is a little bit uncomfortable in the beginning but you should persevere because it allows for more dexterity later on.

    The fingers should then be placed on the fingerboard touching the strings only with the tips. Don’t place your thumb too high: the fiddle should rest on the thumb somewhere before the first joint. Be sure to press the string all the way down when producing a note. In fiddle playing the index finger is the ’first finger’ and the little finger is the ’fourth finger’.

    The bow should be held mainly between the first finger and the thumb, possibly in the first groove of the first finger. The second and third fingers should also rest on the bow; the little finger would be used to balance the bow as the lower end comes into use.

    It is often helpful to divide the bow into three sections, the lower third, the middle third and the upper third. Some players may only use one of these sections; some will use the whole bow. Try to be aware of the three sections when you are playing: it is difficult to stay within one section at the initial stages but you should try to use the middle section as your starting and finishing points at least. If you are not getting a strong sound, press a little harder on the bow with your index finger.