Violin Information - an introduction to the violin



For those new to the violin, let's start with some introductory violin information to get aquainted with the instrument.

The violin is a real family instrument - it has two bigger siblings, the viola and violincello. The violincello is the friendly sort and is happy to just be called 'cello. There is a fourth instrument with pretentions to be part of the family, the double bass. Strictly speaking it isn't a family member, but the four instruments get on well together just the same.


The violin is the soprano member of the family, having the highest pitched strings - think 'little sister' with 'big sister' and 'bigger brother'. The violin is by far the more popular instrument and has perhaps the greatest musical repertoir of any instrument. I guess in this case little sis got all the good looks!

The four strings of the violin, G, D, A and E are tuned in intervals of a 5th and give the instrument a range of around 4 octaves from G3 (that's the G below middle C) to A7

In western culture, Violins form a major part of an orchestra, divided into two groups, the 'first' and 'second' violins. The first chair in the first violin section is known as the concertmaster.

In the chamber music scene, you will commonly find the violin in an ensemble consisting of 2 violins, 1 viola and 1 cello. (kind of a close family get-together)

Although orginating in western culture, use of the violin has spread into many cultures throughout the world.

To the uninitiated, the violin may look fairly simple, but looks can be deceiving - this little sister is one sophisticated lady. I sat down to count the number of parts the instrument is made up from and got a number ranging from 50 to around 80 depending on what you want to call a 'part'. You may appreciate then why it takes a luthier in the order of a month full time to make a violin!

Continue the violin information tour...

Violin Parts Guide.

Given the complexity of the instrument, it is useful to get a overview of the parts of the violin. Take a tour of the parts of the violin here..

Who invented the violin?

If you ever wondered who invented the violin or wanted to find out a little about the history of violins wonder no more. Click here and get an overview - kind of like a 'meet the parents' :-).

Violin Size Guide

Find out about the different violin sizes available and what size suits what age.

Violin Pictures and Photos

Yes, I realize you probably have some idea what the instrument looks like, but what the heck, here you can browse my library of violin related photos. Who knows what new violin information might find lurking there!

Looking for violin information you couldn't find here? Drop me a message on the contact form and I'll see what I can dredge up for you