Violin

The violin is the smallest and highest pitched stringed instrument used in western orchestras. It has four strings, pitched G-D-A-E (from lowest to highest), which is an arrangement of the Circle of Fifths. The 'A' is pitched to Concert A at 440 Hz. Typically, a bow is drawn across the strings to produce a sound on the instrument (arco), and a wide variety of bowing techniques can provide unique sounds, such as the bouncing spicatto or the broad legato. The strings may also be plucked, similar to a mandolin or guitar (pizzicatto), but only by the flesh of the finger (not with the aid of a plectrum).

An orchestra will typically contain two violin sections - a First and Second. In North America, the First Violins are situated at the front of the orchestra, immediately to the conductor's left. The Second Violin section will be located adjacent to the Firsts. While there is no specific purpose for each section, the First Violin section will generally be given the melody in a musical work, and will generally play in a higher octave than the Seconds. The Seconds will either double the melody in a lower register, harmonize the melody, or contribute an effect to layer the orchestral sound.

The instrument developed in the mid 1500s, in what is now called Italy. The most famous makers of violins include G.P. Maggini (1580-1632), the Amati family of Cremona, the Guarnari family of Venice, Antonio Stradivari, and Jacob Stainer of the Austrian Tyrol. Almost all new violins are made to follow the patterns of these old masters, although some adaptations have been made to support the metal strings and higher pitches of modern performance. Famous violinists include Nicolo Paganini, Joseph Joachim, Jascha Heifetz, Sir Yehudi Menuhin, Itzhak Perlman, Isaac Stern, Joshua Bell, and Nigel Kennedy.

The violin is also used in folk and popular music and is traditionally called a fiddle. It is just as valid a name as "violin;" in fact both words have a common origin: both derived from the Latin vitula, by separate paths. Because it is often used to accompany dance, it gained the nickname 'the devil's instrument'. In fact, the violin has always been used for both sacred and secular music. It has spread throughout the world and everywhere it goes it is adapted to the local musical styles.

Before the widespread use of synthetic materials, violins used strings made of a fibrous material called catgut. Catgut is derived from the intestines of sheep - not cats, as implied by the name. In modern times, most violinists prefer metal strings, typically a nickel core wrapped with an alloy to prevent corrosion and to achieve a desired tension; it's also not uncommon for a violinist to use a gold-plated or gold-cored E-string to provide a richer tone in the highest registers of the instrument. A small group of violinists, particularly those involved with recreating and reviving traditional Baroque sounds, will opt to play with the older catgut strings.