The Violin
About the Violin
The violin, sometimes known as a fiddle, is a wooden chordophone (string instrument) in the violin family. Most violins have a hollow wooden body. It is the smallest and thus highest-pitched instrument (soprano) in the family in regular use. The violin typically has four strings (some can have five), usually tuned in perfect fifths with notes G3, D4, A4, E5, and is most commonly played by drawing a bow across its strings. It can also be played by plucking the strings with the fingers (pizzicato) and, in specialized cases, by striking the strings with the wooden side of the bow (col legno).
Learn more about the ViolinWhy You Should Learn to Play the Violin
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Violins Are Versatile Instruments
The violin is a major component in many great western classical music. Many recognizable pieces from composers like Bach and Beethoven were written for the violin. While your violin lessons may start with basic classical music, you aren’t limited to that!
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Work Out Your Muscles and Learn Coordination
Did you know that playing the violin burns 170 calories per hour? Learning the violin is a great workout, especially for those tiny muscles in your hands. Most beginners struggle with pressing different strings at the same time and holding the bow correctly.
However, as you continue to play the violin, you build fine motor skills and finger dexterity. Playing the violin can also help with symptoms of arthritis. Learning fast notes and moving across the fingerboard will help you regain strength in your hand muscles. -
Stimulate Your Brain
Learning an instrument is a great way to stimulate the brain. It can improve various brain functions, like speech, reading comprehension, and language processing. Reading music and playing notes will also teach you better hand-eye coordination.