Concepts and Classifications of Musical Instruments, Research Paper Example

Research Proposal

This research paper will be introduced by discussing what the violin is and how it is made, both when the instrument was created and in modern times. It will also follow the history of how the instrument was created, which will include a discussion of the instruments that came before it, triggering its evolution. There will also be mention of other string instruments and how the violin is either similar or different to them in addition information concerning how the violin is played.

The violin is well known for its use in classical music, and many operas and concertos highlight this instrument in order to convey the story to their audience. In addition, people continue to love the sound of it today, and it is used in a lot of modern music, including hip hop and electronic dance music. The violin is impressive because it is able to hit a wide range of musical notes and this is why it can be used is many different types of music. Therefore, the ways that the violin is constructed that contributes to its ability to be used in this manner will be discussed as well.

Even though the violin is difficult to learn and even more difficult to master, it is a very beautiful sounding instrument that helps contribute to the dramatic elements of music. It is important for music enthusiasts to be able to recognize when it was used, because it will help them gain a greater understanding of the music they love.

What is the violin?

The violin is a string instrument that is typically made of wood. It is also known as a fiddle and has four strings, which are tuned in perfect fifths. Individuals that play this instrument are referred to as violinists or fiddlers. Since the instrument is stringed, it can be played by plucking individual strings in a rhythmic fashion or by striking the strings with a bow to make different sounds. While we typically think of the violin as being used in classical music pieces, it has become popular in modern hip hop, rap, and electronic dance music, which is in part due to the range of sounds it is able to make (Kartomi 1).

How was the violin created?

The important structural components of the violin are called the body, neck, bridge, and soundpost. It is also comprised of four strings in addition to fittings, which include the tuning pegs, tailpiece and tailgut, end pin, and a chin rest. The body of the violin is comprised of two arched plates that are attached to the ribs using animal hide glue. The inside of the violin is mostly hollow, which allows the sound that is produced by vibrating the strings to vibrate throughout the whole instrument.

How does the violin compare to other string instruments?

The violin is the smallest of the string instruments and therefore has the highest pitch. Other string instruments that are closely related to the violin are the viola, cello, and double bass. These instruments are constructed similarly, and appear to have the same shape. The major difference between these instruments is their size. As the size of the string instruments increases, their pitch becomes deeper, meaning that the double bass has the lowest sounding sound of all of the string instruments.

How is the violin played?

The most commonly accepted way of holding the violin is with the left side of the jaw resting on the chinrest of the violin, supported by the left shoulder. There is occasionally a shoulder rest and chin rest in the appropriate positions to make both holding and playing the instrument comfortable, as some professional musicians are required to play for long periods of time, often without the opportunity for a break. It is important for the violinist to use his or her jaw and shoulder to hold the violin firmly enough to allow it to remain stable when the left hand goes from a high position to a low one. The strings can be sounded by drawing the hair of the bow held by the right hand across them or by plucking the most often with the right hand. The right arm, hand, and bow are responsible for tone quality, rhythm, dynamics, articulation, and most changes in timbre.

How is the violin used in a variety of music genres?

The violin has been an integral part of music since its use during the Baroque era, in which chamber music was popular (Panum 434). During this time period, music was played by small groups of musicians in private households. The violin was particularly important in the style of music that was played because the high pitch and quality of the instrument makes it desirable to play the melody of most songs. Classical music followed the example of Baroque because even though musical groups became larger and performed for larger groups of people, the violin remained a prominent instrument for the melody line.

Even though one typically thinks of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance when they think of the widespread use of the violin, it is important to consider that many modern artists make use of the instrument as well. One well-known artist today is Lindsey Sterling, who has innovated the use of the violin by incorporating her skills into dubstep music. Furthermore, many rock bands, such as Yellowcard, have utilized orchestral instruments such as the violin to serve as support for their guitar line. The extent that the violin has reached doesn’t just stop there; a violin line can be heard in swing, jazz, folk, and international music, among others.

How else can the violin be used?

While the violin is best known for serving as the melody line in some music and providing musical support in others, the violin is also used theatrically to create sound effects. These typically use the knowledge of a combination of notes, volume changes, and the instant stopping of sound waves to create an effect. In this manner, the violin can be used to create sounds that seem happy, depressed, or even frightening. Individuals who are aware of the various techniques that can be used to play the violin can use this understanding to produce these effects. For example, a vibrato can be used to produce a more pleasant sound and may be used to produce a happy sounding sound effect. A technique called col lengno involves striking the bow against the strings, which can be used to create an eerie noise.

Conclusion

The violin is loved for its ability to produce a variety of sounds and noises that can either contribute to songs or to theater. It has the ability to produce both high notes and low notes, and can be played by sliding the bow, striking the bow, or plucking the strings. Therefore, artists who make use of the violin in their music have many aspects of the instrument to consider before they can best understand how it can contribute to the effects that they wish to create in their music. It is also important to consider that since there is much that one can do with the violin to make music, it is a very difficult instrument to master.

The violin can also be appreciated for its great history. When we think of classical music, we typically think of the violin because this is one of the prominent sounds we hear due to both the number of violins and the prominence of the instrument in the melody line. Since the violin is capable of so much, modern artists have found a way to incorporate this instrument into their music in a manner that supports the instruments that are more commonly used today. Even though we don’t expect the violin to appear in some of our favorite songs, if we listen carefully, it is likely that we will hear it in the background. While the violin has evolved from being a forefront instrument to one used in the background, its importance is still clear. It continues to provide us with accents that help us enjoy songs, even though we need to listen closely to identify the sound as coming from the violin. It is likely that it will continue to be used in music for a long time.

Works Cited

Kartomi MJ. On Concepts and Classifications of Musical Instruments. Chicago Studies in  Ethnomusicology, University of Chicago Press, 1990.

Panum, Hortense. The stringed instruments of the Middle Ages, their evolution and development. London: William Reeves, 1939.