Strings · Violin family
Violin
The highest instrument of the string family and the backbone of the orchestra, usually divided into first and second violins.
- Section
- Strings
- Family
- Violin family
- Classification
- Chordophone · bowed
- Transposition
- None (concert pitch)
- Clefs
- Treble
- Sounding range
- G3 – A7
- Open strings
- G3 D4 A4 E5
Parts of the violin
Front and side view. Photo: Just plain Bill, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Labels added by Musicians Tools.
Range
Orchestral parts rarely go far above A6; the top of the range is mostly solo territory. Playback uses a neutral tone, not the instrument's own sound.
Writing for the violin
- Double stops are easiest on adjacent strings, especially when one note is an open string.
- Very high notes sound thin in tutti passages; orchestral parts rarely go far above A6.
- Techniques: arco, pizzicato, tremolo, sul ponticello, sul tasto, col legno, natural and artificial harmonics, mute (con sordino).
- Slurs show which notes share one bow. Loud, heavy notes need more bow, so give them room.
History
The violin family emerged in northern Italy in the early 16th century. Andrea Amati in Cremona built some of the earliest surviving instruments, and the Stradivari and Guarneri families brought the design to its peak around 1700. The modern violin has a longer neck, a higher bridge and steel or synthetic strings.
Listen
Key works featuring the violin. Each link opens a YouTube search, so you can pick the recording you like.
- Bach – Chaconne from Partita No. 2, BWV 1004
- Beethoven – Violin Concerto in D, Op. 61
- Paganini – Caprice No. 24
- Mendelssohn – Violin Concerto in E minor