The origin of bowed strings is unclear. According to K. Sachs, the bow was first mentioned in Persia and China in the 9th century, and fidels began to appear in Europe in the 10th century: one of the types of instrument, apparently from Byzantium, appears at this time in Spain. It was this type, usually pear-shaped and without a neck, with one to five strings, which became the main bowed instrument, which appeared under various names - fidel, viela or viola - in medieval Europe... The second type, long and narrow, called the rebek, probably of Arab origin, appeared in Europe in the 11th century. and was saved in different types about six centuries. By the end of the 16th century. two main families of stringed instruments were clearly distinguished: the viola and the violin. The main differences between them related to the design of the instrument: the viola had a flat bottom deck, sloping shoulders, letter-shaped resonator holes s(es), wide neck, frets on the fretboard and 6-7 thin strings, while the violins were characterized by a convex back, rounded shoulders, letter-shaped holes f (f-holes), narrow neck, no frets on the fretboard and 4 thick strings. Viols of all varieties were played with the knee or between the knees, as were the larger varieties of the violin family; other varieties of violins were held on the shoulder, later under the chin. In addition to the designation of the instrument itself, the term "violin" also referred to a family that included the viola, cello and some types of double bass.
The four strings of the violin are tuned in fifths: salt, re 1 , la 1 , mi 2. String saltentwined with a metal thread, string mi usually made of metal. Plucking the strings with your fingers is called pizzicato. Sometimes a small wooden device for muffling the sound, called a mute, is put on the strings, namely on the stand.
Unlike most modern tools, which were perfected only after a long development and experimentation, the violin entered its "golden age" at the beginning of its own career. The first violin makers worthy of note were Gasparo Bertolotti (or "da Salo") (c. 1542–1609) and Giovanni Paolo Magini (c. 1580–1632), both from Brescia in northern Italy. However, during their lifetime, the nearby Cremona began to gain fame as a world center for violin production. For more than a hundred years (c. 1575-1680), the Amati family played the main role in this process, especially Nicolo (1596-1684), who flattened the convex body of the old viola da braccio, narrowed its "waist", sharpened the corners, and improved the resonator holes and improved the lacquer finish. The most famous student of N. Amati was Antonio Stradivari (c. 1644-1737), more than 1100 instruments of which (over 600 of them are known today) are considered the pinnacle in the field of violin skill of all times. The third place in the great triumvirate of the Cremonians is occupied by the Guarneri families, especially Giuseppe del Gesu (1698–1744), who made instruments with a strong personality and strong sound. By 1750, the glorious period of violin makers was over, although Germany, France, England and other countries, as well as Italy, continued to make violins.
The modern violin differs from the ones made three hundred years ago, mainly in its more brilliant sonority, which it owes to thicker vein strings, an elongated neck and neck, and taller stands. The chin was invented around 1820 by the composer and violinist Ludwig Spur. Although many modern violins are mass-produced and intended for music schoolchildren and amateur musicians, and many others are fakes or copies of famous old instruments, some fine examples are made that bear comparison with those of Cremona.
Considered at first a young loud-voiced upstart (and in France - an instrument suitable only for dancing), the violin replaced the Renaissance viola only when, in the 18th century. the music from the living rooms moved to the concert halls and to the large opera stage. The sensitivity and expressiveness of sound, the endless variety of technical possibilities, from all kinds of bow playing techniques to plucking and percussion effects, the violin is an unsurpassed solo instrument - both for "singing" a simple melody and for virtuoso performance. For three centuries she has played a leading role in orchestral and chamber music. In the 16th and 17th centuries, in addition to the viola and the cello, several other varieties of the violin were known, which are now out of use. The small instrument, first mentioned in 1618, is used today as a three-quarter violin in teaching children.
The violin is one of the most common strings musical instruments... It has been popular since ancient times - since the 16th century. Violinists play solo on it, accompany in ensembles. The sounds of the violin can be found in many modern bands, as can be seen by listening to the compositions of the music portal weborama, which specializes in this subject. It is not for nothing that this instrument is called the queen of the orchestra.
The exact place and time of the origin of the violin could not be established. Many speculations have been made as to what stringed instruments were before the modern violin. It is assumed that the ancestors of the violin and viola were the rebab, company, fidel, which appeared in XIII-XV centuries... Viola originated before the violin. It was of various sizes. To perform any piece on viola, the musician had to stand. During the performance, the viola was kept on the knees, and later on the shoulders, which led to the emergence of the violin.
The violin solo was not initially played, because this instrument was known for the common people. It was used only in the circles of itinerant musicians in beer establishments.
A significant transformation of the violin took place in the 16th century, thanks to Italian craftsmen who made a musical instrument of an ideal form and from the best materials... The author of the first modern violin is Gasparo Bertolotti. Huge contribution members of the Amati family, who worked on the timbre of the instrument, contributed to the making of violins in Italy. They made it deep and voluminous. According to their idea, the violin should convey feelings and emotions, its sound should resemble a human voice. The idea was a success.
The violin has a wide range, beautiful sound. This allows composers to create works of different genres for violin. There are many masterpieces where the leading part belongs to the violin.
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The fine violin instrument belongs to the family of bowed instruments and dates back to the distant seventeenth century. Since that period of its birth, the violin has firmly taken the place of a solo instrument. It is used in different musical genres, both in the classics and in folklore and jazz. Scientists are still arguing among themselves which instrument served as the beginning of the creation of the violin. The musical story tells about bowed instruments that existed long before the advent of Christianity.
Part of the historical community is strictly convinced that the violin had its ancestors in the East, which was the rebab itself - this bowed instrument was very popular among the Arabs. During the Crusades, the rebab appeared in the European open spaces. It was the crusader musicians who brought him to Europe. Many scholars are not inclined to this version of the origin of the violin and prefer to believe that it originated from the newer fidel bowed instrument. And this version suits most scientists, because outwardly these two instruments are very similar to each other.
But in order to reach a consensus, scientists still continue to study the history of the emergence of such a musical instrument as the violin and who knows, they may be able to discover something new, prove one of the theories or refute them and propose a new version.
In appearance, the violin is very similar to the viola, which also became one of the versions of the emergence of this musical instrument. Some historians have tried to prove a direct connection between the violin and the viola de gamba, but due to many differences, this version did not take root. Another version is the kinship of the violin with the handmade lyre. This assumption arose in connection with the study of the paintings of the artist Raphael, who painted a picture in 1503, where, among other things, a certain object of musical origin called a hand lyre was depicted, this instrument is very similar to a violin, but the violin does not have five strings.
But all as one scientists are sure that the homeland of the violin is Italy and the name of the violin came from the Italian word "violin". The first memory of the violin was found in Italian writings in the early years of the seventeenth century. In the Russian Empire, however, they met her only at the beginning of the eighteenth century.
The history of violin music is full of many talented violinists who were distinguished by their ardor and virtuosity. The ranks of these musicians are headed by Amati, Stradivari, Guarneri, who were also originally from Italy. Them wonderful works they still give incredible pleasure to the listeners, and many modern musicians consider it an honor to perform such great works with musical orchestras and solo.
The sound that the violin gives is incredible and is filled with a huge number of experiences, emotions, it does not require words, it is a silent cry from the soul. Every performer and every composer tried to bring something new and unknown. This is how the frightening sounds of Paganini and the breathtaking works of Vivaldi appeared in the world. All this was given to our world by the violin.
Of course, everyone knows the violin. The most refined and refined violin among stringed instruments is a way of conveying the emotions of a skilled performer to the listener. Being somewhere gloomy, unrestrained and even rude, she remains tender and vulnerable, beautiful and sensual.
We have prepared for you some fascinating facts about this magical musical instrument. You will learn how a violin is arranged, how many strings it has, and what works are composed by composers for violin.
How does a violin work?
Its structure is simple: body, neck and strings. Tool accessories vary widely in their purpose and importance. For example, one should not overlook the bow, thanks to which the sound is extracted from the strings, or the chin and bridge, which allow the performer to arrange the instrument most comfortably on the left shoulder.
And there are also accessories like a typewriter, which allows the violinist to correct the tuning that has changed for any reason without losing time, in contrast to the use of string holders - pegs, which are much more difficult to work with.
The strings themselves are only four, always tuned to the same notes - Mi, A, Re and G. violins? From different materials - they can be veined, and silk and metal.
The first string on the right is tuned to an E of the second octave and is the thinnest of all strings shown. The second string together with the third "personify" the notes "A" and "D", respectively. They are medium, almost the same thickness. Both notes are in the first octave. The last, thickest and bassiest string is the fourth string, tuned to the G note of a small octave.
Each string has its own timbre - from shrill ("Mi") to thick ("Salt"). This allows the violinist to convey emotions so skillfully. Also, the sound depends on the bow - the cane itself and the hair pulled over it.
What violins are there?
The answer to this question can be confusing and varied, but we will answer quite simply: there are wooden violins most familiar to us - the so-called acoustic ones, and there are also electric violins. The latter are powered by electricity, and their sound is heard thanks to the so-called "column" with an amplifier - a combo. There is no doubt that these instruments are arranged in different ways, although they may look the same outwardly. The technique of playing an acoustic and electronic violin does not differ significantly, but you have to get used to an analog electronic instrument in its own way.
What works are written for violin?
The works are a separate subject for reflection, because the violin is great both as a soloist and in. Therefore, for violin, they write recitals, sonatas, partitas, caprices and pieces of other genres, as well as parts for all kinds of duets, quartets and other ensembles.
The violin can participate in almost all kinds of music. Most often at the moment, she is included in classics, folklore and rock. You can even hear the violin in children's cartoons and their Japanese adaptations - anime. All this only contributes to the increasing popularity of the instrument and only confirms that the violin will never disappear.
Famous violin makers
Also, don't forget about the violin masters. Perhaps the most famous is Antonio Stradivari. All of his tools are very expensive and have been valued in the past. The Stradivari violins are the most famous. During his lifetime, he made more than 1000 violins, but at the moment from 150 to 600 instruments have survived - information in various sources is sometimes striking in its diversity.
Other surnames associated with the skill of violin-making include the Amati family. Different generations of this large Italian family have perfected bowed musical instruments, including improving the structure of the violin, making it strong and expressive.
Famous violinists: who are they?
The violin was once folk instrument, but over time, the technique of playing it became complex and from the folk environment, individual virtuoso craftsmen began to stand out, who delighted the audience with their art. Since the time of the musical Renaissance, Italy has been famous for its violinists. It is enough to name just a few names - Vivaldi, Corelli, Tartini. Niccolo Paganini, whose name is shrouded in legends and secrets, also came from Italy.
Among violinists, who came from Russia, there are such great names as J. Kheifets, D. Oistrakh, L. Kogan. The modern listener knows the names of the current stars in this area of \u200b\u200bthe performing arts - for example, V. Spivakov and Vanessa-May.
It is believed that in order to start learning to play this instrument, you need to have at least good, strong nerves and patience that will help you overcome from five to seven years of study. Of course, such a thing cannot do without disruptions and failures, however, as a rule, even they are only beneficial. The study time will be hard, but the results are worth the pain.
The material on the violin cannot be left without music. Listen famous music Saint-Saens. You've probably heard it before, but do you know what this piece is?
C. Saint-Saens Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso
The first bowed instruments appeared, presumably, in India at the beginning of our era. From there they migrated to the Persians, Arabs and the peoples of North Africa, and later to Europe. The bow instruments were both very primitive and more complex. Over time, they began to go out of use, giving way to new bowed instruments - viols.
Violas were the forerunners of the violin. They were large and small and played on them different ways: squeezed during the game between the knees, put on a support, played standing or sitting, etc. Violas, which were played, holding them on the shoulder, and became the prototype of the violin.
Despite the external similarity of these two instruments, the differences between them are quite significant. On the neck of the viola, there are sills, and the neck of the violin is without them, the viola could have from five to seven strings, while the violin has only four. But the biggest difference lies in the sound of these instruments: the viola has a muffled and soft sound, it is not suitable for playing in large concert halls, while the violin, on the contrary, has a shrill, bright sound. It is for this that the violin fell in love with many peoples, becoming a national instrument in countries such as Romania, Hungary, Moldova, Belarus, etc.
The appearance of the first violin dates back to the late 15th - early 16th centuries. They were first made by violin makers, and later by violin makers. In Italy, in the city of Berschia, Gasparo Bertolotti, Giovanni Paolo Magini and their students lived and made violins. Their violins acquired approximately the same look as the modern, but really live violin sounding was achieved by the masters from the city of Cremona. The sound of their violins was similar to the intonation of human speech, which made the violin the most perfect musical instrument. The names of the Cremona masters have forever entered the history of the creation of musical instruments. These are Amati, Guarneri and Stradivari, whose creations are still admired by true connoisseurs of art.
The improvement of the violin aroused interest among musicians, who began to master this instrument and develop techniques and techniques for playing it. The most famous violin virtuosos were Nicolo Paganini, Arcangelo Corelli, Jean-Marie Leclair and Giuseppe Tartini.
The music of the violin was so emotional and close to the people that the viola eventually faded into the background, and later completely ceased to be used. So the violin has taken the dominant position among musical instruments to this day.
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