Violin

Question 1

What was the violin previously called, who invented it, how long ago, how has this been questioned and by who?

Answer 1

• Fiddle
• Stradivarius
• 300 yrs ago
• Researchers say first bowed instrument was invented in India

Question 2

Who was the first Indian musician to play the violin for European music and what else did he do? What award did he gain and why?

Answer 2

• Balaswami Dikshitar
• Made of use of violin for Carnatic music
• Samsthana Vidwan of Ettayapuram
• For his dexterity in playing violin for Carnatic music

Question 3

What types of wood is the whole violin made of, how should they be maintained before they are made and what should they preferably have?

Answer 3

• Maple, sycamore, silver oak, cedar + spruce
• Kept in shade for many years
• Grains

Question 4

What is used to make finger-board, pegs, tail piece and top nut made of?

Answer 4

Ebony wood

Question 5

What are the strings made of?

Answer 5

Metal

Question 6

What is the bow made of?

Answer 6

Pernambuco/Brazil wood/Snake wood

Question 7

External parts of violin:

Answer 7

• Top part
• Bottom part
• 6 ribs
• f shaped sound holes on both sides of bridges on top part
• Bridge
• Tailpiece (4.5 in long)
• Gut of tailpiece
• Tailpiece saddle
• Button (End pin/plug)
• 4 strings, 11 string adjusters

Question 8

Neck

Answer 8

• Finger board
• Top nut
• 4 pegs (3 in long)
• Scroll

Question 9

Internal parts, where are they found and what do they do:

Answer 9

• Sound post (2.5 in long) –> Found on right side of bridge. Connects top + bottom parts.
• Bass bar (9 in long) –> Found below top part, to left of Bridge
• Head block –> Found inside body, near neck
• Corner blocks –> Found in corners where ribs are fixed
• Linings (12). Found at the corner up and down. Gives strength to ribs
• Tail block –> Found inside at bottom of violin where the ribs are joined

Question 10

Parts of bow and its overall length:

Answer 10

• Bow’s Head
• Ferrule
• Bow screw
• Bow hair
• Bow frog
• Mother of pearl piece

Question 11

Method of playing:

Answer 11

1) One must draw bow carefully over strings between Bridge and top of fingerboard
2) Vibrations spread through ribs + sound post to bottom of violin, causing whole instrument to vibrate
- Bow should be used from bottom to top + brought back slowly (held between thumb + index of RH)
- Gap between thumb and index of LH used to grasp neck, which is moved up when playing Thaara Sthayi swaras

Question 12

Where is the violin advised to be kept and covered with?

Answer 12

• Moderate weather conditions
• Covered w/ woollen cloth