Housle

Housle, in English the violin, is a bowed string instrument belonging to the violin family. It is played with a bow drawn across its strings or, less commonly, plucked (pizzicato). The instrument is held between the chin and shoulder and supported by the left hand, which changes pitch along the fingerboard. It typically has four strings tuned in fifths to G3, D4, A4, and E5. The usual range spans roughly from G3 to E7, with the upper registers produced by skilled players.

Construction and sound production: a violin’s body is usually carved from spruce for the top and maple for the back and ribs, with a carved scroll and a fitted ebony fingerboard. Inside are a sound post and bass bar that help project tone. The bridge transfers string vibrations to the top plate, where the resonance shapes timbre. The instrument’s bright, penetrating timbre makes it central in orchestras, chamber music, and solo repertoire, and it is widely used in folk and popular music as well.

History and use: the violin developed in 16th-century Italy and matured during the Baroque and Classical periods, becoming a cornerstone of Western art music. Instrument makers such as Stradivari and Guarneri contributed to its renowned tonal quality, while a vast lineage of performers has shaped its repertoire. In Czech usage, housle denotes the violin and it plays a prominent role in classical orchestras, folk ensembles, and contemporary genres, reflecting both traditional and modern musical practices. The instrument is commonly taught in music education and remains a standard orchestral voice worldwide.