Violine

Violine, or violin in English, is a bowed string instrument in the violin family. It is usually held under the chin and supported by the left shoulder. It has four strings tuned in perfect fifths to G3, D4, A4, and E5, and its range runs roughly from G3 to E7. The sound is produced by the vibration of the strings, transmitted through a bridge to a hollow wooden body, yielding a bright, projecting tone suitable for melody and accompaniment.

Most violins are built from a spruce top, maple back and ribs, with carved archings and purfling. The neck bears an ebony fingerboard, a pegbox with tuning pegs, and a scroll. Inside, a soundpost and bass bar refine resonance. The strings are anchored to a tailpiece and tuned with pegs or fine tuners. A bow of horsehair, rosined by the player, is drawn across the strings to excite vibration.

Violin development began in 16th- and 17th-century northern Italy, with Cremona a major center. Makers such as Amati, Guarneri, and Stradivari advanced the instrument’s design and acoustics. By the 18th century, the violin became central to Western classical music, forming the core of orchestras and chamber ensembles and yielding a large solo repertoire.

Today the violin is a principal instrument in classical music, used in symphony orchestras, string quartets, and solo performances. It also appears in folk, jazz, and contemporary genres, and is produced in a range of sizes from 1/16 to 4/4 to accommodate players of different ages. Notable modern makers and players continue to influence technique, setup, and amplified applications.