Violon

The violon is the French name for the violin, a bowed string instrument and a central member of the violin family. It is one of the best-known Western musical instruments and is used in classical orchestras, chamber music, solo performances, as well as many folk and popular genres. It is typically played with a bow, though it can also be plucked as pizzicato.

The instrument typically features a carved wooden body, a spruce top, and a maple back, with f-holes, a neck, and a scroll. It has four strings tuned in fifths to G-D-A-E. Modern violins usually include a chin rest; the scale length varies by maker but commonly lies around 32.8 to 35.5 cm. The instrument relies on a sound post and bass bar inside the body to shape its tone.

The violon originated in 16th-century northern Italy, with the earliest modern designs developed in Cremona. Luthiers such as Andrea Amati, Antonio Stradivari, and Giuseppе Guarneri refined the instrument in the 17th and 18th centuries, leading to the modern form and setup used today. It evolved from earlier bowed instruments in the viola da gamba family and became the dominant violin-family instrument in Western classical music.

Playing technique and repertoire: the violon is held on the shoulder with the chin resting on a chin rest. Sound is produced by drawing the bow across the strings, while the left hand fingers control pitch and articulation. The instrument's repertoire includes concertos, sonatas, symphonic parts, and chamber music; it is also widely used in folk, jazz, and world music contexts, where it is often referred to as a fiddle.

Notable makers and influence: Cremona luthiers such as Amati, Stradivari, and Guarneri are renowned for high-quality violons, whose instruments remain highly sought after. Modern violins are produced by specialized luthiers and factories, and require regular maintenance, including string changes and occasional setup adjustments.