Violin

The violin is a bowed stringed musical instrument that has four strings tuned a perfect fifth apart. It is the smallest and highest-tuned member of the violin family of string instruments, which also includes the viola and cello. (A related bowed string instrument, the double bass, technically belongs to the similar but distinct viol family.)

A violin is sometimes informally called a fiddle, no matter what kind of music is played on it. The words "violin" and "fiddle" come from the same Middle Latin word vitula, but "violin" came through the Romance languages, meaning small viola, and "fiddle" through Germanic languages.

The violin is a very important part of South Indian classical music (Carnatic music). It is believed to have been introduced to the South Indian tradition by Baluswamy Dikshitar. Though primarily used as an accompaniment instrument, the violin has become popular as a solo instrument in the contemporary Indian music scene. The icon of Indian violin is Dr. L. Subramaniam, who has popularised Carnatic music all over the world. Other solo violinists include T. N. Krishnan, Kunnakudi Vaidhyanathan, and Lalgudi Jayaraman.

The violin is also a principal instrument for South Indian film music. Film composers Ilayaraaja and A. R. Rahman have used the violin very effectively in this genre. V. S. Narasimhan is among the undisputed violin wizards in the South Indian film industry, with many hits in the film world.

Playing the violin:

The standard way of holding the violin is under the chin and supported by the left shoulder, often assisted by a shoulder rest. This practice varies in some cultures; for instance, Indian (Carnatic and Hindustani) violinists play seated on the floor and rest the scroll of the instrument on the side of their foot. The strings may be sounded by drawing the hair of the bow across them (arco) or, alternatively, by plucking them (pizzicato). The left hand regulates the sounding length of the string by stopping it against the fingerboard with the fingertips, producing different pitches.