What is the origin of the violin?

January 27, 2008 at 07:04 PM · Rick,

It seems from what I've read that violins didn't spring into existence but evolved from other, similar instruments. And those stringed/bowed instruments go back very far. Instruments looking very much like the violin appear in early renaissance paintings. If I remember correctly, the earliest surviving example of a modern-type violin is an Amati from 1562. I'm sure others can add a lot more information.

Scott

January 27, 2008 at 07:17 PM · agree with scott that violin might have evolved from other instruments from my reading here and there:) one source speculated that the origin might have come from middle east...

it was 3 stringed at one time...

here is a link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viol

January 27, 2008 at 07:20 PM · Read the Amadeus Book of the Violin by Walter Kolneder. A bit pricey, ($50). but it is sure worth it! Has the construction, history of the violin as known from pre-medieval times, and a HUGE section on pedagogy.

January 27, 2008 at 07:54 PM · Well, there was Nero in AD64. -)

Or did he play a lute?

James

January 27, 2008 at 08:36 PM · I researched this a bit in the last two years...

Mainly, bowed string instruments come from the Middle East. I believe there is evidence of other string instruments from other areas of the world, but early string instruments can date back as early as 3,000 BCE (like the harp/lyre).

From there it went East/West, having unique manifestations in a variety of cultures.

It is believed 10th century Islamic and Byzantine cultures are where the earliest bowing practices were developed, and through Spain's Islamic population, spread to other parts of Europe.

In a book by Sheila Nelson (The Violin and Viola, 2003), she relates certain instruments as keys to the development of the parts of the violin:

*Bridge - Hurdy-gurdy ( http://www.hotpipes.com/hgdemo.html)

*Tuning Pegs - variety of medieval instruments

*Sound Post - Crwth/Chrotta (bowed lyre from Wales) ( http://www.michaeljking.com/crwth.htm )

*Tuning System of P5's/Angled Peg Box/Overhand bow hold - rebec (three-stringed cousin of the violin)(making it distinct from the underhanded viol bow holds...also viols have different shapes in the make of the back of the instrument)

http://www.trombamarina.com/unprofitable/rebec/rebec.htm

*Body Characteristics - Renaissance fiddle/Lira de Braccio (Lyre played on the arm)

http://www-atdp.berkeley.edu/2030/jmoriuchi/violin-origins.html

Also, the first official use of violino is in a document from 1534...dealing with a peace conference that the pope attended in Nice, France.

Sheila Nelson's book was really helpful and informative for me when doing my research ( a lot of this chapter of my research paper used her book as a source frequently)

Hope that answers some questions!

from there it went east and west...being adapted by Asian and Western cultures alike. There were many types of stringed instruments like the violin (viols, kits, etc.)...

the violin as we know it has its birthplace in Northern Italy...sixteenth century. I think it's the Madonna of The Orange Trees painting that first depicts a "modern" type of the violin. I also did a paper on the kithera and the lyre in Ancient Greek Mythology, which was pretty interesting to explore!