Violin vs. Fiddle: same instrument or not?
Monday, February 22, 2010 10:16 PM
Posted by: Shupe
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This is the age old question that I get asked
time and time again. My uncle used to say that the difference between a
violin and a fiddle is that you carry a violin in a case and a fiddle in a
gunny sack. There is also old folklore that says the devil lives in the
fiddle.
Aside from these funny
factoids, there are a few factors in Answering thus question.
Technically, as far as the actual instrument is concerned, there is no
difference between a violin and a fiddle. Although, there are exceptions
to every rule.
I have heard of some old fiddlers that would
file down the top of the bridge so that they could play, I'm guessing, 3
strings at the same time easier.... Because you can already play 2 strings easy
enough with a regular bridge.
Also, I have seen other fiddle variations.
One of then being a Norwegian fiddle that had sympathetic strings that
you couldn't bow but would vibrate when the other strings were played.
This would create a real ethereal sound.
The real difference between a violin and fiddle
is simply style. Classical music is played on a "violin".
Everything else is played on a "fiddle"... Celtic, old time,
bluegrass, country, cajun, etc...
The question is akin to asking Willie Nelson if he plays a different instrument than a classical guitar player. Same nylon string guitar, different style.
