The Violins Rich History

The violin is an evolution of bowed stringed instruments that began more than ten centuries ago. However, we saw the first actual violin about 500 years ago in Italy. At the time, a sophisticated school of music existed in the city of Bresicia in which students were able to learn all about musical instruments of that time. 

This is where many music instrument ideas came from including that of the first violin.

The specific date of the first violin is unknown since there have not been any official documents found stating the factual information, although artwork and references to such a stringed instrument have placed the first appearance to be approximately 1530 AD. There were 3 main instruments from which the violins design was obtained. These include: the Viola da Braccio, the Rebec and the Lira da Braccio.

The goal of the original violin is believed to be the creation of an instrument that could be used by musicians on the streets to be able to produce similar acoustic abilities of that of the lute. The Medici family is who has been accredited to have released the first edition of such an instrument.

One of the most well known of all ancient violin makers is Antonio Stradivari. He is credited in creating around eleven hundred musical instruments throughout his lifetime. There are currently about six hundred left today of which approximately 90% are violins.

The All of Europe seemed to appreciate the violin as it quickly became very popular among musicians. Similar to the evolution of the guitar, the violin has remained very similar to that of the original. Original versions are very popular among collectors and avid musicians.

Some improvements have been made to the instrument in the past decades which made it what we all know today. These changes include an alteration to the design which works similar to the horn design in other instruments to amplify the sound emitted from the violin. This new design is known as the Stroh violin.

The most modern version would be the electric violin in which the electric guitar idea was utilized to create a new version which used electrical amplification and sound alteration. The results is a version of the violin that could play classic sounds as well as a variety of synthesized sounds which are used in a large variety of different styles of modern music today.

Modern Day Musical Geniuses

When somebody asks you to name three modern day musicians, who comes to mind? Eric Clapton or Jimi Hendrix? Or perhaps Lady Gaga is more your style, or would it be Madonna? Everyone has a difference of opinion as to what they would call a modern day musical genius.

Are they considered genius because of the show and tell they put on while performing? Or are they considered genius because they can play a wide range of instruments? Is it their ability to compose and put words to music?

Once a studio musician, Reb Beach was hired by the band Winger because of his talent on the guitar. He moves with such an amazing speed up and down the fret and still putting out a tune that is just as amazing. He is a modern day musical genius because of his technical ability. This is one reason why so many other artists such as Alice Cooper, Night Ranger and Whitesnake have hired him.

Let's not forget about Prince. He hit the music scene in the 80s and has just kept on going. Not only is this man a talent on stage with a guitar and vocals, but he has proven to have acting ability as well. Some may say he's not so much a modern musical genius, but when you can still draw a full stadium concert 30 years later, you're pretty genius in any true music lover's book.

Rick Rubin may not be a common name, but this man has a genius about him that has to be respected. He can go from producing the sounds of Johnny Cash to Slayer, one right after the other, and never miss a beat. 

His label has served the music world good in many genres from the Black Crowes to the Dixie Chicks and worked in the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Neil Diamond too. Perhaps the true definition of a modern musical genius is a producer that knows a good sound, no matter the genre, and makes the artist famous.

While looking at the backside of a record label and the fame that comes with it, we can't leave out Björk. A singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer from Iceland that had probably the best debuts in 1993's with a dance-pop classic that was dizzying and maybe a bit disturbing too. While many consider this modern day genius a freak of sorts, she is a good way freaky.

Saxophone for Beginners

As one of the most common and versatile instruments, the saxophone is relatively easy to learn. Although originally intended for military and marching bands, the saxophone has evolved and become a major instrument in many genres of music including classical, jazz and big band, pop, rock, contemporary and theater. Here, you’ll learn about the basics of the saxophone.

What’s a Saxophone?

The single-reed saxophone, invented in the 1840’s, is considered both a brass and a woodwind instrument. It is typically made of brass, but it has the many fingerings and fast action as a woodwind instrument. It’s most related to the clarinet.

There are four types of saxophones available – soprano, alto, tenor and baritone (bari for short). The soprano is the smallest and highest pitched of the saxophones, while the bari is the largest and deepest pitched. It’s the alto saxophone that is used for beginning players. A child can start playing the saxophone around ages 9-10, or when their hands are large enough to wrap around and hold the instrument.

The saxophone is held to the right side of the body with the left hand on the upper keys and the right hand on the lower keys. Most people find it helpful to hold the saxophone by using a neck strap attached to instrument.

Parts of a Saxophone

The main parts of a saxophone are the mouthpiece (including the reed and ligature), neck, keys and body and the bell.

Mouthpiece and ligature: The most important is the mouthpiece and ligature. There are many brands and sizes of mouthpieces. It’s vital to try some of them out to find a good fit for your mouth while having a great sound. Although a “free” mouthpiece generally comes with the saxophone, it may not be a good one. One mouthpiece and ligature set can be used on any saxophone. So find what’s right for you!

Reeds: There are many types of reeds available. Reeds are made of different strengths (#1-#5) – #1 being the softest and #5 being the hardest. Generally, a beginning student will want a reed strength of #2.

Common problems for beginning students

There are a few problems that beginning students run into when learning to play the saxophone.

Posture: It’s important to sit with a straight back and not slouch over while holding the instrument. The neck strap can be tightened to help with this. You can tell if the musical instrument is in the right position if you can place the mouthpiece into your mouth without moving your head.

Fingering: Fingers should be curved and not straight while pressing on the keys. They should also be held close to the instrument so only the tips of the fingers are used.

Breathing: Breath should be taken from the diaphragm and not the chest. This will allow good support for in-tune playing. Also, take quick breaths from the sides of your mouth without removing your teeth from the mouthpiece.

The versatile saxophone is loads of fun to play. So do your research, find the right instrument and mouthpiece `and start playing!

A Closer Look at Viola and Violin

For someone who is no expert about string instruments, it is easy to conclude that primarily, all of them are the same in a lot of ways and telling them apart is pointless. Best example for this is the viola and violin because both are originally made in Italy and they make use of bows, which is the main and most basic tool in producing music. In comparison, viola and violin have more differences that are easily overlooked by a lot of people.

As one listens, it is easy to tell the difference because violas produce a deeper and mellower sound because of its thick strings while the violin has a higher pitch. Violin is a perfect accompaniment for melody in a repertoire composed in Treble Clef while viola’s music is more in Alto or in C clef. But the major difference of the two is their size where the viola follows a standard size and it is much bigger than the violin. In terms of their bows, a violins bow is longer.

It is interesting to know that the sound from a viola should not come close to any sounds in the orchestra. Thus, viola has a different process in tuning than that of the violin because the sound it produced must be one-fifth lower than the violin or it can depend on the musician’s sound preference. Viola’s sound goes about to three and a half octaves which is the same sound produced by the highest notes in piano and harmonics.

Viola and violin may be different in a lot of cases, but the beautiful music they produce is both made by their bows and by nimble fingers plucking the strings. Although, in handling both instruments, one needs to be capable as both require learning the proper techniques to create music. Viola, with its big size, should be handled with ease and comfort while for the one playing the violin should master positioning it on the left side of the face.

Violins exhibited its prowess during the Baroque period and slowly paved its way as a favorite instrument among modern artists nowadays, especially those in the genre of indie, pop and jazz. But, the viola was the ideal instrument for orchestral music to create harmony. Viola also served as an instrument for chamber music which has string quintets to play Baroque and classical music pieces

Long gone were the days of debate on music history as it has been established that it was the viola which came first prior to the violin in the 16^th century. Viola was the popular accompaniment among famous composers such as Bach and Beethoven in their Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 and Serenade in D major, respectively. 

What Instruments Are Used In Modern Classical Music?

A student of any type of music knows that the majority of musical instruments fall into one of the following six categories: Bowed Strings, Brass, Keyboard, Percussion, Woodwind and then the guitar family. The first four are what the modern symphony orchestra is based upon and has developed over many, many years.

In terms of a 'classical' instrument in the world of music, there isn't such a thing as a “classical instrument”. Musical instruments of any sort can be used in any genre of music. However, the instruments used in 20th century music and the instruments used in today's orchestra are much the same as the traditional ondes martenot, synthesizers and theremin.

The period instruments known as classical music instruments have been noted as being built as far back as 1864, and over the past 700 years or so, an array of instruments have evolved from those. Most of those instruments are still used today, although in different styles than originally designed. The instruments used in today’s orchestra have changed and developed from those that were first developed during the 16th century, yet the end result is the same … producing beautiful music to be enjoyed by all.

Archaeological digs have discovered early flute type instruments that appear to be thousands of years old and basic drums dated from the beginning of time for man. What we know as the flute today is from the early development that was most likely used by Bach in the 18th century. New instruments evolved around 1650, like the clarinet that didn't gain popularity until the late 18th century. The saxophone of today appears to have been developed around 1841, but it is believed that the tuba was first developed around 1835.

Modern orchestra or classical musical instruments include the clarinet, developed in the 1600s and the contrabassoon, a reed instrument often referred to as the bassoon's big brother. The trumpet, cymbals and the triangle round out the orchestra, each adding their own unique sound that is a part of what we enjoy in modern classical music today.

The instruments considered to be classical are as follows:

The woodwind instruments work by depressing keys and release the air blown through a reed on the mouth piece, by the player.

The brass instruments also work by blowing into them, however the player blows directly into the cup of a mouthpiece on the instrument and the wind vibrates the inner rim.

The percussion instruments resonate their sound when the player hits on it with either their hand or a stick.

The 'classical' acoustic guitar, Spanish-derived, is a six-stringed instrument and the guitarist will use either a pick or their fingers, strumming the strings with one hand holding the strings down on the frets to create different chords. 

Each of these instruments may be found in Country, Blues, Jazz, Pop, Rock and more.