Are a fiddle and a violin the same thing, and just played differently,or what?

Answer 1

Yes they are the same thing, its just that a violin is commonly referred to as a fiddle in southern states. Its just a country term.

Answer 2

Essentially, a violin and fiddle are the same instrument, the approach to the instrument differentiates its label as a fiddle or a violin. Some fiddlers will flatten their bridge so that they can play a double-stop with ease (this is when the fiddler plays two stings at once), so the set up can reveal whether the instrument is meant to be played as a violin or a fiddle.

For Irish, country, or folk tunes you'll use a fiddle, for classical tunes a violin.

Answer 3

A fiddle uses steel strings while a violin uses gut strings.
A fiddle has fine-tuners on all strings, while a violin only has one on the E-string
A fiddle is a cheap violin.
A fiddle is played on the arm, while a violin is held under the chin
Fiddle players don't read music like violinists.
A fiddle is played for country and folk music, while a violin is played for classical performances

Answer 4

A violin is a kind of fiddle, but not fiddles are violins. There are many ways of playing a fiddle. You can hold it like a cello (in front of you, like a rebab which is a two-stringed fiddle). Or, against your chest (like in some indigenous groups in Africa). Or like violinists do.

Answer 5

yeah they're the same thing. My violin was once used for a fiddle and now i use it as a violin.

Answer 6

yes, a violin is merely played under the chin, a fiddle is played lower more against your chest.

Answer 7

same instrument. if you use it to play classical music it's a violin, if you use it to play country music it's a fiddle.