Why don't violinists smash their violins after a concert as some rock musicians smash their guitars on stage?

Question

Would this be a good way to attract some attention for the violinists and perhaps make a few violin legends in the process? As a violinist, I know that we are often overlooked for rock music or such.

Many rock musicians are legends for simply smashing their guitars on the stage after concerts and such...

Answer 1

considering that some concert violinists play instruments worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, versus a thousand or so for a guitar, I don't think I would smash mine.

Have you priced a Stradivarius lately?

Answer 2

You know it would attract a lot of attention if violinists did this but i don't think they were meant to smash their violins and honestly i don't think it would look as cool if they smashed the violins because well they are a lot smaller than guitars. So i suggest that you do not do that unless you want to if you feel like smashing after a concert then go for it, lol. And you know you should start a band that has rock and a violin and you could play the violin I'm sure it would be a sweet band if there was a violin let the violin be the legend not the smashing of it. Well have fun! : ) : ) : )

Answer 3

All these answers are WRONG! The reason that violinists do not smash their violins after a concert is that it is way too easy to smash a violin. An electric guitar is solid wood, and it takes some effort to smash it. But any 97 pound weakling can smash a violin to pieces with one hand. So who would have any respect for a person who smashed a violin? People would just laugh at the violinist for being so stupid.

It's like this: when they used to make beer cans out of steel or tin, you could get some respect by crushing the can with one hand. But now that they are aluminum, no one can possibly be impressed with you for crushing it.

Answer 4

Firstly because violins are expensive- some of the better models of violin, and older ones cost anyway up to £100,000.
Also is the personality difference- many violinists are shy, quiet or very 'professional'- they are true performers.They also tend to be from the upper classes where such behavior simply doesn't happen.
Guitarists are different- many guitarists are angry-type personalities, typically aggressive or loud in some way.
There is also the difference between rock performances and classical violin performances- one is quiet and usually reserved for audiences with a lot of money, the other attracts teenagers and younger adults. It simply wouldn't work.
But it would make classical music a bit more lively!

Answer 5

The violin is a very lightweight instrument, it wouldn't shatter as impressively as a guitar in a rock concert. So you'll better start taking doble bass or tuba lessons. I could imagine a particular effect when after the symphony has finished the tubaist in the last row starts smashing his instrument. It is likely to appear in the local news.

If you decide to continue playing the violin, there are other opportunities of making classical music more attractive. You can burn it within the third movement (keep in mind to use an asbestos bow), or make it explode with some nifty fireworks coming out of the f holes. If you really want to call attention for classical music you may throw your violin in the audience before it explodes.

Answer 6

A really good violin can cost ten of thousands of dollars, and violinists need a good violin to produce the right tone and sound. Guitars are less expensive and with all of the energy at concerts, most people forget about the quality of the sound that comes out of a rocker's guitar. Also, most people view violinists as people who are calm, cultured, and refined.

Answer 7

I agree with you that it would help raise the average violinist's status as being more 'rebellious'. However, a) Most guitarists get paid alot more than violinists and can afford to replace their 'equipment' regularly. b) Violinists would have to consider they might alienate potential audiences for example nice posh gatherings are not really partial to rowdy goings ons. I guess if violinists really want to raise their profile maybe they could look at sustaining really high pitched notes so they burst ear drums (maybe losing out on potential record sales). Or they could do really fast moving musical notes that cause the violin to spontaneously combust? These and other thoughts I will leave you with, my friend. Good luck!

Answer 8

Since you asked,I have to answer. My violin is a 1913 Johann Glass made in Leipzig. Unreplaceable. My oldest guitar is a 25 yr old Tele.If my technique on either doesn't generate some polite applause, destroying the instrument or mooning the audience can't compensate for a few more hours of parctice.

Answer 9

It's the type of the music u r playing that causes this difference. Since either rock or metal are very energetic, vivacious and riotous music types, it's quite acceptable for the players to add a little more violation at the end of the concert, having not achieved to express their aggression enough. Do you know Apocalyptica? despite the instruments they play are violoncellos because they play metal, their attitudes on the stage are as any other metal music performers. I wouldnt be surprised to see them smash their instruments by the end of their concerts..So the key is the music that u play, not the instrument..or what u do with it.

Answer 10

It's not a tradition. In rock music it's something they do it because, as the music, it's an act of rebellion. Whereas classical music isn't in itself a way of rebelling. Plus, I don't think rock stars or at least the ones who destroy their guitars appreciate their instruments as much as violinists do. But, would you be willing to do it? Maybe you can start something and you will atract attention for sure.