is a fiddle and a violin the same?

Question

cause i want to buy my daughter a fiddle but alot of people say a violin is the same as a fiddle. so are they the same thing and you just play them differently?

Answer 1

Actually, the bridge of a fiddle is flatter than that of a violin so it's easier to play on more than one string at once for proper fiddle tunes. Violins have bridges with higher arches so it's easier not to catch more than one string at a time. On a fiddle the strings are as close to the fingerboard as possible, and are usually made of steel for a quicker sound, but it's harder to use vibrato on them.

They're also played differently as fiddles are more suited to traditional fiddle tunes and often two or more strings are played at once.

Hope this helps :)

Answer 2

Is A Fiddle A Violin

Answer 3

Basically they are the same a fiddle is used mostly for bluegrass, country, folk music and the bridge may be more flat that that of a violin whose bridge is more arched for cleaner single noting. Also, the strings on a violin are preferably synthetic whereas a fiddle can use synthetic or steel core. Playing wise, the fiddle is used for musical interpretation, improvisation and individual interpretation and does not always follow a written form. The Violin can be used to express the users interpretation and adhere to a composers interpretation.

Answer 4

They are the same instrument, the difference is in how they are played. A violinist is usually classically trained and will play according to a piece of music and hold the instrument in a particular way. A fiddler can improvise according to mood and will have a more relaxed stance. Some fiddlers like to alter their instrument by flattening the bridge, but you are definately looking for a violin.

There is a saying that the difference between a fiddle and a violin is that a violin sings, and a fiddle dances!

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
is a fiddle and a violin the same?
cause i want to buy my daughter a fiddle but alot of people say a violin is the same as a fiddle. so are they the same thing and you just play them differently?

Answer 6

a fiddle and the violin are basically the same instrument.The difference is the way they are played, tuned and the style of music played on them. My violin teacher used to get upset if i wanted to learn fiddle tunes. That was not uppety enough for a music major , majoring in violin.

Answer 7

A fiddle and a violin are the same instument. The difference in nomenclature lies primarily in the type of music being played.
Classical players play violin, bluegrass and country players play fiddle. In addition, violin players usually play seated (except when soloing) and use very specific technique. Bluegrass players play standing, and they may hold their instruments in all different styles (although some, like Allison Krauss, seem to stick to a formal classical style).
Gatherings of "Oldtime" players of the instrument are called fiddle festivals, and bluegrass songs which feature them are called fiddle tunes.
Remember that old Charlie Daniels tune where the boy met a challenge from the devil when he sang,

"Well my name is Johnny and I'm a fiddle player too,
and I'll bet my soul for a fiddle of gold, I can play much better than you..." "Violin player" wouldn't have worked.
Good luck to your daughter on her new instrument.

P.S Thanks to Lottie. I stand corrected. I didn't realize there was such a difference in the bridge of a fiddle, or the string dfferences either.
I learned something.

Answer 8

They are the same instrument. The playing part is just in the style that you play in. I'd have her take traditional violin lessons first, and then look into the "fiddling" style that originated in the Appalachian Mountains.

Answer 9

older people usually call it a fiddle, it's the same, there are different types of violins though. musiciansfriend.com

Answer 10

What Is A Fiddle