Baritone Fiddle

Subject: RE: Baritone Fiddle
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 09:13 PM

Sorcha is probably more accurate in her definitions than I, as I'm really speaking relatively about the relationships of the three traditional members of the violin family.  Baritone violin tends to mean two quite different things nowadays; there's the instrument tuned an octave below normal violin that I mentioned:

Another Voice: The Baritone Violin

and a cello-tuned instrument with a larger body:

Baritone Violin

Further details of the latter, and of a whole set of "extra" violins, may be found here:

The Violin Octet

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Baritone Fiddle
From: Sorcha
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 05:22 PM

Stand up bass/walking bass/double bass is the Bass of the viol family, and the only True Viol. There is not a Single Bass. Soozie, look for a vielle, viola d'bras (or some other spelling of the French "arm"), the low end of the viola is awfully close to baritone. I love the voice, so mellow and sweet, but have trouble playing in the right key--the one I learned the tune in on the violin and the one the rest of the band plays said tune in.....I can play a 5th below no problem, but that changes the key!!

Subject: RE: Baritone Fiddle
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 05:10 PM

Dang, maybe I've found MY instrument!

I always wanted to try cello. Our choir directress just got one, and I am angling for a lesson. But the baritone fiddle... ooo, I wish Hardi would pay one of those!

~S~

Subject: RE: Baritone Fiddle
From: Sorcha
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 04:53 PM

Cello is baritone, tuned an octave below the viola. A,D,G,,C,, No, sissie, you don't play it under the chin.....it's a between the legs deal, so Hardi should get it right off! (sneaky grin)

Subject: RE: Baritone Fiddle
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 04:49 PM

There isn't a traditional baritone violin, the 'cello being the bass.  Baritones are made nowadays, the most popular form having a body around viola size (or smaller), strung with specially made strings so that the instrument plays an octave below violin.  I know people who have adapted violas or large-bodied violins, but you do tend to get a better sound from a purpose-built instrument.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Baritone Fiddle
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 04:44 PM

So is the baritone the cello? How do you hold THAT up with just your neck muscles? And what arm stretching exercises do you do?

I'm thinking of getting one for Hardi.

~S~

Subject: RE: Baritone Fiddle
From: Sorcha
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 03:44 PM

Nope. A viola is an Alto viol, tuned ADG,C, a fifth lower than a violin.

Subject: Baritone Fiddle
From: Wincing Devil
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 03:01 PM

I take it that a Baritone fiddle is a Viola, tuned GDAE an octave lower than a "regular fiddle"?