Violin vs Fiddle. A Discussion.

Subject: RE: Violin vs Fiddle. A Discussion.
From: MudGuard
Date: 19 Jan 00 - 09:12 AM

In Germany we have an instrument called a Fiedel (I think it derives its name from the same source as fiddle) which is more like a viola da gamba, i.e. it is placed between your feet (like a violoncello, but it has no "foot").
A violin (derived from italian violina) is called Geige in German

Please, all Italians excuse my bad italian, but I learned the following things:
violina in Italian means small viola,
viola da braccia (spelling) is the bigger version.
braccia meaning arm,
gamba means leg
violona (as in violon-cello) means big viola
cello means ??? (I don't know)

I hope I did not confuse you completely
MudGuard

Subject: RE: Violin vs Fiddle. A Discussion.
From: T in Oklahoma (Okiemockbird)
Date: 19 Jan 00 - 07:35 AM

In the middle ages the "fiddle" at the word's broadest meaning referred to a several different instruments. The bowed type, called in French the "vielle", was the preferred instrument of the troubladours and trouveres. One type had a square body, a rouded pegboard, and five or so strings which (so far as is known) were not tuned in fifths. The violin was invented in the late 1400s, and for a while was just one more species of fiddle. In the end though, it swept almost all other fiddle types before it in the field European-derived art music, though other shapes are still sometimes made. So if a small bowed instrument has four strings, a scrolled pegboard, and f-shaped sound holes, you can call it a violin or a fiddle. If the sound holes or pegbox have some other shape or if the instruments has other than four strings, it's no longer a violin but may still be a fiddle.

T.

Subject: RE: Violin vs Fiddle. A Discussion.
From: Julie
Date: 19 Jan 00 - 07:33 AM

When my daughter goes to Orchestra - its a violin when's she's playing folk music with the fiddle society its a fiddle - sometimes if we're running from one event to another it changes magically in the back of the car or on the bus.

She does say when her classical violin teacher plays folk music he doesn't play loosely enough so its not right

Subject: Violin vs Fiddle. A Discussion.
From: The Shambles
Date: 19 Jan 00 - 06:10 AM

I have great respect for all players of this instrument, whatever it is called and I like the sound of it whatever style is being played, for it truly must be THE versatile instrument?

It is probably, also the most physically uncomfortable to play?

Is it also the only instrument to have different names dependent on the style in which it is played and how did this convention come to be held? For it is a device, which has its practical uses but I think one that is not without a certain element of snobbery? Should it be changed and the instrument have one name, if so which one would be preferable?

For I think that I do still detect a general view that the classically trained violin player is superior to the many other forms of fiddle playing? A view, I do not necessarily share, having seen how far the fiddle can be taken in the hands of those who have come close to mastering the instrument. When the distinction between the two terms, fiddle player and violinist, becomes very blurred.