Dear Mel,
Hey there Mister Odius, my name’s Clem and next to me here is my twin sister Antoinette. We both want to play music. I surely do pine for a fine violin to play in the symphony. But Antoinette, she swoons for a country fiddle. We can’t seem to find a music store that sells both violins and fiddles, which leaves us sorely confused. So what’s the difference between a fiddle and a violin? And how do we choose a good one of each to suit our different tastes in music? Please help!
Signed, Clem and Antoinette
Dear Clemato,
Hmmmm. I wish you’d included photos of yourselves. “Sorely confused” doesn’t begin to describe my thoughts as I read your letter. But we’ll leave the topic of cognitive dissonance for a later discussion....
As a renowned music expert, I get asked this question all the time, “Fiddle...violin...what’s up with that?” Or the slightly more nuanced, “How is a violin different from a fiddle?” So over the years, I’ve combed the literature for the best answer and come up with the following insights:
A fiddle is a violin with attitude.
A violin sings, a fiddle dances.
A fiddle plays music people dance to. A violin plays music people fall asleep to.
When you buy one, it’s a fiddle; when you sell one, it’s a violin.
The difference? About $5,000.
In reality, they are two names for the same instrument.
There may be some minor differences in how the instrument is set up. Violinists typically use synthetic or gut strings, while many (though not all) fiddlers prefer steel strings. To more easily tune steel strings, fiddlers typically use fine tuners on the tailpiece for every string. Most violinists, in contrast, use a fine tuner only on the E string. Also, some fiddlers flatten the top of bridge to make it easier to play two strings at the same time. Then again, some people say that the difference is all in the nut holding the bow....
Seriously, there are exceptions to all of the generalizations above, and the main difference is simply what type of music you play. And this can influence what sort of fiddle or violin you buy. In general, many fiddlers prefer a warmer or darker tone, while violinists tend to be drawn to brighter instruments. Some fiddlers are less picky about tone because they play dance music and just want a fiddle that cuts through and can be heard by dancers in noisy situations. That said, some violinists put up with an edgy or almost harsh tone in their ear because they want a violin that projects well to the back of a concert hall.
So how do you choose a fiddle/violin, the one that will make you happy?
If you’re just starting out and haven’t played before, a good option is to rent one and take lessons. Piccolo’s Music rents violins locally (no out-of-area rentals) for a small fee. And your rental fees can later be applied to buying the instrument.
If you want to buy a fiddle outright, then set aside an hour or two so you can play all the instruments in your price range. Every violin is unique and individual, even those made by the same luthier, so it’s worth your while to try each one. Play on every string, from the lowest note to the highest note you know how to hit on pitch. Listen to every note and to the overall sound. Is the tone pleasant or scratchy or muffled? Is it loud or quiet? Do the strings respond to a light touch, or do you have to lean into the bow to get much sound? Also pay attention to how the neck feels--does it fit easily in your hand, or is it too thick or too skinny?
Given all the variables, you can see why it’s not such a good idea to bid on that bargain fiddle on ebay.
One important point to bear in mind--some old violins may not look as pretty as new ones. The old ones may have scratches, scuffs, blotches, and other blemishes. But don’t dismiss an instrument--or favor one--on looks alone. Some old fiddles show their wear and tear, but it’s because they’re great instruments and have been well played over the years. Some new violins are beautiful, but may sound “tight” or muffly, and are just waiting to be played so their wood can open up and their tone can develop to its full potential.
So come on down to Piccolo’s Music and try one of the fiddles or violins in our string room or give us a call. All of our violins feature select solid tonewoods and a professional set up. Besides a range of older instruments, we also offer new Kremona violins expertly made in Bulgaria and Paesold and Eastman violins for remarkable quality at a reasonable price.
Signed, Mel
(P.S. A Hobson's choice is one in which you have no choice at all, as in "You can have any color Model T you'd like, as long as it's black.")
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