Fiddlesticks--A Home For Violins, Fiddles, Violinists and Fiddlers

So you think you know violins? Here are ten questions about violins, violinists, fiddles and such that'll probably make you say "Ah Fiddlesticks!" How many will you get right?

1. You probably know that at one time violin strings (as well as viola, cello, and bass strings) were made of a substance called "catgut." What was the major ingredient in catgut?

2. Although many parents find it a bit of a fight to get their violinist to practice, playing the violin is usually a non-contact sport. But the name of at least one part of a violin might remind you of boxing. What might that (those) part(s) be?

3. You've heard that Stradivarius violins can be very expensive. You've heard how rare they are and how well they are made. How many violins did Stradivarius make?

4. Violinist Mark Wood calls himself the "first heavy metal violinist." He plays an innovative electric violin called a "Viper." What notes are the strings on Mark Wood's Viper Violin tuned to? (Hint...The Viper has more than 4 strings.)

5. Most violins are made of wood. How many kinds of wood are there in most violins, and what woods are violins usually made of?

6. Which character on the old television show Hogan's Heroes played the violin? Extra Credit Question: Which character on The Cosby Show played violin for one episode?

7. Many people associate wearing black clothing with singer Roy Orbison. Some call Johnny Cash, "the man in black." What famous violinist from the past was notable for wearing all black clothing?

8. Three men were involved with writing the Declaration of Independence which declared that the American colonies were independent from their British rulers. Which of the Declaration of Independence's authors was renowned for, among other things, playing the violin?

9. Where are the strings on a Hardanger Violin?

10. The organ is often referred to as the "King of Instruments." What royal nickname is bestowed upon the violin? (If you were paying attention, I've already given you the answer to this one!)

Although some will dispute this statement . . . there is no real difference between the violin and the fiddle. Anything that you can "fiddle," you can play on a standard violin. Admittedly some folks do fiddle on a viola, and you will find some fiddles which are actually violins to which a fifth string has been added, but the vast majority of "fiddles" are standard violins.

Often fiddlers will use strings that produce a "brighter" sound, to give their fiddle that twang that people traditionally associate with fiddle playing. But then you'll listen to a fiddler play a waltz and you toss that stereotypical bluegrass twang right out the window.

Sometimes fiddlers will alter the height of the bridge to "make string changes easier." But I've not noticed Hilary Hahn or Joshua Bell have any more trouble changing strings or playing double stops (more than one string at a time to produce a chord)than Bill Monroe or Charlie Daniels. So I guess bridge height is secondary.

Some fiddlers change the tuning of the strings. But classical violinists have been doing that for centuries. The technique is called "Scordatura." So the tuning is not the key to defining a "fiddle."

When people ask me the difference between a fiddle and a violin I usually tell them that one of these things.

-The difference between a fiddle and a violin is the difference between "Father" and "Daddy." It's the same guy. The role is the same, the love is the same. But "Father" is the man you approach and shake his hand or give him a hug. He teaches you the rules, and sometimes has to correct you. "Daddy" laughs, picks you up, swings you around, and tells you that everything is all right.

-A Violin is a Fiddle with a degree.

If I sell it to you, it's a violin. If you sell it to me, it's an old fiddle.

Playing the violin is not a naturally acquired skill. Some people say that there are too many things, at too many angles, going in too many directions all at once. Some people pick up the instrument, and when they have made the first scratchy, cat-howl of a screech, put the instrument down...never to be picked up again. The lucky people, the persistent people, the determined people, however, can learn many of the basics of fiddling themselves. Get started in the right direction and you can go far!

There's a new violin or fiddle tip every day. Go ahead and click...your tip will open in a new window!

It's always fun to play new music, especially if the music is something that you are picking out yourself. Whether you are purchasing etudes assigned by your violin teacher at school, or the next set of CD's that your Suzuki teacher has prescribed...whether you are just trying to play a song you heard in a movie last week, or you're playing a solo piece for your best friend's wedding...whether you are preparing for an audition for a symphony orchesra, or you just want to look good at a fiddle festival sometime next Summer, you need to have some sort of guide to play by. For many, sheet music is the answer. Maybe you can get by using lead sheets, and improvise from there. Perhaps you just want a DVD as an introduction for a new style of fiddling that you've never tried. Sheet Music Plus is a great place to start looking. A good selection of music. Discount prices. Fast service. Monthly specials. Save money and save time by looking at Sheet Music plus.

1. Contrary to popular belief, catgut strings are NOT made of cat innards, they are made of sheep intestines.

2. The "sides" of a violin are called "bouts," another definition of which is, "a contest or trial of strength, as of boxing."

3. Trick Question! How many violins did Stradivarius make? NONE. The famous luthier's name was Antonio Stradivari, not Stradivarius.

4. From highest to lowest, the strings on Mark's Viper are E, A, D, G, C, F, B-Flat. Seven strings!

5. Typically there are three woods used in a violin. The back and bouts are maple. The belly, or table, is spruce, and the fingerboard/tailpiece/chinrest are made of ebony, or boxwood or rosewood.

6. On at least one occasion, Colonel Klink played the violin in his office. And that bonus question? The answer to that one a little bit further down the page.