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Rock n' Roll on a Violin? Only for the Cool!
That picture at the left is Mark Wood. Wood bills himself as the first Heavy Metal Violinist. Yes, that futuristically shaped thing in his hands is a violin. Yes, it does have frets and more than 4 strings (In fact, the instrument Wood plays has 7 strings) And yes, you have probably heard AND SEEN his music!
Mark Wood is the String Master and a founding member of the Trans Siberian Orchestra. He is a Juilliard trained violist who, at one time, traveled the Northeast United States with his brothers playing Beethoven string quartets.
Having heard people like Jimi Hendrix, Mark knew that it didn't take an electric guitar to create a sound that young people would love. He reasoned that if it had strings, you could probably make similar sounds with it. So Mark announced to his Juilliard professor that he wanted to learn to play viola the way Hendrix played guitar. His teacher would have nothing of it. Mark left Juilliard to play rock music, Mark also left the dark side, setting down the viola, and picking up the King of Strings, the violin of course!
But as beautiful as the instrument is, Mark couldn't compete with the volume and the sound of electric instruments with his accoustic violin. That gave rise to the wide array of electric violins that Mark has designed and built.
Contents at a Glance
- Yes, Every One of These is a Violin!
- The Band Rocks -- But The Violin's Probably The Wimp of the Bunch! -- NOT!
- Wood Violins -- Electric Violins Sound and Look Cool! A Christmas Gift Beyond Compare!
Yes, Every One of These is a Violin!
Stradivari would probably Turn in His Grave -- With Excitement!
Mark Wood and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Wizards of Winter -- Featuring Electric Violin
The Band Rocks -- But The Violin's Probably The Wimp of the Bunch! -- NOT!
What Do You Think of the Violin Now?(Plexo)
Take a Look at these Videos and Vote for Your Favorite!
Mark plays every genre of music. "I play classical music every day," he says. He also plays everything from early Beatles, to Led Zepplin, to Celtic, to Bluegrass. And all of it on one of his electric violins! Take a look at some of his videos and vote for which one you like the best!
Wood Violins -- Electric Violins Sound and Look Cool! A Christmas Gift Beyond Compare!
His By-Line is "Silent No More," And These Instruments are Anything But Silent!
The Viper Violin (Click the Picture at the Left) may be the most revolutionary and innovative electric violin ever offered to the modern violinist and guitarist. With the breakthrough design of its patented Chest Support System, the Viper is a completely self-supporting instrument -- there is no need to support the instrument by clenching it between the chin and shoulder or by holding it up with the left hand.. The shoulder pad and chin rest are no longer needed, allowing the player to perform for longer periods of time without experiencing the neck and back fatigue that a traditional violin can create. Now violin players can experience the physical and musical freedom that up until now has only been available to guitarists.
And guitarists can experience the expressiveness of the violin without losing the bite and sound of the electric guitar. They can also experiement with and create new sounds which playing with a bow affords ... everything from singing infinite sustain to crisp staccato attack.
With models available from 4 to 7 strings, the range available on this instrument is vast, ranging from the highs available to a traditional violin, down past the viola, all the way to a b-flat down in the cello's realm! Phenomenal!
The Stingray Violin (Click the Picture at the Left) is another absolutely amazing instrument from Wood Violins! Nothing will hold you back on the Wood Violins Stingray Fretless 5-string Electric Violin. The Stingray may offer the best value for today's modern violinist. Whether you are a beginning string student or a professional musician, these violins make the transition to an electric solid body seamless. These sleek and beautiful instruments deliver outstanding tone and the necessary "punch" for live performances. With a sound ranging from classical to thrashing metal the Stingray will allow you to express every ounce of your creativity.They each come with a custom-made chin rest With a sound ranging from classical to thrashing metal the Stingray will enable your creativity.
Listen to Mark Wood Play the Viper Violin!
More from Mark Wood Instruments -- From Amazon
WWP1 Electric Violin Wah Pedal
Amazon Price: $129.99 (as of 12/24/2009) 
Add a CodaBow and the Outfit is Complete!
This is a Great Bow for an Accoustic or Electric Violin!
CodaBow Diamond Series Violin BowThe Diamond Series embodies the unrivalled marriage of timeless craftsmanship and industry-leading technology. Designed and crafted to meet the needs of professional violinists, the Diamond Series offers performance once reserved for only the finest pernambuco bows. If you are serious about the violin, you will not go wrong playing with a CodaBow!
Learn to Improvise!
Rock, Jazz, Bluegrass, Cajun -- It All Involves Improvisation
Electrify Your Strings BK/CD Violin Instruction (Book & CD)
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 12/24/2009)
Whether you've experienced Mark and Electrify Your Strings in person, watched Trans Siberian Orchestra in concert, watched Mark's videos here or on YouTube, or just watched the famous Christmas House video with featuring Wizards in Winter, you've probably said, "I wish I could do that!" Here's your chance to bring the music and the teaching right into your own home!
Rock, Hip-Hop, and Country?
Rock Violinist Mark Wood and Hip-Hop Violinist Miri Ben-Ari Meet Charlie Daniels
And Speaking of the Lovely Miri Ben-Ari...
Everything from Hip-Hop to the Star Spangled Banner to Twinkle
This lady can handle a violin . . . but in at least one of these videos the question comes down to "Can She Handle a Pumpkin?" I guess we'll never really know, but you'll sure enjoy her violin!
Miri Ben-Ari
Israeli-born violinist Miri Ben-Ari was trained as a classical violinist and then discovered jazz and hip hop when she was a teenager. It is this blend of musical styles that has influenced her work, allowing her to move with equal ease in classical, jazz, and hip-hop circles. She's appeared with everyone from Wynton Marsalis to Jay-Z to Kanye West.Miri released her first album, Sahara, in 1999. An mix of classical and Eastern-inspired tracks, the album featured all original work, most composed by Ben-Ari herself. In 2000 she released the album The Song of the Promised Land, a jazz album which featured Wynton Marsalis trumpet on two tracks. In addition to her recording efforts, Ben-Ari continued to play concert dates around the country in a variety of styles, including jazz, pop, classical, blues, Latin, and world music.
Further demonstrating her versatility, Ben-Ari released a live album in 2003 called Temple of Beautiful, for Half Note. Recorded at a famous New York City jazz club called the Blue Note, Temple of Beautiful featured Ben-Ari playing jazz standards, backed by a pianist, bassist, and drummer. In addition to pieces by Duke Ellington, Herbie Hancock, and others, the album included a trio of original pieces by Ben-Ari.
Electric Violins on eBay
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Back to the Viper With Katie Jacoby!
Katie also plays a Viper violin, by Wood Violins. Since the Viper is electric it can produce almost any sound an electric guitar can produce, and then some! Is Katie at home in a Rock environment? You be the judge!
More Cool Violin Shirts
Just in Case Your Friends Need a Visual
VIO Dark T-Shirt
Price: 20.99
Fear The Violins Dark T-Shirt
Price: 24.99
Violin Rocks Ringer T
Price: 19.49
Violinists -- Not Your Typical Musicians
Different . . . Cool . . . And Definitely Not Something for One of the Sheep!
Coda Bows on eBay
Many electric violinists insist that a carbon fibre bow is a MUST. And with the scarcity of good pernambuco wood for quality bows due to the decline of the Brazilian rain forest, carbon fibre is a great alternative. Strong! Light! Great Response. And Coda Bow is THE NAME in carbon fibre bows!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byAdam Baldych Can Really Make A Violin Scream!
Fusion Violinist Adam Baldych has played a couple different electric violins in his performances. Most recently he has chosen a violin by NS Designs, but here are some videos featuring him on the Yamaha SV 200 as well.
Now You've Been Exposed to Some Electric Violin . . . Whadda Ya Think?
Antonio Pontarelli
Amazing Work for Such a Young Artist!
Who Says a Rockin' Violinist Needs to Play Rock?
Bluegrass Fiddle Boot Camp DVD's
Amazon Price: $49.95 (as of 12/24/2009)
Learning bluegrass fiddle is more than just learning to play on STRANGS instead of STRINGS. The technique and the music theory you learn are wonderful ways to broaden your understanding of the instrument! If you've never tried bluegrass, this DVD is a wonderful way to start.
Or Maybe Irish Fiddle is More Your Style
DVD-Learn To Play Irish Fiddle #1
Amazon Price: $26.99 (as of 12/24/2009)
The same can be said about Irish fiddle. The finger dexterity that you learn playing Irish fiddle is useful in every genre of music! Another great product for a violinist who wants to explore the boundaries of the instrument.
And Jazz is the Very Definition of Improvisation!
Swingin' Jazz Violin - Improvisation And Musicianship For Fiddlers
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 12/24/2009)
Another genre. Another sound. Another skill set. A more rounded musician. I heard Mark Wood asked if he would recommend a student's attending Juilliard in New York. His response was that a violinist who only understood classical music would be a very hungry individual. Earning a living with the instrument requires physical and artistic flexibility. Here's another great way to add another musical arrow to your quiver!
Thanks For Visiting!
Please Let Us Know You Were Here!
Do You Play Violin? Did the Lens Show You a Side of Violin that You Never Knew Existed? Write a Note and Let Us Know! Thanks!
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Reply
- Photahsiamirabel Photahsiamirabel Jul 14, 2009 @ 6:04 pm
- I am a guitarist and composer - if I could handle a bow I would have bought a viper! Your lens is great so I gave it 5!
All the best!
Lisa :)
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Reply
- Not-Pop Not-Pop May 3, 2009 @ 7:13 am
- What a fantastic lens. I have always wanted to learn but never made the time. Now I want to get a Stingray and rock!
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Reply
- MiaBellezza MiaBellezza Mar 4, 2009 @ 8:08 am
- Saw you on SquidU. I think this is a great concept lens 5*!
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