See a presentation about how a violin is made.
Credit to SoniclyDuo. Click to load.One of the main, perceived, obstacles to learning the violin is the fretless fingerboard. Unlike a guitar where the frets indicate where the fingers should be placed. This can, however, be easily overcome with finger-tapes or markers that can later be removed as the student grows in confidence.
In addition to the violin’s place in the classical orchestra it is also central to the Celtic music tradition in Scotland, Eire, Wales, Breton, and other Celtic countries and regions where it is known as a fiddle from the Gaelic ‘fiodhall’. The name violin is derived from the Latin ‘vitulari’ meaning to celebrate a festival.
The violin has also successfully crossed over into Jazz, Rock, and Pop as demonstrated by the group 'Bond' and virtuosos such as Nigel Kennedy and Vanessa Mae.
Basic Tuning:
Violin strings are under a great deal of tension. They can break and your eyesight may be at risk. Please be careful! Use the "Fine Tuners" if you have them, and the string is not too far out of tune. They are the little knobs located on the tail piece. Turn them clockwise to raise the pitch and counter clockwise to lower the pitch.
If you need to use the tuning pegs, again, please be careful! You will need to hold the scroll on the opposite side of the peg you wish to tune. It will take and inward pressure from both hands to keep the peg from slipping out of place. Always come down first below the pitch. Then go slowly back up listening to the sound of the string as you go. It's very easy to go too far. So, if you have a teacher, please have him/her help you at first.
The four strings on the violin are tuned in perfect fifths -
E A D G