Violin
OVERVIEW
Violins are the “singing” voice of the string section and are the primary instrument in the orchestra. They have been used more recently in jazz and popular music settings.
VIOLIN HISTORY
The Violin is dated back to the early 1500’s by Andrea Amati, a lute maker who used the older Viol as its model. Master violin makers Antonio Stradivari and Giuseppe Guarneri were both Italian makers that have violins that are worth millions today. Antonio Vivaldi and Johann Sebastian Bach were early composers who brought the violin to the forefront of the orchestra and wrote specifically with the virtuoso instrumentalist in mind.
WHEN TO START
We recommend that kids start playing the violin at an early age. They make different sizes for smaller individuals, down to a 1/16th size! 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and 4/4 (full size) are different sizes for different size beginners. By the time the student is fully grown, they will be on a full size violin. Starting with a smaller violin will not affect the player switching to a larger instrument.
VIOLIN BRANDS
Violins can vary greatly in price range. Beginners should be able to find an instrument for under $300 that comes complete with the violin, bow, rosin (for the bow) and the case. There are many manufacturers that make quality instruments. Glaesal, Strauth, Hofner, Karl Willhelm, Knilling, SKB, Strunal, Wood and Yamaha are just a few of the common violins for beginner to professional.
VIOLINISTS
Isaac Stern, Fritz Kreisler, and Nicolo Paganini are phenomenal violinists in the classical sense of the violin. Today, other genres have used violins in jazz, pop and experimental music. Stéphane Grappelli was a French jazz violinist, Boyd Tensley played with the Dave Matthews Band and Mark Wood has performed with the Trans Siberian Orchestra as a Lead Violinist using an electric violin and effects much like a rock guitarist. Irish music uses the violin for traditional music and country music uses the violin, but refers to it as a “fiddle.”
ADVANCED TECHNIQUES
Violin is very broad in its uses and genres. Those wanting to learn different styles like country or Irish could learn the styles of each genre, the jazz idiom and pop/rock is another path. All of the styles are based on a basic understanding of the violin and much practice in each genre. Check out www.playmusic.org for more information about the string orchestra.
Dorothy Lu (Xiang Lu)
Xiang Lu has been playing violin for fifteen years and viola for five years. She also has six years of experience teaching private violin lessons to children using a combination of the Essential Elements and Suzuki texts. From 2003 to 2006, she performed with the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program, performing Dvorak's New World Symphony (No. 9) on their tour across Brazil, and accompanying Midori in the Bruch Violin Concerto Finale in January, 2006. She was also principal violinist of the Albuquerque Youth Symphony String Quartet in 2006.
Julian Machala
Julian Machala, a native of Urbana-Champaign Illinois, began playing the violin at age 5. During HighSchool he played concertmaster for the Illinois Allstate Orchestra and the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. Julian starting coaching and teaching his own classmates as a freshman in HighSchool. He later went on to study with Paul Kantor at Cleveland Institute of Music, where he received his B.A. in Violin Performance. Upon graduation Julian was accepted into the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
Chris Trotman
Chris Trotman is a 2010 graduate of the University of Alabama School of Music, where he earned the Master of Music Degree in Music Composition. During his graduate work, he also pursued secondary studies in organ and harpsichord. In 2008, he received the Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance from the Samford University School of the Arts, where he also studied composition, piano and organ. While in high school, Chris performed on a variety of musical instruments including the flute, saxophone and bassoon.
