Types of Violins

There are many violin makers from all across the world who create violins for specific name brands. Generally, there are two types of violins:

* Acoustic or Non-Electric Violin - This is the traditional violin that is more suitable for beginners. The violin is a bowed string instrument that has the highest tune and is the smallest among the violin family of instruments. It is also called the fiddle when used to play traditional or folk music.

* Electric Violin - As the name implies, electric violins use an electronic signal output and is suited for more advanced players. The sound of an electric violin is sharper than that of an acoustic.

Violins may also be classified by period or era:

* Baroque Violin - The violin of this period had a shallower angle and neck, there was not much thought given to chin and shoulder rests and the strings were strung in gut with equal tension.

* Classical Violin - The violin of this period had a thinner neck and smaller heels than that of the Baroque period.

* Modern Violin - The neck of the modern violin is more sharply angled, the wood used is thinner and smaller and the strings are tuned higher.

Violins may also be classified by the country from which it originated such as China, Korea, Hungary, Germany and Italy. People who make violins are called luthier. Less expensive violins often come from China, while the most expensive, Stradivarius,(named after Antonio Stradivari) comes from Italy.