Fiddles and violins are, for the most part, identical instruments played in various ways. Some instruments, on the other hand, are specifically built for fiddling rather than classical performance. So are violins and fiddles the same?
These instruments frequently feature a flatter bridge, which puts the strings nearer to the fingerboard. Certain violin skills like fast string crossings and chording become easier to master as a result.
The major difference between violin and fiddle is the kind of music presented by the performer. Orchestras, classical music, chamber music, and symphonies are all commonly linked with the violin. Fiddle, on the other hand, is linked to a wide range of musical forms, including country, Cajun, folk, and bluegrass.
Fiddles and Violins are the Same! (Well, In Most Ways)
Where the base of the instrument is so identical regardless it is a violin or a fiddle, the instrument setup varies between violins and fiddles.
The advent of the five-string violin, which has an additional lower fifth C-string, has resulted in one change. Many electronic violins, often known as electric fiddle, come with five-string versions with the extra C string.
Another difference is that classical violinists choose gut or synthetic-core strings, but fiddlers often favor steel core strings for the sharp, crisp tone they provide to the song.
Some violin players choose a flat bridge over the more typical arched bridge. The flatter bridge reduces the angle among strings and enables two or more notes to be played at the same time, which so many fiddlers prefer.
Can you play fiddle on a violin? The answer would be “yes.” Many people will fail to differentiate the two instruments if you place them side by side. Why are they named differently then?
Violin is played mostly for classical music, whereas a fiddle is used for folk or bluegrass music. Also, the fiddle is part of the traditional Irish music genre, while the violin mostly sticks to classical music. When you play jazz or rock music, violin and fiddle can seem interchangeable.
No matter which instrument you play, they are typically the same wooden structure that has 4 or 5 strings. The design of these instruments has not deviated much from their 16th-century variations.
Fiddle vs Violin: Comparison Table
| Key Characteristics | Violin | Fiddle |
|---|---|---|
| Strings | E A D G, synthetic is more preferred | Steel core, synthetic |
| Bridge | More arched | More flat, less arch |
| Clef | Treble clef | Treble clef |
| Strings | 4-5 | 4-5 |
| Range | G3-A7 | G3-A7 |
| Playing style | Classical, folk, country, jazz | Folk, country, jazz, bluegrass |
Difference between Classical Violin and Fiddle
One very small variation among “fiddles” and standard violins may be found in American bluegrass and old-time fiddling. The top of the bridge is sometimes trimmed, so it is considerably less curved in these traditions.
This lowers the span of right-arm motion necessary for the quick string crossings prevalent in some genres and is believed to allow double stops and shuffles simpler to play, as well as triple stops feasible, enabling chords to be played.
Many classical violinists favor a rather rounded curvature at the bridge’s top, which helps them to define each note more concisely. In fact, most instruments have rounded bridges to complement the curvature of the fingerboard.
A steel-stringed violin will function best with a bridge that is millimeters lower overall. The motion may be adjusted to fit gut, nylon, or other synthetic-core strings. Because the bridge of a violin is very straightforward to repair, altering the bridge will not irreversibly transform a violin into a fiddle.
Classical violinists are meticulous in their execution of a piece. There is no variation from the composer’s original composition. It’s a more “technical” approach to the game.
Fiddlers have a lot more leeway when it comes to interpreting a piece of music and developing their own playing style.
Fiddle is Basically a Violin
Fiddles and violins are identical in terms of instrument design. A fiddle is a cheap violin coated in rosin dust with a flattened bridge, according to a funny answer to the question “Is fiddle a violin?” There is no difference in the instrument structure, only in how it is performed.
Gut strings had a rich and deep sound that was perfect for symphonic performance. They weren’t ideal for the wallet, so fiddlers turned to cheaper option-steel. Steel strings provide a “bright” timber tone that carries effectively in a solo setting.
Steel strings are extremely tough to tune with the violin’s clunky wooden pegs, and many steel strings often snapped prior to the introduction of fine-tuners, the tiny small metal devices on the tailpiece that made tuning a breeze. This method was adopted by violinists for application on their steel E strings, which are virtually difficult to tune with the peg.
Since fiddlers utilized fine tuners across all four strings, the usage of fine tuners on four strings has sadly been connected with less competent players. This is completely false. There is also a suggestion that fine tuners change the quality of harmonics, but this is debatable as well. As a result, a ludicrous cliché was born: violinists use pegs, whereas fiddlers use fine tuners.
Some people believe that fiddles are merely inexpensive violins. This might have been true in the past because underprivileged or rural people generally played handmade fiddles. They couldn’t afford individual lessons or to go to the symphony, but they learned traditional melodies.
What is a Violin?
Before we go into discussing Violin vs Fiddle, we need to understand the definition of them. A violin is a stringed instrument made of wood. It has four strings that are generally tuned in fifths: G3, D4, A4, and E5.
Strings were traditionally composed of sheep gut, but steel strings are now the most popular.
Vibrating strings above a hollow wooden frame generate sound in a violin. The top (or soundboard) is made of spruce, and the remainder of the body is made of maple.
The instrument has a fretless fingerboard on which players compress their fingers to produce certain notes. A “stop” is achieved by pushing down on a string. The term “double stops” implies pressing two strings at the same time. It is also feasible to make triple and quadruple stops.
It is tuned with peg tuners at the instrument’s head and fine tuners across its tailpiece.
The instrument is tucked between a violinist’s chin and shoulder. They bow or pluck using the right hand and sound notes on the fingerboard with their left.
The violin is among the most famous instruments in the string section. From Mozart and Beethoven to modern pioneers like Joshua Bell and Christopher Rouse, numerous classical composers have created violin concerto and sonatas to highlight the violin.
What is a Fiddle?
The term fiddle can refer to one of these things-
- It refer to a violin performed in the conventional folkrolee/
- It apply to a violin used during the country, bluegrass, or folk music.
- It can allude to any stringed instrument utilized in the folk idioms described earlier. A “bass fiddle,” for example, can pertain to a double bass used in this manner.
Fiddles appeared alongside the progenitors of the modern violin in the Middle Ages. However, when the violin evolved into its current shape, it became the principal medium for “fiddling.” Fiddle music thrived across Europe, although it is most associated with traditional Irish music.
In the 19th century, Scotch-Irish individuals of Scottish origin who lived in northeast Ireland migrated in massive numbers to America, carrying their violin traditions alongside them.
Countless Scotch-Irish settled in the Appalachian states of Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia, Ohio, and more. Bluegrass, a uniquely American music genre, originated from there. Bluegrass is defined by the violin, as well as the guitar, mandolin, and other stringed instruments
Mark O’Connor, Charlie Daniels, Natalie MacMaster are among the most well-known modern fiddlers.
Violin vs. Fiddle: Playing Style
Whenever a violin is played in a folk style, it is referred to as a fiddle, but when performed in classical tones, it is referred to as a violin. In reality, the playing manner is the primary distinction between the fiddle and the violin.
The violinist faithfully recreates the composer’s piece, even down to the volume of individual notes. A well-performed violin composition would not stray from the composer’s arrangement of the music in the least. This is also how a symphony orchestra may have 40 or more players playing in perfect synchrony.
Fiddlers, on the other end, add their own spin to each song, often deviating quite far from the original song that it is nearly unintelligible.
This should not be taken as implying that either style of performance benefits less from the skill of the musicians; in fact, both violin and fiddle styles benefit tremendously from the quality of the player.
Inexperienced fiddlers don’t always hold the instrument securely between the chin and shoulder, preferring to rest it on the chest. This significantly limits the instrument’s flexibility and is never witnessed in violin playing.
Reasons for Playing Violin/Fiddle
If you’re looking for some strong reasons to play violin/fiddle, know that these are versatile instruments and you can produce a wide range of music in these. Just by adjusting the bow’s tension and speed or by plucking the strings, you can alter the power of the note.
You might be shocked to hear that there are several great, long-term advantages of playing the violin and continuing to play it. As with any instrumental endeavor, you have the appropriate tools, and practice is all that is required.
Advantages of Violin/Fiddle for Beginners
Youngsters are often enthralled by the prospect of learning how to play the violin, and if this is the case, they should be welcomed. The physical, emotional, and social perks of playing a musical instrument are no secret, but the violin/fiddle adds some unexpected perks.
Now, let’s explore the advantages of violin and fiddle for beginners and choose the one that suits you the best.
| Violin for Beginners | Fiddle for Beginners |
| Playing the violin can help you develop self-discipline, self-reliance and self-esteem – all of which are valuable attributes for social interaction. | Playing fiddle can also help you develop social skills. |
| Violin aids in the reduction of anxiety and stress levels in their body. | Fiddlers have more independence in modifying the music, which helps them exercise their creativity. |
| Playing violin and taking care of the instrument will create a sense of responsibility among children | Playing fiddle and taking care of the instrument will create a sense of responsibility among children as well |
| As a beginner violinist, it helps in the formation of cognitive ability and memory. | Fiddlers practice on a regular basis which increases your recognition fluency in every way. |
Advantages of Violin/Fiddle for Intermediate Players
Even if you don’t start young, anyone of any age can learn how to play the violin. Indeed, many teenagers seek to extend their abilities and strengthen their university applications by participating in a range of extracurricular activities.
Let’s look at the advantages of violin and fiddle for intermediate players so that you can make an informed decision.
| Violin for Intermediate Players | Fiddle for Intermediate Players |
| There are a lot of music scholarships available for violin players | Scholarships for Fiddlers is not that common like violinists’, but still available |
| As most violinists perform classical music if learning the violin that would be particularly fit as an intermediate player. | As fiddlers don’t play by classical rules, they can play however they want and usually prefer freestyle |
| Following the notes with the violin is a bit difficult to master, but this will help to adapt difficult notes and become a professional violinist. | As fiddlers can improvise, it’s simpler for them than violinists |
| Allows you to be a part of a history of 400+ years | Fiddle doesn’t have a rich history like the violin |
Advantages of Violin/Fiddle for Professionals
The violin is now an important part of many classical music ensembles. A violinist serves as the concertmaster or head of the violin ensemble.
Adults who opt to learn the violin get additional benefits in addition to the physiological advantages of playing the violin. Mastering the violin is a fantastic method to reduce stress and expand your social network.
| Violin for Professionals | Fiddle for Professionals |
| Playing violin burns a lot of calories | Playing fiddle burns an extensive amount of calories as well |
| According to a study, classical music works amazingly to lower blood pressure which is a great reason to choose violin | As fiddle follows freestyle, it might not relieve stress levels as a violin does. |
| It takes at least 3-5 years of practice to master the art of playing the violin, so you have a good possibility of gaining the most knowledge and skill. | Learning to play the fiddle takes almost the same amount of time and as well as the knowledge and skill you can gain. |
| The goal of producing music with violin is to represent music and power. So you can gather complex music theories, aural abilities, pitch & harmony, syncopation, rhythm, etc., as well as specialized skills such as bowing & plucking methods, precise fingering, dexterity, etc. | Fiddling’s goal is to represent danceability |
Disadvantages of Playing Violin/Fiddle
Yes, playing violin or fiddle has some disadvantages as well. But, they’re not as prominent to stop you from playing the instrument. Still, it’s up to you to consider.
| Disadvantages of Playing Violin | Disadvantages of Playing Fiddle |
| Takes a long time to master the skill | Takes less time than a violin to master the skill, but still, it’s a long period of time |
| Violin lessons are quite expensive | Fiddle lessons are less expensive than the violin, but still, they cost a lot |
| Violin is a fragile instrument and the strings tend to break easily | The fiddle is a fragile instrument as well and the strings tend to break easily |
Final Thoughts
Fortunately, it appears that the violin-fiddle disparity has shrunk somewhat in recent years. The majority of players utilize modern hybrid strings, which have a deep and rich yet clear tone and react wonderfully to both traditional and fiddle playing.
Most current violinists aren’t as fussy about fine tuners since they’re viewed as an improvement over utilizing obstinate old pegs.
The rebirth of fiddle music in popular culture allowed fiddlers to strive to a greater level of playing skill and for violin learners to venture out and experiment with various styles of music. As a result, both fiddlers and violinists have nicer instruments and proper music education.
As more musicians stretch out creatively and discover new methods of playing, the distinction between violin and fiddle will become blurred. Musicians will seem more at ease performing with one another, and preconceptions will vanish since both the violin and the fiddle would be acceptable.
