Violins are stringed instruments, and as such, they produce sound when plucked or bowed. The noise produced by violins is generally considered pleasant to the human ear. But why are violins loud from other instruments?
If you compare it to the other stringed instrument, like the guitar, the violin is louder than it. Because of different materials, tension, setup, or more, the sound of the violin may vary.
Today, I wanted to talk about why violins are louder than others and, if you use them quietly, how you could use them. So if you would like to know more, keep reading!
Are violins Loud?
Yes, according to other stringed instruments, the violin is comparatively loud. The volume of a violin largely depends on the player and their technique creating an almost inaudible sound. A well-made acoustic violin’s volume can range from 78 to 95 dB in total volume.
This sound segue may be challenging to follow if you’re playing for more than an hour, but you can still hear it surrounded by the noise of a band. But, some strategies can enhance the volume of your violin at the right time of need.
Three reasons why Are Violins Loud?
All sound-producing instruments utilize matter to vibrate to create sound. Vibrations caused by issues start with sound waves moving through the air. Nearly all musical instruments rely on the beat to enhance the sounds produced by the vibrations.
It moves them into your ears more effectively. Resonance is the consequence of an object vibrating in response to sound waves of a particular frequency. Vibration is transmitted through instruments, which can be raised or lowered efficiently.
A violin is not an exceptionally loud instrument compared to other music and is not the loudest instrument in the orchestra. The violin can range anywhere from 78 to 95 decibels at a high volume. Here are a few reasons why the violin is loud than other stringed Instruments
1. Tension
The violin framework consists of several sheets of solid hardwood carved to become the instrument’s top and back. The ribs are thin pieces of hardwood bent by heating to adapt the shape of the framework.
They’re glued with hiding glue into blocks located at the device’s top, bottom, and sides. Every cut is made with the utmost precision. The lack of tension allows fast execution and precision.
2. Varnish
Varnish provides a couple of purposes. First of all, it reduces the likelihood of impact on the wood, and it also protects the wood itself. It also needs to be tough enough to protect the wood, flexible, and able to vibrate with the instrument.
The varnish is too gentle and does not amplify the instrument’s vibrations. The varnish is too thick and does not allow the instrument’s vibrations to be amplified. Suitable varnish serves to protect the wood so that it can maximize vibrations.
3. Setup
The sound from the instrument comes from where you see it. In order to display the violin’s acoustic qualities, you’ll need a good setup because it enables the violin to be visible without significantly distorting the output volume.
The ideal setup does not increase the violin’s volume range. It simply allows the acoustic vibrations of the instrument to make sound without causing chaos.
Electric vs. Acoustic Violin based on Loudness
The acoustic violin is relatively louder than the electric violin. It produces sound by moving the strings, and the sound hole vibrates. It creates a loud sound that can be heard from far away.
An electric instrument is less loud than an acoustic instrument since it doesn’t produce any sound itself but amplifies the string. Electric violins tend to be louder than acoustic ones, but there are ways to decrease the volume on your electric violin under certain circumstances.
There is no doubt that electric violins are more dynamic and have more range of motion. Still, traditional musicians will always find themselves favoring their acoustic violins for their unique tone and silky smooth feel.
Comparison between Violin and Electric violin Based On Their Loudness
Here is a chart for you to understand the loudness of the violin which I personally tested.
| Electric | Acoustic | Mute | Sound (dB) | Note |
| – | Mendini By Cecilio Violin | Rubber practice mute | 80 dB(A), except open D string, 86 dB(A) | Decent for producing a medium-level pressure. Not best for a calm |
| Hollow Body electric violin | – | Plastic-coated metal mute | 74 dB(A) | Fewer high-pitched sounds, quieter for those in the neighborhood. |
| – | Cecilio CVN-300 Violin | Tourte Mute | 80 dB(A) | Adaptable may be very loud and has low frequencies. Not recommended for practicing music. |
| – | Cremona SV-175 Violin | Natural acoustic | 90 dB(A) | Loud with a talented soloist. |
| Solid Body electric violin | – | – | 65 dB(A) | Usually, quiet instruments, particularly, for this reason, are incapable of passing through walls or doors. |
| Yamaha Silent violin, NS Violins | – | – | 60 dB(A) | High pitch type sound |
How Loud Is A Violin With Mute?
A typical violinist can produce over 90 decibels of sound during performances, loud enough to disturb the neighbors. Even some fiddlers must plug their ears when practicing in their apartments.
However, you might engage in violin playing in your apartment if you plan your hours carefully, take the necessary actions to soundproof your room, and practice quietly. Electric violins are not built with an open wooden frame. They offer a gentler and deeper tone than acoustic violins from around seventy to 100.
If you want to play it quietly, you must choose a solid-bodied violin, perfect to practice in an enclosed room. You can silently turn your mute if inclined to be even quieter. Electric violins are not quieter.
How Can You Make Your Violin Louder?
You may think of plugging in your violin to an amplifier alone, which could be sufficient to amplify your instrument up to a point. As you discover, this approach to boosting sound gradually becomes inadequate as your instrument increases slowly in volume.
Attach a microphone to your electric or acoustic guitar, and it will allow you to amplify the sound without any risk of feedback. Violin pickups are a superb tool for boosting violins.
A pickup attaches to a bridge of your violin and transmits the vibrations of your instrument, which are then transformed into digital data. Using this capability, you can hook your acoustic violin into an amplifier as you would a guitar.
What Is A High Note On The Violin?
The playable highest note on a violin is A#7, assuming that it is kept in the perfect fifths scale. However, it should be noted that the E#7 note pinnacle is a practical boundary for composing violin music.
The notes above are difficult to play and are not usually featured in violin sheet music. To set on to the A string, you can attempt to play the A7 by placing your finger on the E string past the end of the fretboard and looking at your string’s intonation with the open A string.
The highest note on a violin quaver is 3520Hz, four octaves greater than the lowest A note. Locate your index finger on the G string at position A, the lowest note on the stave, to find the noticeable difference.
The highest note on your violin may differ. It depends on the tenor of your fingerboard whether your violin’s strings are tuned in GDAE or FCGD. Artificial harmonies may lead to that much higher notes being possible.
Is A Violin Too Loud For An Apartment?
Once you have a better feel for your violin, you can learn how to play certain pieces. If you are not accustomed to playing, it may be frustrating. If your neighbors are complaining about the noise level of your tower, then you need to think about ways that they will not hear it.
Set a time when you are prepared to practice, and inform your neighbors about your plans. Simply telling your neighbors about your goals may make them more welcoming to the noise.
Families with kids may find it more necessary to forgive others if they make a lot of noise, as their children are a lot like literal toddlers. However, if you are a parent, keep this in mind: children often have bedtimes, so try to schedule your sessions accordingly.
How Can You Practice Violin Quietly?
If you have a practice mute in an apartment, making practice easier is possible. A quiet or silent violin is a device that secures your violin’s bridge and greatly reduces background noise.
1. Rubber Violin Mutes
Rubber mutes will help you to play your instrument more quietly. Less noise-producing and user-friendly rubber mutes can help to cut down racket levels. Rubber mutes will keep your strings safe from damage as well.
2. Synthetic Mutes
Synthetic mutes are considered excellent quality, but they are also more expensive. It is flexible to bend the body into position, so it fits in with your violin setup. With synthetic materials, this mute is becoming more popular.
3. Metal Violin Mutes
Mutes made of metal can be used to mute the volume. However, they are a lot more delicate to utilize incorrectly. Attempting to place them in your case mistakenly, or they are often accidentally striking your cords could cause severe damage to them.
Final Words
When we are at the end, if you still are not clear about whether violins are loud or not, I’ll suggest you read the entire post carefully because violins can be loud.
But using a few techniques, you can make your violin louder. However, people find them to be very melodic and beautiful. I hope this will be helpful for you. Happy playing!
Frequently Asked Question
Is The Violin Loud Or Quiet?
Usually, the sound ranges between 60 to 70 percent greater than a conventional violin’s. Regardless, an acoustic violin will always generate a louder-than-average sound regardless of how you cut it. Even with a top-quality mute, an acoustic violin almost always produces a louder sound than an electric violin.
Is A Violin Louder Than A Guitar?
The violin is considerably more audible than a musical instrument comparable to it, such as a guitar. Surprisingly, the violin is typically smaller and heavier than a prime traditional or folk guitar.
Is A Silent Violin Silent?
Using headphones with your electric violins will be silent because you can control the sound on hearing. But you are using any silencer to make your sound silent may not provide you with complete silence. But it can make the sound less loud.
