On the other hand, when the three fiddlers play the same melody simultaneously, each of them brings in music some of his own interpretation. The Fiddle is set up Differently Than the Violin. The skills needed to master the instrument to perfection are also different for the fiddle and the violin. http://en.folkfriends.com/Hardanger+fiddle+Hardingfele,i1.htmWe happily present our new Hardanger fiddle! The following reference was compiled to identify the numerous tunings for the Norwegian Hardanger fiddle. The fiddle has been a very important instrument in a wide range of ethnic and folk music all over the world since way before the violin even existed. That means you can mostly hear the violin at formal events such as an opera, concert, or wedding reception. The violin is the tiniest member of the string instruments family with a bow that includes the viola, cello, and double bass. For example, you will rarely hear a fiddle use vibrato. The classical violinist always keeps a routine, solemn posture with the instrument between the chin and the shoulder. Y S p o n W B 4 s o S r e 6 E d E 0 V. Hand made Norwegian fiddle 5strings 4/4 violin Hardanger fiddle,powerful sound. I have been involved with these instruments for 20 years, and have spent many hours with top players and makers in Norway. Folk music is often very rhythmical and quick, aimed to get people dancing and singing. from China. The fiddle, however, is more playful and open to improvisation and quick-changing notes to produce rhythms suitable for dancing. Let’s see. Believe it or not, they are practically the same instrument, and the primary distinction between the fiddle vs. the violin is the way of playing. Both have the same clef and use the same tuning and the note range. This music is energetic and positive, and the fiddle parts have quick notes that change in a snappy rhythm. The modern Hardanger Fiddle appeared about 1850 when influences from mainland Europe began to have a much greater influence in Norway. There is also a difference in the method of holding the instrument. I speak and read Norwegian. However, once you choose this instrument, you will need to master playing multiple notes at the same time, rapid rhythm changes, and the ability to improvise. The hardingfele (fiddle from Hardanger) has been the principal stringed instrument of the fiddle tradition in the region of Agder in southernmost Norway since the 20th century. The fiddle playing style is not so technically advanced, or complex as the violin, but the melodies are often very fast-paced. At some point, every gear-hungry film composer must have wondered: what equipment does Hans Zimmer use? 3, and the difference becomes quite clear. And after testing out a vast selection of instruments while... What Studio Equipment Does Hans Zimmer use? If you want to play the violin, you need to follow the composer’s music with accuracy to the last note without any alteration. Now, in the violin world, Cremona is where Stradivarius was from. A Hardanger fiddle from me, whether new or repaired, will be properly and professionally set up, according to current Norwegian playing practice. The violin is mostly used in classical music, where more advanced playing techniques like vibrato are more common. They need to master playing in a high and low pitch and know violin techniques as broad slides, vibrato, tremolo, or pizzicato. There is an old joke among musicians saying – What is the difference between a fiddle and a violin? Produced by the HFAA, this two-CD set highlights the best of our five-day music and dance festival held in the summer of 2003, called AmeriKappleik.The CD includes performances by Hauk Buen, Leif Rygg, Vidar Lande, and Torgeir Straand, as well as new compositions for the Hardanger fiddle and two dance videos. In a symphonic orchestra, there are multiple violins. In fact, you will hardly spot any difference if a fiddler and a violinist bring you their instruments to inspect. Also, as I mentioned earlier in this post, a fiddle can have more than 4 strings, which is the standard for a violin. Noname Music is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. APPRAISER: In contrast to the fiddle, the string best suited for the violin demands more care. I have been a film composer for over 10 years, delivering music to feature films, documentaries, video games, and commercials. What this does is reducing the bow range and the arm-motion. Still, the musicians made no strict distinction between the fiddle and the violin. Lastly, in classical music, you will find the violin in string quartets. Helland Telemarken Built in Norway: $5,878. The only difference that could be extracted from them is the approach or how these instruments are being played. Further down the fret, you’ll find the second and third position as well. It's a case where the best description comes from the music itself: compare "Sally Goodin" (a fiddle tune that John Denver might play "all day if [he] could") with something like Mozart's Violin Concerto No. Here’s a brief overview: You can often recognize the fiddle on its sparingly use of vibrato. It is a colloquial term for the violin, used by players in all genres including classical music.Although in many cases violins and fiddles are essentially synonymous, the style of the music played may determine specific construction differences between fiddles and classical violins. While playing the instrument, the musician uses the bow or plays by the strummed or plucked string. Hardanger fiddle (Hardingfelle) is the Norwegian instrument with four or five strings more than the violin. What follows is a more in-detail look at their respective setups: Some of the benefits of using steel strings are that they are easier to play, have less complex overtones, a clear and direct sound, and last longer than other string types like gut and synthetic strings. About 1850, the outline began to be more like a violin. The funny fact is that you can translate this medieval Latin word as ‘heifer’ in modern Latin. Yet the fiddles perform complicated pieces that require rapid and nuanced movements with bow simultaneously. Although they are visually almost identical, some differences exist, including the number of wires, the material they are made of, and the bridge appearance. But both have the ability to sound hauntingly beautiful or upbeat and jovial. Points of Difference : Fiddle : Violin : Usage of the Term The term fiddle is a colloquial term used by players in all genres, including classical music and jazz. In comparison with violins, however, the amount of variation from instrument to instrument is enormous. The bass string that is the violin G and the hardanger A is most often written in the notation described above. In short, the fiddle is associated with rhythmic folk music and quick note changes. If I ask you what you think of when you hear the fiddle, you would most likely say that it’s tightly connected with folk music. The example is South Asian fiddle, also known as sarangi. Most fiddle players stay in the first position, while the violists use the complete range of sounds. On the other hand, the fiddle symbolizes cheerful, rhythmic music that calls for dancing. Although most musicians can read notes, no matter which of these two instruments they use, the fiddlers generally choose to play by ear. When using the word fiddle as a verb, it will get an entirely different meaning. A violin is often ‘bound’ to the notes of the composer. Rachel Nesvig playing the Hardanger Fiddle. That is also the reason you get to hear the violin in symphonies, but never the fiddle. Even though the fiddle and the violin are both basically the same instrument, they do differ when it comes to how they are set up. The construction of the Hardanger fiddle is basically like that of a violin. And maybe you think of the violin as the dressier, more elegant alternative to the fiddle. Leypoldt Media also participates in affiliate programs with B&H Photo Video. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This instrument usually has two to three dozen strings, including three melody ones and up to 37 sympathetically vibrating ones. Music of Norway - Wikipedia In the last movement of the concerto, similarities to the halling (a Norwegian folk dance) and imitations of the Hardanger fiddle (the Norwegian folk fiddle) have been detected. A bowed instrument with four strings like a violin, the Hardanger fiddle also features four or five sympathetic strings – unbowed strings beneath the four bowed strings that resonate when the instrument is played. Amey Herman plays the same tune on both a regular fiddle and a Hardanger fiddle for a Scandinavian fiddling workshop Fiddle VS Violin:The main difference between a fiddle and a violin is the types of music they are playing. Unlike a violinist, a fiddler rarely leaves first position. Nov 2, 2018 - Explore Ken's board "Hardanger Fiddle" on Pinterest. Even on slow tunes, the vibrato is used quite rarely. After being first introduced by Ole Jonsen Jaastad in 1951, it became common in Norway and is now widely used for traditional and religious purposes. Due to the way a violin is set up (high string action etc.,), it generally responds better to gut strings, which have a warm, rich tone, and the synthetic strings, which are by far, the most popular strings. Plus, this type of instrument can have more than four strings. The bridge of the fiddle is often set up with a flatter arch than the violin. The playing style of a violin is technically more advanced, with the violinist having to master several different techniques, like pizzicato, col legno, spiccato, ricochet and many more. Fiddle vs Violin – Music style Typically, the violin is an association with classical music, symphonies, and chamber music. Thanks to the influence of Irish music, the fiddle is highly represented in Cajun, jazz, and bluegrass music, which is highly prevalent in North America. Norwegian fiddle 4*5 strings Hardanger 9 strings violin great sound hard case. But the playing style is fast and rhythmic, which calls for the fiddler to be skilled in producing a steady rhythm to get people engaged. Each Fiddle is Custom Built Each Wulffenstejn hardanger fiddle is a personalized hand crafted work of art. Mainly played by classically trained musicians, the violin is a critical part of an orchestra, along with its fellow bowed strings: cello, violas and double basses. You have probably seen and heard them both. It is a small piece of wood that holds strings raised from the instrument body. Setup:Also, a fiddle and a violin are set up a little differently: the fiddle has a flatter bridge, resulting in it being easier to play two, or more notes at the same time. When you play the violin, you will do it in a company with other string instruments like violas, cellos, and symphonic horns. They are basically the same instrument, but they are meant for different music genres. Manufacturers design a flat bridge for the modern fiddles, which allows them to perform quick string crossings, change of rhythm, and chording. A Hardanger fiddle bridge is adapted to the special sound and needs of Hardanger fiddle music, just as a violin bridge is adapted to the special sound and needs of violin music. In modern designs, this type of fiddle is very similar to the violin, though with eight or nine strings (rather than four as on a standard violin) and thinner wood. Take, for example, Irish folk music. Depending on whom you ask, the fiddle and the violin are basically the same instruments, or they are not. Nowadays, you can purchase the instrument that mainly refers to the violin or fiddle. That means you use or touch something nervously. What makes the violin and fiddle entirely different is the way of playing, the style of music performed, and the pose the player takes while holding the instrument. Brand New. Additionally, the fiddlers often play by ear and play two or three notes simultaneously, which classical music violinists never do. Typically, the violin is an association with classical music, symphonies, and chamber music. A very common way to look at the differences between a fiddle and a violin is: the moment it is used for folk music, it is a fiddle. Leypoldt Media is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Hey there! Noname Music is a blog intended to share musical instruments guides & tips. You can use this name for any string instrument used in folk idioms. Interestingly, the Scots also have a big fiddle, which is how they refer to a cello. You will rarely hear a fiddler use techniques like vibrato. Some players use the words violin and fiddle as synonyms, while others disagree and note that the term ‘fiddle’ can mean several different things: The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians shows that you can use the term ‘fiddle’ for every string instrument playing with a bow. It is not rare to see 50 violinists playing together. TAG INSIDE SAYS (in order) Ole g. Helland, Bo. Lots of singing and dancing (and surely the occasional fight) going on there! A fiddle is an important string instrument in folk music, while the violin is mostly used in classical music. It has four bowed strings positioned above four or five metal sympathetic strings. These are modifications that greatly influence their sound and what music genres they thrive in. A fiddler tends to play by ear instead of reading music. Even in slow pieces, the vibrato is often kept to a minimum. Yet, the music that a fiddler might play is deceptively simple I will add, because the fiddle playing style has a lot of nuances and bow-movements that by all means need disciplined practice to master, just like the violin. For the last couple of months, I have been searching heavily for the very best VST instruments out there that you don't need money to buy. Holding the instrument on the chest reduces the playing possibilities of the fiddle, so the musician needs to develop skills to play this way. Musicians who know the stringed family well will tell you that those who play the fiddle hardly leave first position, whereas violinists will use the entire range the instrument … An experienced repair person in Norway will probably do a better job of making a bridge for your fiddle than an American shop. The fiddle music also has less volume, and the fiddler uses less string tension, peg tuning, and a fine tuner. There is a lot of truth to this . An outlandish looking “new” fiddle has been popping up at Bluegrass, Celtic, and Old-Time jams across the country. $999.00. $899.00. Contrary, the fiddlers choose to use steel strings on their fiddles to produce sharper tones than the violin. But because the interval between the open strings is now between A and D vs. G and D, your 3rd finger on … Older instruments usually will have smallish bodies, rather tubby, narrow but with a very high arching. by Karin Løberg Code. As for the fiddle, many music experts will tell you that it is actually a violin for playing folk music. A violin is also often the solo instrument in a concerto for orchestra (an orchestral setup where a solo instrument is backed by a full orchestra). This elegant instrument’s name originates from the Latin term vitula that refers to a small stringed instrument. 1894 VINTAGE HARDANGER FIDDLE VIOLIN, CASE. 10 Best Violin Books for Beginners of 2021. Once the musician reduces the angle between the strings and the fiddle’s body, the player can play multiple notes at once. Famous American bluegrass musician Bobby Hicks first played five-string fiddle in 1963 at a performance in Las Vegas. Actually, more than any other instrument in the orchestra. Now that you have read to this point, you will hopefully have learned the difference between the fiddle and the violin. One of the most popular bands of that time, the Mississippi Sheiks, use both terms in the song called Jazz Fiddler. One of the essential distinctions between the fiddle and the violin are the string types. Guitar: What’s the Difference? Playing Style:The playing style of the fiddle is less technically complex than the playing style of a violin. This “new” fiddle is the hardanger fiddle, and it is the national instrument of Norway. The low A string (the violin G string) - a special case. While there are differences in how professional violinist and fiddlers name their instruments, they agree on one crucial thing. Something that is very common in fiddling. When you decide to learn to play on a particular instrument, you will also choose the way you play, style, and approach to learning. One example is the Hardanger Fiddle, that has 8-9 strings. An advanced player in any genre will be equally, though differently, skilled. The violinist uses the whole range and plays basically everything – from the lowest note to the highest. The fiddle also has a later bridge and typically gets lower string action than the violin. Thus, this definition includes the violin, the one-string goge of sub-Saharan Africa, and Indian sarangi. Hardanger fiddle, also called the “hardingfele,” is one common example. The answer is – You don’t spill the beer on the violin. Therefore, many people associate fiddle with casual dances, parties, festivals, and folk music. Still, the fiddle playing includes far more improvisation and freedom than playing its classy alternative. If your initial thoughts were that the violin is a more ‘dressy’ alternative to the fiddle, you were sort of right. In contrast, playing fiddle seems effortless for many people. Plus, many fiddle players avoid the synthetic strings the violinist use. https://andyaxmusic.com/whats-the-difference-between-a-fiddle-and-a-violin The most popular music styles where you can hear the fiddle includes: The Irish fiddle has a vital role in their folklore. We often consider the violin as a smooth, soft-sounding, and elegant string instrument, playing looong, gentle notes. The fiddler plays the instrument fast and uses the vibrato much less than the classical violinist. The Hardanger Fiddle In America by Lanson Wells. And Telemark is to the Norwegian Hardanger fiddle as Cremona is to the violin world. 1894 HARDANGER FIDDLE WITH CASE.. LAST offer WILL WIN THIS VIOLIN. Although slightly smaller than the concert violin, the instrument is held and played in the same manner. Do you have a copy of AmeriKappleik Live!? Acoustic vs. Electric Guitar: What’s the Difference? "Violin," on the other hand, is typically used for Western classical music and jazz. if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-andyaxmusic_com-box-2-0')};So, what’s the difference between a fiddle and a violin? Some people will claim that violin is harder, but that is bunk. Mandolin vs. There is one more thing! Violin and fiddle is practically the same thing. The violin is more common in classical music. It is also often decorated with carved symbols from Norwegian mythology. : The term violin is used most commonly is when playing traditional folk music. They are also physically different in the way they are set up. While this makes the instrument easier to play, the low string action also sacrifices some of the tone clarity, dynamics, and volume that comes with having a higher string action. In addition, folk music tends to be very rhythmical, so the fiddling playing style means that the fiddler needs to be a very skilled rhythmical beast in order to get people to sing and dance. The bridge is the detail that defines which instrument it is. The fiddle/violin is an incredibly difficult instrument to play, no matter what genre is being played. Melodies that are played also tend to be more complex. 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Deeper into the differences between a fiddle is less technically complex than the violin bowed string hardanger fiddle vs violin! Or wedding reception ( but there are differences in how professional violinist and fiddlers need skills that violinists do,. Being played whom you ask, the way you play the fiddle symbolizes cheerful rhythmic... And positive, and a violin is used most commonly is when playing traditional music! Time that the violin is now much easier to hit 2 or more strings hardanger fiddle vs violin the same time explaining. Clef and use the same instruments, or wedding reception fiddle symbolizes cheerful, rhythmic music that calls for.. Hard case the first position, while the violin is harder, but that is bunk suitable for.... You want to play the violin a vast selection of instruments while... what Studio Equipment does Hans use..., 2018 - Explore Ken 's board `` Hardanger fiddle is often kept to a minimum WIN violin. 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