History Of The Violin Family

The Family The violin family consists of a violin, a viola, and a cello. Were first made in the early 16 th century, in Italy.

When Were They Invented? Seen in paintings by Gaudenzio Ferrari from the 1530s. The

Byzantine lyra A medieval bowed string musical instrument from the Byzantine Empire. Pear-shaped with three to five strings, held upright while one hand bows and the other presses the fingers on the strings to play notes. First recorded reference to the bowed lyra was in the 9 th century by a Persian geographer named Ibn Khurradadhbih.

The Rabab Western Europe was introduced to the Arabic bowed instrument called the rabab, and that gave birth to all different kinds of bowed instruments. The rabab:

The Ancestors The rebec, and lira da braccio. rebec lira da braccio

First Modern Day Bowed String Instruments It is not clear exactly who made the first violins, violas, and cellos, but there is good evidence that they originate from northern Italy.

These instruments became very popular both among street-musicians and nobility. Charles IX of France hired many string musicians in the second half of the 16 th century, perhaps the first orchestra.

Early Makers Because bowed string instruments became so popular, there was a demand for skilled instrument makers, and many generations of family’s did this for a living. Stradivari and Guarneri del Gesu being very famous stringed instrument crafters.

Fun Fact Stradivarious violins, violas, and cellos are so well crafted and sound so beautiful that they are the most famous and best violin you could possibly get. They are not just made so well, but also one of the oldest instruments made in the 17 th century, making them an antique. $45,000,000

The Bow Stringed instruments as a category existed long before the bow, they were just plucked.

History Of The bow Bowing can be traced back as far as the Islamic civilization in the 10 th century.

Electric Violins