Violin
By: Audrey Guyer
Creator of the Renaissance Violin
A man from Cremona, Italy named Andrea Amati is thought to have created the first violin. But some people believe that Andrea Amati was not the inventor of violins, instead they believe that a man from Brescia, Italy named Gasparo di Bertolotti da Saló invented the first violin.
Creator of the Modern-Day Violin
Not long after he made the first, three-stringed violin, Andrea Amati was thought to have invented the modern-day, four-stringed violin as well.
Year of Orgination
Andrea Amati invented his first violin in his hometown, Cremona, Italy in 1555.
Description of the Violin
The idea of the violin was inspired by the rebec and the fiddle. During the Renaissance, the violin was used to provide music for dancing and entertainment. The first violin was a three-stringed instrument with a very small handle called a neck. Due to the fact that the neck of the violin was smaller, the string was shorter as well. The platform that the string stretches across was very smooth and even. Animal intestines were used to make the string of the first violin. When violins were first invented, several people would perform pieces of music together.
Evolution of the Violin
The purpose of the violin and the violin itself have both changed immensely over time. Today's violin consists of four, long strings, a long and lengthy neck and an arched bridge. The violin is still used to provide music for dancing, but today it is also used for very formal and traditional events such as weddings and orchestral concerts. During the Renaissance, solo music for violinists was not very popular. But over time, solo compositions were written.