Violin Anatomy

Violin anatomy shows you parts of violins. Brief explanations below help you learn violin anatomy.

Body :
The body is two arched plates (Belly and Back) fastened to a garland of ribs with animal hide glue. The body length (not including the neck) of a 'full-size' or 4/4 violin is about 14 inches (or smaller in some models of the 17th century). A 3/4 violin is 13 inches, and a 1/2 size is 12 inches. Rarely, one finds a size referred to as 7/8 which is approximately 13.5 inches, sometimes called a "ladies' fiddle". Children learning the violin often use fractional sized violins, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10, and 1/16. Occasionally, even a 1/32 sized instrument is used.

Bridge :
The bridge has several purposes: its top curve holds the strings at the proper height from the fingerboard in an arrangement permitting each to be touched separately by the bow. It also transmits the vibrations of the strings directly to the top, and through the sound post to the back. The mass distribution and flex of the bridge, acting as a mechanical acoustic filter, have a prominent effect on the sound. The sound post, or "soul post", fits precisely between the back and top, just to the tailward side of the treble bridge foot, and may be moved slightly when adjusting the tone of the instrument.

Chin Rest :
Violins maybe have a chinrest. The chinrest may attach directly over the tailpiece or it may be to the left of it.

F-Hole :
Fholes are also referred to as "sound holes", the first referring to shape, the other to their acoustical function. The purpose of sound holes is to help acoustic instruments project their sound more efficiently and are usually made in pairs placed symmetrically on both sides of the strings.

Fingerboard :
The fingerboard is glued to the neck of the violin. It extends from a point just below the nut (a block of ebony right below the pegbox that holds the strings in place and keeps them from rubbing against the fingerboard), to a point about a third of the way down the body of the violin and slightly above it. it does not actually touch the body of the violin, but passes above the belly of the instrument.

Neck :
It carries the fingerboard. It alone is not strong enough to support the tension of the strings without distorting, relying for that strength on its lamination with the fingerboard. For this reason, if a fingerboard comes loose (it happens) it is vital to slacken the strings immediately. The shape of the neck and fingerboard affect how easily the violin may be played. Its dimensions and shape are of critical importance.

Peg :
We use the pegs to tune the violin. The four pegs, one for each string, are located between the scroll and the nut. They are inserted into the violin so that they extend through the peg box and just barely come out the other side. Each peg has a peg hole. A string is inserted through the hole, runs through the nut, over the fingerboard, across the bridge and is attached to the tailpiece.

Rib :
The ribs are what is commonly seen as the "sides" of the box. The ribs are glued to the blocks, six pieces of wood which have been temporarily glued to the form and carved into the desired shapes. The blocks provide structural support for the corners, and for the endpin and neck.

Scroll :
Except when used to hang up the instrument, the function of the scroll is entirely decorative.

String :
Strings directly influence the performance of your instrument. Violins have four strings (they differ in thickness) tuned a perfect fifth apart (G D A E). They must "adhere" and vibrate well - be tough and very responsive and they must match each other, so that when passing from one string to another, no difference should be noted in string tension and tone.

Tailpiece :
A piece of metal or wood at the lower end of a stringed instrument to which the strings are attached.

Tuner :
We also use the tuners to tune the violin. Pegs are also used for tuning when the string is at least a half note out of tune but the tuners are used when the string is less than a half note out of tune. For more experienced players, you will find that their violins are not equipped with fine tuners on A, D or G strings; only E string is equipped with a fine tuner. This is because E string is the most fragile and requires the most care during tuning.

Bow :
The bow consists of a stick with a ribbon of horsehair strung between the tip and frog (or nut, or heel) at opposite ends. The length of a bow is 73 cm. It may weigh between 55 amd 65 g, the normal weight currently being 60 g.


Pictures below show you violin anatomy well :