Violin History is
the topic which many historians, musicians or
experts are interested in, but until today the
origin and ancestors of violin are still mysteries.
There were, however, many precursors to the violin.
Some, such as the Ravanstron, the Rabab and the
Rebec have been around since 5000 B.C. There are
several others whose names are not known, also
dating back to a few thousand B.C. Let us take
a trip to find out some hints.
In Europe, violin history can be traced back
to the 9th century, with its original possibility
in Asia. The primitive form of the stringed instruments
is the musical bow from which an arched stick
held by a taut string tied to its two ends. The
string is divided by a loop or bridge. In order
to enhance its resonance, the primitive bow was
held before the mouth. In the more evolved forms,
resonance enhancers included coconut, calabash
(a hollowed out, dried gourd generally used as
a recipient), tortoise shells, wooden boxes or
pig bladders that were thrust tightly between
the strings and the bow.
By the Middle Ages, around the 11th century, violin history indicates that the vielle and the rote
(more known precursors) had come into existence,
they were discovered as a simple reproduction
of the ancient zither. Around
this time, a fingerboard was added to the instrument,
allowing it to be bowed rather than simply plucked.
It also allowed the fingers to shorten the strings
to produce various tones. A fingerboard
was placed between the sound-box and the upper
transversal bar of the zither.
The Ravanastron: this
instrument is said to have belonged to a sovereign
of India 5000 years before Christ.
The Rabab or Rebab:
from northern Indian musical instrument of the
lute family, played in classical dance orchestras
and as a solo instrument with tabla (drums) and
tamboura (drone-lute) from about 950. It is played
either by plucking or by bowing. (very ancient,
it was played in Persia, in Arabia and in North
Africa).
The Rebec: dates back
to the thirteenth century (Arabian, Oriental)
contains soprano, alto, bass members in family
three strings, tuned in 5ths strings secured and
tightened by pegs laterally inserted into peg
box, no frets, body shaped like half a pear, neck
and peg box are integral parts of the body, playing
position at the breast or neck, bowed, held overhand,
no sound post.
The
rubebe or rebel or rebec was brought to southern
Europe in the Middle Ages by Muslim merchants
and artists, and many other more or less rudimentary
instruments dating back to ancient times are considered
to be interesting precursors of the violin. They
provided for the uniform fifth tuning system which
contributed to a more consistent fingering technique,
had fewer strings, and had the lateral tuning
pegs which are easier to tune. During the 10th
and 11th centuries the rote was widely used in
all of central Europe. It was later replaced by
the vielle in the 12th century.
Violin History in the twelfth century indicates
the last evolution of the vielle. It was, at that
time, similar to a modern guitar in cut. It was
a widely used instrument during this period due
to its ease of handling, its wide tonal range,
and the ease of playing the scales. Also around
this time, the instrument went from having one
or two strings to having three or four. Some even
had five, which stayed in existence until the
16th century. At that time, the four-string –
true – violin became more prominent.
Throughout
the 11th and 12th centuries, violin history indicates
other predecessors had advancements. Ribs were
added to the instrument, as well as the tailpiece
and bridge. This allowed the instrument to be
bowed rather than just plucked. This new, advanced
instrument became known as the Renaissance viol,
which had two round (later crescent-shaped) sound
openings.
Violin history before 1500 indicates that three
other instruments appeared, one of which, the
viola da gamba (held on or between the knees)
is still sometimes played today. Another was a
bowed instrument called the lire da braccio. The
third is called the viola da braccio, which is
the direct predecessor of the violin.
The
viola da braccio had (originally) three or four
strings. Eventually it became a four-stringed
instrument all the time. It adopted other modern
characteristics, such as the pegbox and tuning
in fifths. This method of tuning allows the instrumentalist
to use four fingers, which is ideal for small
arm instruments. The shape of the sound holes
also changed from crescents to the f shape of
today, and became known as f-holes.
At what moment did the violin leave the viola
da braccio family? According to violin history
it is difficult to say ...
Links
to Other Sources of Violin History:
