How to Identify Parts of the Violin

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By sarahjean58
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violin

The first step in learning to play violin is to learn the parts of the instrument.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

violin
yourself

Step 1

Scroll

The first part is the scroll. This is a decorative part of the instrument that if you look at from the side you will see that it looks like a piece of a scroll of paper.
Step 2

Pegs

Next are the pegs. These are used to tune the instrument. As a beginner you should either have your teacher do this. Also, you could go to a violin shop and have them tune it for a fee.
Step 3

Peg box

Next is the peg box. It is where you will see the strings wound up by the pegs.
Step 4

Nut

Next is the nut. It is the raised part between the pegbox and fingerboard.
Step 5

neck

Next is the neck.
Step 6

Strings

The next parts are the strings. These are what the violinist either plucks or plays on with the bow. The order from highest to lowest is G-D-A-E. Great Danes Always Eat.
Step 7

The fingerboard is the black part that I am pointing to.

The next part is the fingerboard. This is where the violinist puts their left hand fingers when they play.
Step 8

F hole

After that is the F hole. The F hole is given that name because it is a hole that looks like a lower case f. This is where the sound comes from.
Step 9

Bridge

Next is the bridge. This holds the strings up over the fingerboard so that when we put our fingers down the pitch will change. If this falls put your instrument back in its case and have your teacher or a violin shop put it back on.
Step 10

Peek inside your f-hole and you should be able to see your sound post.

The next part is the sound post. The sound post a small wooden dowel inside the instrument under bridge. It serves as a support the violin, transfers sound from the front to the back plate and changes the tone of the instrument by changing the vibration of the plates. If this falls put your instrument back in your case and go to a violin shop to have it repaired.
Step 11

I only have one but you should have four fine tuners.

After that are the fine tuners. These can be used to change the pitch of the string slightly.
Step 12

Tailpiece

Next is the tailpiece. This holds the fine tuners and helps to keep all of the parts of the violin together.
Step 13

My violin is a mirror image of yours. Don't switch you chin rest to the other side.

After that is the chin rest. I like to call it a jaw rest because really your jaw is more on it than anything. This makes it more comfortable to hold your instrument.
Step 14

My hands are on the shoulders.

Next are the shoulders or upper bout. This is where you will be putting your left hand while you are just learning how to play.
Step 15

The End (button)

The last part is the end button. This is what holds the strings, bridge, and tailpiece on.

Comments

bean1979 said

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on 8/3/2008 Great images!

Cherst1031 said

on 8/1/2008 This is very helpful. As a parent of a band student, I am embarassed by how little I know about music, instruments, or performing. Any help is appreciated :)