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In one of my early On Music posts, we explored the string section of the orchestra by listening to an excerpt from Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. Today, I thought we’d start to take a more in-depth look at a few of the important instruments of the orchestra, starting with the string section and the violin.
Rather than put up a dozen different soundbites to show off the many sounds of the violin, I enlisted my friend Sam Fischer, a freelance violinist and teacher here in Los Angeles, to do the dirty work for me. So sit back and enjoy the first On Music vlog posting. [note: this is a 2-part episode. In part 1, Sam shows off the violin. In part 2, Sam plays the Fugue movement of Bach's Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Minor. If you only want to watch part 2, click the forward arrow at the bottom of the player.]
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Very nicely done, Sam (and David!)
I got my intro to strings when I started dating my wife. She’s been playing violin & cello since primary school. I’ve always wanted to learn to play the cello (ever since watching AirWolf back in the ’80’s; the closing scenes were so cool!), but have accepted doing so vicariously through my eldest son, who plays very well. I may take lessons someday, but as I get older that becomes less and less likely.
The technique on the violin that has always amazed me is playing double-stop, or multiple strings simultaneously. A skilled violinist can make it sound like two violins playing harmony — amazing!
posted by Dave on 10-7-2007 at 10:44 am
This looks like the start of another great series! I’m a Horn player myself, but it’s great to get an insight on the methods of the other instruments and sections. This was very helpful in learning a bit more on the violin! Thanks!
posted by Richard Heimbrock on 10-7-2007 at 12:21 pm
That was fantastic. I used to play violin throughout elementary, middle, and high school. It’s been almost 10 years now.
How about a list of violin music we can go out and buy or download similar to the stuff Sam played?
posted by Eric on 10-7-2007 at 2:04 pm
Really great, David… I especially loved hearing the fancy pizzicato (sp?) stuff in the Paginini, and learning how much an expensive bow could cost. And I agree with Eric on the recommended music list! Looking forward to more installments…
posted by Mangesh on 10-9-2007 at 1:22 pm
Very nice. Keep ‘em coming!
posted by iain010100 on 10-9-2007 at 9:21 pm
waiting with interest for the viola episode…
rb
posted by rbonotto on 10-11-2007 at 9:55 am
saxophone on mental floss for music
please!!
posted by aaron on 12-5-2007 at 7:58 pm
Nicely done. I look forward to future installments!
I would like to encourage Dave (posting #1) to go ahead and start some cello lessons. I, too, had a long-held desire to learn the cello. I started lessons in my forties and it has been a source of great enjoyment. So you’ll never be Yo-Yo Ma, but you CAN play well enough to feed your soul!
posted by Suzanne on 1-23-2008 at 11:12 am
The Violin is even making its presence known in the hip-hop community. Check out the band Black Violin, compromised of two violinists who mash hip hop and r&b beats with classic violin stylings. They are very good and the music is very catchy and different from the classic violin use.
posted by Tom on 6-11-2008 at 4:44 pm