Comments on: Everyman’s guide to the orchestra – episode no. 1: the violin

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:44:38 +0000

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.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:12:23 +0000

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!

By: aaron

aaron — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 01:58:36 +0000

saxophone on mental floss for music
please!!

By: rbonotto

rbonotto — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 15:55:55 +0000

waiting with interest for the viola episode…

By: iain010100

iain010100 — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 03:21:49 +0000

Very nice. Keep ‘em coming!

By: Mangesh

Mangesh — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 19:22:55 +0000

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…

By: Eric

Eric — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 20:04:21 +0000

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?

By: Richard Heimbrock

Richard Heimbrock — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 18:21:34 +0000

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!

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 16:44:10 +0000

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!