I know it`s a dumb question, but, what`s the diference between a fiddle, and a violin? Is there as much a diference as say a steel string guitar and a classical nylon string guitar? Or is it more like a steel string guitar and a banjo?


Junius

I don`t play the violin yet, but i think its just the type of music they play so fiddle and violin r the same insterment.

Yeah it`s just different styles on the same instrument.
But, a lot of fiddlers use steel strings and most violinsts use synthetic cores.

isn`t a fiddle just sort of ancient slang for violin ? i mean some people call it any violin a fiddle yet others call any fiddle a violin.
i suppose it has come to conatate seperate styles of playing and so on but that`s becuase the guys who developed say,forms of folk music prefered to call it a fiddle.
there is definately not the kind of technical differences you find between a nylon string guitar and banjo.in fact the practice in some celtic and country music of building up rosin on the bow to create a tinnier sound is really as different as they get.

I think there exists a difference between them, which is the size: a fiddle is a bit smaller than a violin.

No, they are the exact same instrument. And you don`t have to have steel strings, but a lot of fiddlers prefer them.

One of the main differences between the violin and the fiddle are that the fiddle has a lower bridge than the violin. That way you can play chords easier. Oh, and some fiddles have a slighter different shape of body.

I dont know about the bridges, but a fiddle and a violin are the same instrument. It`s just two differnt styles of playing.

The difference between a violin and a fiddle is..... attitude!!!

Actually... it`s style of playing. They are the same instrument. The only thing I did to my violin when I switched over to playing mostly fiddle music was to lower the bridge a bit. And now.... even when I play classical... I would never go back to a higher bridge!
Love the fiddle!
K.
http://www.folkfiddle.com

Sorry Yanks, old fellas... In Britain, Ireland, France and many other places I`m sure, a violin is a violin and a fiddle is a smaller, more folkloric instrument.

The only difference is how you play.

generally speaking i don`t think size has much to do with it...it is definitely the style, but i prefer the lowered bridge and different strings, so if you want to play the styles WELL i think the differences in the instrument are really beneficial... fiddling rocks my socks off

The violin and the fiddle DO have their differences. The fiddle has a lower bridge so you can play on 2 strings at once. And it is shaped a little bit different.

You can play chords on a regular bridge...

There is such a thing as a 5-stringed fiddle...not 5-stringed violin. But besides that, my guess is as good as anyone else`s. I`d probably say that it has a lot more to do with the type of music that is being played on the instrument.