Anatomy of the Violin

One of the foremost important topics to discuss when introducing the violin to a group of young violin beginners is the parts of the violin. It is important for kids to not only identify the major parts of the violin but also to identify where these parts are located, why these parts exist, how these parts contribute to the overall sound production of the instrument, and how to take care of these violin parts in such a way that it will ensure the relative maximum quality of sound even from the cheapest student violins.

Here are the major parts of the violin:

1. The Scroll - The scroll is located at the top of the violin. Considered as the head, the scroll seemingly has no purpose other than design or aesthetics. However, luthiers know better and use the snug nook of the scroll to hang the violin in the workshop while its varnish dries, and violin players use the same nook of the scroll to hang the instrument on their music stands while relaxing their hand during rehearsal breaks. The scroll keeps the violin in an upright hanging position and prevents the violin bridge and tuning pegs from being moved out of tune if the violin is simply placed on a laid-down position on its back.

2. The Peg Box - The peg box is located right below the scroll. This is where the tuning pegs are found.

3. The Tuning Pegs - The tuning pegs are the four knobs right on the left and right sides of the peg box. The tuning pegs are inserted into the holes found in the peg box so the violin strings may be hooked on the tuning peg's holes, wound and tuned. The tuning pegs are used for major tuning adjustments or when the difference in tone involves one note lower or higher.

4. The Neck - The violin neck is simply the narrow part of the violin connecting the scroll and the pegs to the body of the violin. This is the part where violinists place their left palms to support their finger's movements on the fingerboard when playing. The violin neck also holds the base for the fingerboard from the pegs to the violin's body. Without the violin neck, the fingerboard will not have a sturdy support, making playing impossible for violinists.

5. The Strings - There are four strings found on a traditional, classical violin. These strings are tuned on fifths. The first string and thinnest string is the E string. The second thinnest string is the A string found above the E string. The third string which is big and thick is the D string. The largest and thickest string with the most resonant and sonorous sound is the G string. The thicker the string, the lower the sound. The thinner the string, the higher the pitch. The strings make it possible for the violin to make a sound and their proper suspension on the bridge allow for proper tuning and playing.

6. The Bridge - The bridge is the small and thin piece of wood concaved downward. It is found standing and suspended by the strings in the middle of the body of the violin. It holds in proper suspension the four strings of the violin which is important for the strings to produce sound. Without the bridge, the violin strings will not be taut enough to make a sound. A violin bridge that is too low for its violin size will result to a low sound of the strings. A violin bridge that is too high for its violin size will result to higher string sound and more taut violin strings. It is important for the bridge to be in its proper height relative to the size of the violin as this affects the sound quality and even the durability of the strings.

7. The F-Holes - The F-holes are found halfway down the middle of the violin's body. These F-holes are found on either side of the violin's body, shaped like two holed letter Fs. These F-holes are considered as the mouth of the instrument where the sound can come out. No matter the suspension of the strings on the bridge, if the violin is without its F-hole, the sound will not come out. The sound will be muted and muffled. With the F-hole, the violin's sound becomes more sonorous, resonant and projected outward to its audience.

8. The Tailpiece - The violin tailpiece is the black, solid, Y-shaped piece found lowest on the violin. It holds and pulls the other end of the strings while the strings are in suspension on the bridge. Without the tailpiece, the strings will not be held in place and in suspension and the strings will not produce any sound.

9. The Chin Rest - The chin rest is the half-moon shaped pad found at the bottom of the violin. This is where the violin player positions his chin or jaw when playing the violin.

Violin playing especially for kids is a worthwhile experience. Violin playing can develop the child's aural, visual, mental and emotional abilities. The discipline that violin training requires also help to prepare them for future challenges. However, parents must realize that violin playing involves the actual handling of the instrument. Thus, it is important to teach and orient kids on its important parts, how these work, how to take care of these parts in order for it to function properly and to produce the best sound possible.