Suren Gasparyan's Blog: The History of the Musical Instrument

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

The History of the Musical Instrument

Violin History © srg blog begins about the history of musical instruments.

source: http://violin.koopal.com

Violin History is the topic which many historians, musicians or experts are interested in, but until today the origin and ancestors of violin are still mysteries. There were, however, many precursors to the violin. Some, such as the Ravanstron, the Rabab and the Rebec have been around since 5000 B.C. There are several others whose names are not known, also dating back to a few thousand B.C. Let us take a trip to find out some hints.

In Europe, violin history can be traced back to the 9th century, with its original possibility in Asia. The primitive form of the stringed instruments is the
musical bow from which an arched stick held by a taut string tied to its two ends. The string is divided by a loop or bridge. In order to enhance its resonance, the primitive bow was held before the mouth. In the more evolved forms, resonance enhancers included coconut, calabash (a hollowed out, dried gourd generally used as a recipient), tortoise shells, wooden boxes or pig bladders that were thrust tightly between the strings and the bow.

By the Middle Ages, around the 11th century, violin history indicates that the vielle and the rote (more known precursors) had come into existence, they were discovered as a simple reproduction of the ancient zither. Around this time, a fingerboard was added to the instrument, allowing it to be bowed rather than simply plucked. It also allowed the fingers to shorten the strings to produce various tones. A fingerboard was placed between the sound-box and the upper transversal bar of the zither.

The Ravanastron: this instrument is said to have belonged to a sovereign of India 5000 years before Christ.

The Rabab or Rebab: from northern Indian musical instrument of the lute family, played in classical dance orchestras and as a solo instrument with tabla (drums) and tamboura (drone-lute) from about 950. It is played either by plucking or by bowing. (very ancient, it was played in Persia, in Arabia and in North Africa).

The Rebec: dates back to the thirteenth century (Arabian, Oriental) contains soprano, alto, bass members in family three strings, tuned in 5ths strings secured and tightened by pegs laterally inserted into peg box, no frets, body shaped like half a pear, neck and peg box are integral parts of the body, playing position at the breast or neck, bowed, held overhand, no sound post.

The rubebe or rebel or rebec was brought to southern Europe in the Middle Ages by Muslim merchants and artists, and many other more or less rudimentary instruments dating back to ancient times are considered to be interesting precursors of the violin. They provided for the uniform fifth tuning system which contributed to a more consistent fingering technique, had fewer strings, and had the lateral tuning pegs which are easier to tune. During the 10th and 11th centuries the rote was widely used in all of central Europe. It was later replaced by the vielle in the 12th century.

Violin History in the twelfth century indicates the last evolution of the vielle. It was, at that time, similar to a modern guitar in cut. It was a widely used instrument during this period due to its ease of handling, its wide tonal range, and the ease of playing the scales. Also around this time, the instrument went from having one or two strings to having three or four. Some even had five, which stayed in existence until the 16th century. At that time, the four-string – true – violin became more prominent.

Throughout the 11th and 12th centuries, violin history indicates other predecessors had advancements. Ribs were added to the instrument, as well as the tailpiece and bridge. This allowed the instrument to be bowed rather than just plucked. This new, advanced instrument became known as the Renaissance viol, which had two round (later crescent-shaped) sound openings.

Violin history before 1500 indicates that three other instruments appeared, one of which, the viola da gamba (held on or between the knees) is still sometimes played today. Another was a bowed instrument called the lire da braccio. The third is called the viola da braccio, which is the direct predecessor of the violin.

The viola da braccio had (originally) three or four strings. Eventually it became a four-stringed instrument all the time. It adopted other modern characteristics, such as the pegbox and tuning in fifths. This method of tuning allows the instrumentalist to use four fingers, which is ideal for small arm instruments. The shape of the sound holes also changed from crescents to the f shape of today, and became known as f-holes.

At what moment did the violin leave the viola da braccio family? According to violin history it is difficult to say ...