Trivia
Is the chinrest the unsung hero of the violin?
Violinists put their chin on the chinrest and tuck the violin in the crook of their neck to support the instrument. The chinrest is indispensable for the support of the instrument, but it was invented only in the 1820s. The inventor of the chinrest, composer Louis Spohr, contributed to the development of modern violin performance techniques. According to Spohr, prior to his invention, the violin was not tucked under the neck but was supported by the collar bone.
In fact, the invention of the chinrest had broad implications for performance techniques. As a result, fingerings, position changes, and vibrato techniques that had been difficult to perform up through the classical period became easier, and the range of expression grew. Put another way, the phrases that were difficult to perform in the pre-chinrest period became easy to perform after the invention of the chinrest. This simple invention not only changed performance techniques but could be said to have had a wider influence on music itself.
Musical Instrument Guide : Violin Contents
Origins
Structure
How to Play
How the Instrument is Made
Choosing an Instrument
Care and Maintenance
Trivia
- The f-hole used to be a C-hole or S-hole
- Why the f-hole?
- Violinists must bow to the horse
- Steel strings or gut strings? That is the question
- Is the chinrest the unsung hero of the violin?
- Most violin varnishes are also medicines
- Violin masterpieces: Solos I
- Violin masterpieces: Solos II
- Violin masterpieces: Solos III
- Violin masterpieces: Concertos I
- Violin masterpieces: Concertos II
- Viola masterpieces: Chamber music
- Viola masterpieces: Concertos
- Cello masterpieces: Concertos I
- Cello masterpieces: Concertos II
- Cello masterpieces: Solos
- Contrabass masterpieces: Concertos
- Contrabass masterpieces: Chamber music
- Orchestral masterpieces featuring the contrabass
- What do you call the part on the bow that you hold?