Classical Music

The violin is the highest pitched instrument belonging to the violin family. The violin family also includes other stringed instruments like the viola, bass, and cello. The violin and all the instruments in the violin family have the same shape and are most often played with a bow. All of the instruments in the violin family have four strings, tuned to various notes. The strings of the violin are tuned to G, D, A, and E. Considered by most to be the greatest violin virtuoso of all time, Nicolò Paganini developed many techniques of playing the violin. Some of his most common techniques are: pizzicato, which is plucking the strings; playing in the higher positions, moving you hand up the finger board on a string to get higher notes; and cords, playing two or three notes at the same time on different strings.

There are many different parts of the violin. (Refer to the labeled picture of a violin.)

• Body - the main part of the instrument
• Scroll - just a decorative piece.
• Pegs - used for the gross tuning of the instrument.
• Finger Board - the wooden board onto which the strings are pressed.
• Strings - usually made of metal - they help make the sound
• Bridge - holds the strings away from the body and each other - makes bowing easier
• F-holes - they let sound out
• Tailpiece - holds the strings to the body - goes over the tail of the instruments
• Tuning Adjuster - also called the Fine Tuners - used for the fine tuning of the instrument
• Chinrest - where the violinist puts their chin when they are playing
• Sound Post - very important to the sound quality of the instrument - a small dowel located close to the bridge and inside of the violin (you can usually see it through the f-holes)
• Bow - a wooden stick stung with horse hair - helps to make the sound

Medieval music was characterized by early church music and Gregorian Chant. Polyphony was developed during this period.
Renaissance music was characterized by the development of chorale or the hymn. During the Renaissance music was allowed only in churches and royal courts. The predecessors of modern musical instruments were developed. The most famous composer of this time is Palestrina.
Baroque music was highly stylized formal music. The most famous composer of this time is J.S. Bach.
Classical music was simplistic formal music. During this time period modern musical instruments were developed. The two most famous composer of this time are Mozart and Beethoven.
Romantic music was more free and expressive. The most famous composer of this time is Chopin.
Impressionism explored the use of new cords to evoke pictures in the listner's mind. The most famous composer of this time is Debussy.
20th Century Music has further explored tonality. The composers of this time would include Enya, Elvis, and many others.

Scott's Chopin Home Page
Excite Search Results for: classical music
Classical Music
Hiroki Tamaki's Home Page-mostly about the violin
Mark O'Connor-a very good violinist/fiddler
Music Search-a search engine just for music
Violink
Violin Making by Hans Jóhannson-lots of interesting info
Classical Music-lots of good music files
The Virtual Opera House
The Virtual Opera House
Carnegie Hall: Main Menu
CultureFinder: The On-line Address for the Performing Arts
Classical Music - Classical Net Home Page - Classical Music
BMG: Classics World
Classical Insites

If you have any questions or comments email me at virtuose@geocities.com