Archive for the ‘Fiddles’ Category
What is a Bass Fiddle?
The bass fiddle, also known as the double bass, string bass, upright bass, bass violin or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra. The bass fiddle is a staple of Western classical music. Jazz, blues, bluegrass, country, and folk music genres also utilize the deep sound of the bass fiddle. Though many people are familiar with seeing a bass fiddle plucked, usually as part of a walking bass line in jazz music, the bass fiddle is built for bowing.
It is unclear if bass fiddles are descended from the viola de gamba or the violin, but traditionally are associated with the violin family. If you think that a bass fiddle looks like an oversized violin, you would be correct. Bass fiddle construction is nearly identical in construction to other violin family instruments. The bass has a bridge, f-holes, tailpiece, scroll, and a sound post just like a traditional violin. Despite the similarities to a violin, there is no set standard way to construct a bass fiddle, so the sound and look can vary instrument to instrument.
Let the familiar sounds of pennywhistles, fiddle strings, bodrans and Gaelic words bring you back to your Celtic roots even if it’s just in your imagination. Traditional Irish music will soothe your senses and evoke wonderful memories of growing up in, or maybe visiting your beloved Ireland. You have much to choose from with the varied artists of Celtic music.
Listen to the hauntingly beautiful voices of Enya and Loreena McKennitt. Jam with the wonderful sounds of the most popular Irish band made up of the Corrs siblings. Dance to the merry tunes of The Chieftains, and tap your feet to the popular Irish jigs courtesy of Lunasa. Irish music is a blend of wonderful melodies created by talented artists. You will be glad to bring home one or more albums to listen to.
The term fiddle is used to describe a wide range of bowed instruments. While the definition of fiddles is somewhat ambiguous, it now usually refers to a violin-type instrument. The earliest versions of the fiddle (bowed instruments) appeared in Asia in roughly 3000 BC.
Today the fiddle is a staple in bluegrass music. Although it closely resembles the violin, the two have a vastly different price range. Typically, the fiddle produces a more twangy and rustic sound than the classical violin.
While it is commonly believed to be a specific instrument, fiddles can be any bowed string instrument. A violin, viola and cello, all a part of the violin family, may sometimes be referred to by their players as a fiddle.
Over the years, there have been a number of clichés used to describe the differences between a fiddle and a violin. Three of those clichés include: “When you are buying it, it’s a fiddle. When you are selling it, it’s a violin.” “What’s the difference between a violin and a fiddle? About $10,000.” “A violin uses strings and a fiddle uses strangs.”