File:Special Shape Violins - Deutsches Museum (121281640+121281770).jpg

Special Shape Violins - Deutsches Museum (121281770+121281640)

description

Special Shapes of the Violin

It is certainly no pleasure to listen to a beginner learning to play the violin. This was the reason behind the invention of special practice violins. With its lower resonance, the sound small and thin, as a result, it is often referred to as the "non-speaking" violin.
The three-stringed rebec was still widely played and respected in the 16th century, often played at court at festive banquets. It was later adopted by beggarmusicians. It was only in the Balkans and in Italy that the rebec was still played at dance in country inns.
A "descendent" of the rebec is the pocket-fiddle, or pochette. The master would play it during dance lessons as he taught his pupils dance steps. Only a few sources document its use in ensembles.
Numerous attempts have been made to update the violin. In the 19th century, the Frenchmen [François] Chanot and [Félix] Savart as well as more recently Ernst Zoller created models noted by the music world, but which failed to produce lasting changes in the original design. The tonal properties of the classic violin are superior.
Bowed zithers, bowed melodions, and philomeles, although due to their shape attributable to the zither family, were popular dilettante instruments during the last century.