Ten Fun Questions About Violins and Fiddles – How Many Can You Get Right?
By: Arthur Haule So you think you know violins? Here are ten questions about violins, violinists, fiddles and such that’ll probably make you say “Ah Fiddlesticks!” How many will you get right? 1. You probably know that at one time violin strings were made of a substance called “catgut.” What was the major ingredient in catgut? 2. Although many parents find it a bit of a fight to get their violinist to practice, playing the violin is usually a non-contact sport. But the name of at least one part of a violin might remind you of boxing. What might that (those) part(s) be? 3. You’ve heard that Stradivarius violins can be very expensive. You’ve heard how rare they are and how well they are made. How many violins did Stradivarius make? 4. Violinist Mark Wood calls himself the “first heavy metal violinist.” He plays an innovative electric violin called a “Viper.” What notes are the strings on Mark’s Viper tuned to? (Hint…The Viper has more than 4 strings.) 5. Most violins are made of wood.
