Ten Fun Questions About Violins and Fiddles - How Many Can You Get Right?

So you think you know violins? Here are ten questions1. Contrary to popular belief, catgut strings are NOT
about violins, violinists, fiddles and such that'll probablymade of cat innards, they are made of sheep
make you say "Ah Fiddlesticks!" How many will youintestines.
get right?2. The "sides" of a violin are called "bouts," another
1. You probably know that at one time violin stringsdefinition of which is, "a contest or trial of strength, as
were made of a substance called "catgut." What wasof boxing."
the major ingredient in catgut?3. Trick Question! How many violins did Stradivarius
2. Although many parents find it a bit of a fight to getmake? NONE. The famous luthier's name was Antonio
their violinist to practice, playing the violin is usually aStradivari, not Stradivarius.
non-contact sport. But the name of at least one part4. From highest to lowest, the strings on Mark's Viper
of a violin might remind you of boxing. What might thatare E, A, D, G, C, F, B-Flat. Seven strings!
(those) part(s) be?5. Typically there are three woods used in a violin. The
3. You've heard that Stradivarius violins can be veryback and bouts are maple. The belly, or table, is spruce,
expensive. You've heard how rare they are and howand the fingerboard/tailpiece/chinrest are made of
well they are made. How many violins did Stradivariusebony, or boxwood or rosewood.
make?6. On at least one occasion, Colonel Klink played the
4. Violinist Mark Wood calls himself the "first heavyviolin in his office.
metal violinist." He plays an innovative electric violin7. Paganini was the original "man in black." He was said
called a "Viper." What notes are the strings on Mark'sto be so good on the violin that many people
Viper tuned to? (Hint...The Viper has more than 4suspected he had made a pact with the devil to give
strings.)him that skill. His clothing choice did not help them
5. Most violins are made of wood. How many kinds ofchange their minds.
wood are there in most violins, and what woods are8. A song from the Broadway musical 1776 has
violins usually made of?Martha Jefferson sing about her husband.
6. Which character on the old television show Hogan'sHe plays the violin He tucks it right under his chin And
Heroes played the violin?he bows, oh he bows For he knows, yes he knows
7. Many people associate wearing black clothing withThat it's hi-hi-hi-diddle diddle It's my heart, Tom and his
singer Roy Orbison. Some call Johnny Cash, "the manfiddle My strings are unstrung Hi-hi-hi-hi I am undone
in black." What famous violinist from the past wasAmong other skills, future President Thomas Jefferson
notable for wearing all black clothing?was an accomplished violinist.
8. Three men were involved with writing the9. On a Hardanger violin, four strings are in the
Declaration of Independence which declared that thetraditional place above the fingerboard, and several
American colonies were independent from their Britishsympathetic strings are below the fingerboard.
rulers. One of the three was renowned for, among10. The violin is called the "King of Strings."
other things, playing the violin. Who?So, how many did you get correct? All ten? That's
9. Where are the strings on a Hardanger Violin?phenomenal! Have you considered a career teaching
10. The organ is often referred to as the "King ofmusic? Five? You're probably still above average! But
Instruments." What royal nickname is bestowed uponno matter how many you got correct, you've probably
the violin?learned something you didn't know about one of the
Well, those are my questions. How'd you do? Let'smost beloved instruments in the world, and that's a
take a look at the answers!good thing!