Violin

A violin and bow in its case

The violin is a string instrument which has four strings and is played with a bow.
The strings are usually tuned into the notes G, D, A, and E. It is held between
the left collar bone (near the shoulder) and the chin. Different notes are made
by fingering with the left hand while bowing with the right. It has no frets or
other markers.
The violin is the smallest and highest pitched string instrument typically used in
western music. A person who plays the violin is called a violinist. A person
who makes or repairs violins is called a luthier.
The violin is important in European and Arabian music. No other instrument
has played such an important part in Europe. The modern violin is about 400
years old. Similar string instruments have been around for almost 1000 years.
By the time the modern orchestras started to form in the 17th century, the
violin was nearly fully developed. It became the most important orchestral
instrument. Nearly every composer wrote for the violin. It is used as
a solo instrument, in chamber music, in orchestral music, folk music, and
in jazz. The violin is the most popular instrument for children[source?].
The violin is sometimes called a “fiddle”. Someone who plays it is a “fiddler”.
There is even a verb, to “fiddle", which means “to play the fiddle”. This word
can be used as a nickname for the violin. It is properly used when talking
about folk music.