Violin

The violin is the highest-sounding member of the string family. Like all other string instruments, the sound is produced on a violin by either plucking or bowing the strings. The violin is hollow and made of thin wood which resonates when the strings vibrate. When playing, the violin is rested on the left shoulder, fingered with the left hand, and plucked or bowed with the right hand. Because of its high sound, the violin typically plays the melody in the orchestra.
 * Violin ** 

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Here is a video of famous violin soloist Itzhak Perlman performing a piece called Slavonic Dances with cellist Yo Yo Ma. You may have heard and seen these two musicians perform at President Obama's inauguration this year. Listen to the difference in sound between the violin and the cello! The cello plays the melody first and the violin plays second.

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 * Some famous Violinists are Jascha Heifitz, Pinchas Zukerman, and Ithak Perlman.
 * If you like the sound of the violin but think you might enjoy a slightly lower-sounding instrument, you might enjoy the viola.
 * If you want to play a string instrument but want to play an instrument with a much lower sound, you should try the cello.
 * Trvia: Modern violin and viola strings are made of steel, but historically, these instruments were strung with something called "gut" strings. These strings were made of...you guessed it, real animal guts! The strings you use today are all made of steel!