Anyone play the violin?

[sjaguar13]

I'm thinking about getting one of those electric violins just for fun, but I don't know anything about them. Anyone ever play one, or know anything about them? How hard is it to play?

[scottboyher]

What will be the purpose; recording or live performance?

[sjaguar13]

I never played before in my life. I won't be doing either anytime soon, but recording is more likely.

[Mark7]

How do you intend to record it if you don't play it Are you hoping a raggle taggle Gypsyo will come strolling by and suddenly be struck by the fiddling Joneses?

[sjaguar13]

If you read my post, I said I won't be recording or playing live anytime soon. I might record something someday, but I would probably never play it in front of a crowd.

[maestro_dmc]

You will want to get a regular violin for recording, the pick-up versions never give the accurate sound at all, same as Acoustic guitar pickups (I'm a guitar player), but worse.
The "sound" of a violin is inherant to the resonance of the entire body of the instrument, that is why violins are usually not close miced, to pickup the sound of the whole instrument.

That is why good feedback resistent pickups do not sound like a real violin, because they isolate the vibration of the string from the rest of the body of the violin.

I have seen and heard live an instrumental duet of pan flute and violin, where the electric violin was plugged into a heavy delay and reverb before hitting the PA, and it masked the "fakenees" some, and actually sounded quite cool (for 1 or 2 songs )

Another whole issue is the actual playing of the instrument. Not an easy one to master, even if you get an early start. My church worship team has a violinist who has been playing most of his life, and even he still has squeaks, and off pitch notes more often than he (or the rest of us) would like.

I tried it myself a couple of times, because it looked like fun,

Needless to say, the neighbors called animal control on me.

[Track Rat]

Try to get in touch with a guy that hangs out here that goes by Davidk. He's a VERY pro level player. He can dial you in on just about anything violin.

[sjaguar13]

My friends and I were talkingn about violins and thought it wouild be cool to have. We are going to suck and thought we could just turn down an electric, so animal control isn't called on us. Electrics cost more than we thought, though. Acoustics aren't that bad, but I don't really want people to hear me suck.

[scottboyher]

You should stick with an acoustic for the future when you decide to record. Track is right about talking to DavidK. I believe he even has some posts in the MP3 clinic if you want to listen.

I have a fiddle that I started with about 10 years ago and I still suck. It is a more difficult instrument than I had in mind and admire anyone who has become proficient on this instrument.

Good luck and don't give up!

[mocharock]

No I do not play the Violin but I do play the cello, and yes you do Mic it up close. It is hard to play getting the proper tone with out bumping the mic as well.

[maestro_dmc]

Originally posted by mocharock
No I do not play the Violin but I do play the cello, and yes you do Mic it up close. It is hard to play getting the proper tone with out bumping the mic as well.

With an Omnidirectional, mic though, right?

Of course for live application, in a loud band situation, I would (and do) close mic it (violin, cardioid SDC) , but not for recording.

[darrin_h2000]

You should PM Gascap, hes likely the best string guy on the boards. DavidK also plays violin for a few acts like REM. Good advise from those two.

[Michael Jones]

Just get it!
And have FUN.

[MISTERQCUE]

Originally posted by Michael Jones
Just get it!
And have FUN.

I agree!! What EVER instrument tickles your fancy and you wanna play it, go for it!!!!




BTW, are you 13 yrs old!!??