The violin is a four stringed, hollow body instrument that is held horizontally and balanced between the chin and shoulder. It averages between 48 - 59 cm in length. The instrument is played by fingering the neck and running a bow back and forth across the strings. The strings can also be plucked by bare fingers and thumb.
Violins have a wide range of applications in music from Orchestral to Country fiddle and Heavy Metal.
When you borrow a violin from RPL, you will receive it in a case to protect it. You will also receive a bow, a rosin block, a shoulder rest and a tuner.
An instrument in good condition makes better music. Please see our Care and Respect video below, to learn how to take care of the violin while you have it.
Never played before? No problem! You can also access free step-by-step video lessons for a variety of instruments through our digital services:
LinkedIn Learning
Gale Courses
Kanopy
Instrument photos courtesy of Vancouver Public Library. Care video courtesy of Toronto Public Library
Videos
Tutorials
• Learn to Play the Violin (series of lessons on Youtube)
• Free Fiddle Lessons (lessons from Julia Plumb on Youtube)
Helpful Links
• Violin Online (free violin music, use and care tips and basic instruction)
• The Violin Site (information about violins and free violin sheet music)
Helpful Apps
• Tuner Lite (iTunes) (violin tuner)
• Tuner gStrings Free (Google Play) (violin tuner)
• Trala: Learn Violin (iTunes) (lessons)
• MyOngaku (iTunes) (Suzuki practice lessons)
• Violin Lessons with Florence Altenburger (iTunes) (beginner lessons)