The violin is a four stringed instrument played with a bow and is the smallest, highest pitched member of the violin family which also includes the larger violas and cellos. This classic instrument has hardly changed in the four hundred years it has been around.
The sound that a violin produces is the result of bringing over seventy parts together; even the varnish used to finish the instrument can affect the final sound as ancient master builders such a Stradivarius found. A violin is available in three sizes; half, three quarter and full size. These versatile stringed instruments can even be fitted with an electronic pickup so that the sound can be amplified.