Violin Vocabulary

Gradually accelerating the speed velocity of execution performance

Italian Terms

Structural science tracking sound generation movement containment properties inside closed chambers

Physics & Acoustics

The standard slow emotional movement position inside a classic concerto layout

Repertoire

A slow leisurely tempo indication for calm movements

Italian Terms

Playing with a restless hurried and deeply agitated expression style

Style & Expression

A fast brisk and cheerful speed instruction tempo

Italian Terms

The early Cremona master teacher who defined the modern violin shape

Luthier

Dynamic size property of audio vibration loops dictating loud or soft volume levels

Physics & Acoustics

The physical height of sound wave loops that dictates volume power levels

Physics

A moderate walking speed tempo marking direction

Italian Terms

Performance instruction to play with animated spirit and growing life

Style & Expression

Expressive direction to play with extreme fiery passion and romantic intensity

Orchestra

Directive to return to playing with the bow after plucking sections

Italian Terms

Notes of a chord played sequentially rather than simultaneously

Sheet Music

Playing with a static non changing bow placement zone strategy choice

Orchestra

The competitive trial performance process required to win a chair inside an orchestra

Orchestra

Composer of the immortal six unaccompanied sonatas and partitas for violin

Composers

The vertical lines that divide a musical staff into measures

Sheet Music

The largest deepest member of the orchestral string instrument family

Other Strings

Internal spruce rib reinforcement strut glued beneath the front low string plate side

Luthier Craft

An internal wooden rib glued along the underside of the top plate

Anatomy

Pulsing acoustic interference swell heard when two unison notes run slightly out of tune

Physics & Acoustics

Pulsing acoustic interference patterns heard when two pitches are slightly out of tune

Physics

Famous modern American concert violinist known for playing a prized Stradivari

Virtuosos

Silk or velvet protective pad sheet layering over violins inside storage boxes

Care & Gear

Internal support wood cubes reinforcing corners and neck joints within the body

Luthier Craft

Internal wooden corner and end structures that stabilize the violin frame joints

Luthier

The curved sections of the violin body shaped like upper lower or middle arcs

Anatomy

The unglued maple piece supporting strings and transferring vibration to the top

Anatomy

Tool used to lift strings up slightly while swapping or adjusting a bridge

Luthier

A melodic or harmonic chord progression configuration that concludes a musical phrase

Theory & Form

An elaborate unaccompanied virtuoso solo showpiece inside a concerto

Italian Terms

Highly precise measuring tool used to check plate thickness across wood surfaces

Luthier

Playing in a smooth flowing singing style line approach

Italian Terms

A whimsical fast complex piece designed to showcase solo technical limits

Composers

Molded protective travel carriage box guarding precious string instruments from shock impacts

Care & Gear

The tight narrow waist curve cutout area providing clearance space for bow paths

Luthier Craft

The inner inward-curving cutout section of the violin body shape

Anatomy

The large bass clef string instrument played held between knees

Other Strings

The monumental final movement of Bach second partita built on a ground bass

Repertoire

The specific ranked ranking seat assignment placement held by an orchestral player

Orchestra Gigs

Child prodigy who became a premier global classical concert violin soloist

Virtuosos

A shaped piece of wood or plastic clamped to the body to assist holding

Anatomy

Ascending or descending completely by half steps using all available semitones

Theory & Form

The final concluding section symbol design of a piece of music

Sheet Music

Striking the metal strings using the wooden stick part of the bow

Technique

Public performance event presentation showcasing prepared repertoire lists

Orchestra Gigs

The first chair lead violinist who directs orchestra tuning sessions

Other Strings

Large multi movement orchestral composition featuring a solo instrument

Composers

Fiery expression direction indicating intense passion and speed

Style & Expression

Harmonious pleasant combination of tones producing acoustic stability and restful blend

Theory & Form

Formal agreement outlining compensation and date expectations for orchestra hires

Orchestra Gigs

The internal foundational material layer of a string wrapped in metal winding

Accessories

Baroque pioneer who established modern violin playing mechanics and sonata forms

Virtuosos

Blending multiple independent melodic lines into a cohesive harmonic layer texture

Theory & Form

Catastrophic structural wood split separation damage caused by sudden impact drops or drying

Care & Gear

The famous Italian city historic epicenter of masterpiece violin creation

Luthier

A gradual increase in sound volume intensity level

Italian Terms

Reduction process stopping unwanted background audio frequencies by adding mass mute structures

Physics & Acoustics

The suppression of unwanted sound waves through wood thickness selection or muting pads

Physics

Brand name snake like green tube humidifier inserted directly into the f hole

Accessories

French teacher composer famous for short light student concertos and variation pieces

Study Repertoire

A shared music stand stand assembly shared by a pair of orchestral violinists

Orchestra

The standard back and forth separate bow stroke for every note change

Technique

A gradual decrease in sound volume softness level

Italian Terms

Harsh clashing acoustic combination of notes requiring resolution to stable intervals

Theory & Form

Instruction directing an orchestral string pair to separate and play separate notes

Orchestra Gigs

Italian term instructing the performer to play sweetly

Italian Terms

The fifth structural scale degree note step vital for chord progression resolutions

Theory & Form

Austrian composer of advanced complex study caprices prepping hands for Paganini works

Study Repertoire

Composer of advanced preparatory caprices that get students ready for Paganini

Pedagogy

Playing two independent notes simultaneously on adjacent strings

Technique

Moving the bow from the frog toward the tip direction

Technique

The long term seasoning curing phase raw wood plates must experience before carving

Luthier Craft

Dense black wood used to make fingerboards chinrests and pegs

Luthier

Extra bonus piece played at the very end following audience applause demands

Orchestra Gigs

The small button at the base of the instrument anchoring the tailpiece loop

Anatomy

General term for any coordinated group of musicians performing together as a unit

Orchestra

An instructional technical study piece designed for practicing specific skills

Composers

Directive to play with intense emotional expression and warmth

Italian Terms

Reaching a left-hand finger outside the standard position pattern frame

Technique

A symbol over a note instructing the player to hold it extra long

Sheet Music

The metal ring on the frog that spreads bow hair into a flat ribbon

Anatomy

The sound openings carved into the top piece of wood shaped like cursive letters

Anatomy

The thrilling final concluding movement closing out a multi section concerto work

Repertoire

A small metal screw attached to the tailpiece for micro adjustments

Anatomy

The long piece of ebony where the left hand presses strings down

Anatomy

The marking numbers indicating which specific finger to use on a note

Technique

Composer of thirty six foundational technical study caprices scaling intermediate student levels

Study Repertoire

Symbol indicating a pitch should be lowered by one half step

Sheet Music

Creator of the definitive technical mastery scale system framework model book used globally

Study Repertoire

Creator of the definitive massive scale system bible used by advanced students

Pedagogy

Dynamic marking indicating that a section should be played loudly

Italian Terms

The physical speed of sound wave vibrations determining the perceived acoustic note pitch

Physics

The heavy block at the base of the bow holding the hair and mechanism

Anatomy

Premier violin educator whose technique analysis manuals defined modern studio trends

Study Repertoire

Legendary Juilliard teacher who wrote Principles of Violin Playing and Technique

Pedagogy

Historical fretted leg instrument predecessor to the modern string family

Other Strings

Informal slang term for any freelance professional musical performance engagement task

Orchestra Gigs

Playful humorous and merry performance tone direction marker

Style & Expression

A continuous slide from one vocal pitch to another on the fingerboard

Technique

Chisel with a curved blade used for carving the violin top back scroll channels

Luthier

The slowest deepest and most solemn serious expression speed indicator

Style & Expression

The wrapping near the frog made of wire or leather for player finger placement

Anatomy

Acclaimed historic Italian making family known for deep dark sounding violins

Luthier

Modern American virtuoso famous for flawless technical precision and new music

Virtuosos

The string of unspun horse hair used to frictionize violin strings

Anatomy

High glassy tones produced by lightly touching strings at node points

Technique

Large triangular stringed instrument plucked with fingers inside orchestra

Other Strings

Widely considered the greatest 20th century violin virtuoso known for crisp precision

Virtuosos

Animal protein hot water soluble adhesive allowing seamless safe instrument disassembly repairs

Luthier Craft

Traditional water soluble protein glue used to assemble instruments

Luthier

Water holding tube or sponge accessory preventing dry room winter cracking damage

Care & Gear

Internal measurement gauge indicating safety moisture humidity levels inside instrument storage spaces

Care & Gear

Gauge used to track internal relative humidity percentages inside an instrument case

Accessories

Precision dual blade cutter blade knife used to trench channels for purfling strips

Luthier Craft

Small dual bladed cutting knife used to carve out precise trenches for purfling

Luthier

The specific distance measurement gap separating two unique pitch notes

Theory & Form

The accuracy of pitch or play tuning accuracy while performing notes

Technique

Close friend of Brahms who helped shape the classical violin performance standard

Virtuosos

Author of thirty six essential stepping stone etudes teaching basic bow positioning tricks

Study Repertoire

Composer whose thirty six elementary studies bridge beginners to advanced work

Pedagogy

Historic Viennese violin master known for sweet expressive vibrato and character pieces

Virtuosos

French violinist to whom Beethoven dedicated his most intense violin sonata

Virtuosos

Tempo instruction meaning slightly faster and less slow than a formal largo

Repertoire

Broad slow and stately tempo indication pace

Italian Terms

Small extra horizontal lines added for notes above or below the staff

Sheet Music

Smooth and connected bow strokes with no separation between notes

Technique

Interior structural reinforcement wood strips stabilizing rib and plate contact boundaries

Luthier Craft

Thin strips of willow or pine glued inside ribs to reinforce internal joints

Luthier

Pulsed separated notes contained within a single continuous bow stroke

Technique

A skilled artisan craftspersons who builds and repairs string instruments

Luthier

Majestic stately and grand performance delivery style guidance

Style & Expression

A plucked string instrument tuned exactly identical to a violin

Other Strings

The decorative hardwood used to craft violin backs ribs and necks

Luthier

Accent direction requiring each note to be heavily accented and defined

Style & Expression

A hammered bow stroke with a heavy click accent and clean release

Technique

A public lesson where a master artist critiques advanced student performances

Pedagogy

Composer of artistic melodious études intermediate students use to bridge technical skills

Study Repertoire

French composer who wrote beautiful melodious progressive studies for intermediate players

Pedagogy

The space between two vertical barlines containing set beat counts

Sheet Music

Massenet ultra famous gorgeous lyrical intermezzo solo piece from the opera Thais

Repertoire

Acclaimed 20th century master violinist conductor and human rights advocate

Virtuosos

A clicking device used to establish and measure exact steady tempo

Sheet Music

Specialized fine fabric dusting sheet wiping away oil skin sweat and rosin powders

Care & Gear

Soft weave cloth recommended for wiping away corrosive sweat and sticky rosin dust

Accessories

Japanese born single name prodigy turned global concert artist and educator

Virtuosos

The shifting transition process moving a composition from one key center into another

Theory & Form

Central layout wooden core template structure used to hold ribs during assembly

Luthier Craft

The internal wooden template form layout used to construct the shape profile ribs

Luthier

Dying away dynamic instruction where sound and speed fade out completely

Style & Expression

Classical prodigy who composed five legendary violin concertos in Salzburg

Composers

Small rubber or wooden device placed on the bridge to alter tone dynamics

Orchestra

Celebrated German violinist championed by Karajan famous for bold modern interpretations

Virtuosos

Symbol that cancels out a previous sharp or flat notation instruction

Sheet Music

The long wooden section extending from the body that supports the fingerboard

Anatomy

Zero point boundary spot along active strings allowing clear bright harmonics to sound

Physics & Acoustics

A point along a vibrating string that remains stationary producing clear clean harmonics

Physics

The small ridge of wood at the top of the fingerboard that slots the strings

Anatomy

The distance interval between two identical notes eight steps apart

Sheet Music

Mid century Soviet violin colossus famous for massive warm tone and authority

Virtuosos

The numbering system marker used by composers to catalog their published chronological output

Repertoire

Micro secondary harmonic tone ringing naturally above primary notes giving violins depth voice

Physics & Acoustics

Faint higher acoustic frequencies ringing naturally above the fundamental main played note

Physics

Mythic virtuoso composer of twenty four devilishly difficult violin caprices

Composers

A baroque suite collection of dance movements written for solo instrument

Composers

A wooden piece turned to tighten or loosen strings for tuning

Anatomy

The enclosure near the scroll where tuning pegs are inserted

Anatomy

Paste applied to pegs to prevent slipping while keeping smooth turning rotation

Luthier

Beloved Israeli American violin icon known for warm tone and teaching legacy

Virtuosos

The rare Brazilian wood prized as the ultimate material for master bows

Anatomy

Heavy and ponderous performance style requiring solid grounded bow weight

Style & Expression

A cohesive musical sentence structure forming a distinct melodic unit section

Theory & Form

Dynamic marking indicating a soft quiet sound execution

Italian Terms

Standard tuning calibration frequency center used to align section string harmony notes

Orchestra Gigs

Plucking the violin strings directly using fingers instead of bow

Italian Terms

Miniature thumb sized metal tool used to shave thin ribbons off raw wood plates

Luthier

Safe compound cleaner fluid used to scrub varnish grime layers off ancient violins

Care & Gear

Specialized cleaning liquid compound used to shine vintage varnish surfaces safely

Accessories

Textural style weaving multiple simultaneous lines of independent melody work

Theory & Form

The specific location of the left hand along the fingerboard framework

Technique

Extremely fast speed marking faster than allegro tempo

Italian Terms

The lead section string player who assigns bowings and plays solos

Orchestra Gigs

The elevated podium platform structure where the principal conductor stands during service

Orchestra

The inlaid decorative border running along the edges of the violin plates

Anatomy

Classic four person ensemble composed of two violins viola and cello

Other Strings

Five person performance group chamber ensemble setup configuration

Other Strings

Tapered steel fluted peg hole cutting tool shaping matching pegbox sockets precisely

Luthier Craft

Tapered metal tool turned inside a pegbox hole to size it perfectly

Luthier

A quick release action resetting the bow hair after a heavy stroke accent

Style & Expression

Crucial upkeep task removing weak brittle broken hairs to string fresh horsehair onto bows

Care & Gear

Maintenance process of replacing worn out fibers on a violin bow

Luthier

Structured group practice session held to refine performance timing details

Orchestra Gigs

Bold resolute and decisive performance expression delivery instruction

Style & Expression

Rich deep sound multiplication occurring when body air chambers match string vibration speeds

Physics & Acoustics

The echoing enrichment of sound when wood vibrates in perfect alignment with string

Physics

The thin pieces of bent wood forming the outer sides of the body

Anatomy

Dropping the bow to let it bounce repeatedly on a single motion

Technique

Gradually slowing down the speed of the music layout

Italian Terms

French master whose twenty four complex etudes touch every musical key signature layout

Study Repertoire

A lyrical slow sweet composition style favored by Beethoven and Dvorak

Repertoire

Sticky friction powder applied to bow hair made from pine resin

Anatomy

Expressive flexibility of tempo stealing time for artistic phrase

Italian Terms

Small ebony edge block protecting front plates from tailgut wire crushing forces

Luthier Craft

The small ebony block at the base that protects wood from tailgut tension

Anatomy

Nineteenth century Spanish violin virtuoso who composed the fiery Zigeunerweisen

Virtuosos

A fast bouncing stroke where the stick bounces due to natural elasticity

Technique

A light playful fast paced movement style translation meaning joke

Repertoire

Author of relentless continuous finger velocity pattern prints built to boost finger coordination

Study Repertoire

Renowned author of intense scale and dexterity finger coordination exercises

Pedagogy

Flexible micro burnished metal sheet smoothing out wood tool marks without sandpaper

Luthier Craft

Sharp flexible metal sheet used to smooth out raw wood tool marks instead of sandpaper

Luthier

The metal piece at the base turned to tighten or loosen bow hair

Anatomy

The carved wooden spiral at the very top of the violin neck

Anatomy

Joint glue boundary line point where ribs join front or back plate edges

Care & Gear

The informal title of Vivaldi group of four programmatic nature concertos

Repertoire

The collection group of violinists sitting and playing together inside an orchestra

Orchestra

The classic sign symbol mark used for navigate repeat instructions

Sheet Music

Italian meaning always used to sustain an instruction across a whole section

Style & Expression

Famous Czech method master author of shifting dexterity books and tone exercises

Study Repertoire

Czech pedagogy master who wrote rigorous systematic books for left hand mechanics

Pedagogy

Cutting block tool shaving raw pegs down to standard taper match layouts

Luthier Craft

Tool that shaves wooden pegs down to the exact matching pegbox angle taper

Luthier

Symbol indicating a pitch should be raised by one half step

Sheet Music

Sliding the left hand up or down the neck to change positions

Technique

Ergonomic support pad clamped to the back plate base to fill space under chin

Accessories

Playing with an open relaxed arm profile layout position during method training lessons

Study Repertoire

The challenging skill of playing a piece of music accurately on first sight

Pedagogy

The decorative mother of pearl strip covering the inner frog mechanism

Anatomy

A curved line indicating multiple notes played in one bow direction

Technique

A passage written for a single featured performer to execute alone

Italian Terms

Instrumental composition format for a violin typically paired with piano

Composers

A physical mute device placed on the bridge to dampen volume

Italian Terms

Sustaining note durations fully and smoothly across long phrase lines

Style & Expression

Alternative term for the internal support rib reinforcing the front spruce plate

Luthier

Internal cedar wood pillar column wedding back and top vibrations as an acoustic heart

Luthier Craft

The hidden internal wooden dowel transmitting sound vibrations to the back

Anatomy

Specialized scissor like metal hook tool used to manipulate and stand the soundpost inside

Luthier

An off the string bouncing bow technique controlled by the wrist

Technique

The type of resonant softwood always used for crafting violin top plates

Luthier

Short detached and cleanly separated bow strokes

Technique

The set of five horizontal lines where musical notes reside

Sheet Music

The physical equipment rack holding sheet music pages open for performance sight

Orchestra

The main wooden or carbon fiber shaft of a bow

Anatomy

The most famous historic Italian family maker of ultra premium violins

Luthier

Backpack line carrying harness system attached to heavy double violin flight cases

Care & Gear

The designated lesson room group collective space run by a private string teacher

Study Repertoire

Dynamic instruction telling the player to change volume suddenly and immediately

Repertoire

An ordered collection of instrumental dances or themed musical acts

Composers

Playing with the bow hair directly over or very near the bridge

Technique

Bowing over the fingerboard to produce a soft flute like tone

Technique

Famous Japanese educational method based on early childhood mother tongue immersion

Pedagogy

Large scale musical ensemble featuring large string wind brass groups

Other Strings

Rhythmic accent styling shifting the main beat focus onto unexpected weak beats

Theory & Form

High strength loop cord wire mounting the tailpiece structure securely over endpins

Luthier Craft

The strong loop wire cord that anchors the tailpiece over the endpin

Luthier

The triangular component anchored at the bottom holding string ends

Anatomy

Linear pull strain weight stretching high steel string lines up to concert pitches

Physics & Acoustics

The physical pulling force load exerted on strings when tuned up to pitch

Physics

The primary recognizable subject melody line anchoring a musical composition layout

Theory & Form

Unique color profile character definitions identifying individual instrument acoustic voices instantly

Physics & Acoustics

The unique tonal color or quality characteristics of an instrument signature voice

Physics

The pointed top end of the bow opposite the frog

Anatomy

The central foundational home note pitch degree of any musical scale framework

Theory & Form

Calm peaceful and tranquil performance execution styling request

Style & Expression

Applying specialized chemical washes or UV light boxes to age raw wood finishes

Orchestra

The clef symbol used for all written violin music notations

Sheet Music

Rapidly repeating a single pitch back and forth with the upper tip

Technique

Rapid alternation between a principal note and the note above it

Technique

Ravel spectacular Gypsy style rhapsody showpiece designed for virtuoso display

Repertoire

Small bundles of horsehair inserted securely into bow tip and frog housings

Orchestra

Section where the entire orchestra plays together rather than solo

Italian Terms

Performance state where the entire section plays the exact same pitch line together

Orchestra

Moving the bow from the tip toward the frog direction

Technique

The protective liquid coating applied to the raw wood of a violin

Anatomy

Dynamic Russian born virtuoso known for powerful interpretations and masterclasses

Virtuosos

Pulsing pitch modulation achieved by rocking the left-hand finger

Technique

The alto string instrument slightly larger and lower than a violin

Other Strings

Lively brisk and quick tempo energetic speed command

Italian Terms

Baroque composer who wrote the legendary violin concertos The Four Seasons

Composers

Prolific composer of sixty essential beginner etudes found in every studio

Pedagogy

Unwanted jarring acoustic beating node howling frequency found on specific cello notes

Physics