When we hear the word Orchestra or opera, the first musical instrument that comes to our mind is Violin. The violin is a complicated and powerful instrument that has been used for many centuries in classical music. If you ask why violin is the best instrument, the simple answer is, a violin can be played in many ways and it produces a wide range of music. Playing the violin demands a lot of hard work because it calls for excellent left and right-hand coordination as well as dexterity.
The violin belongs to the string family of musical instruments, it has a long and fascinating history that dates back to the early 16th century. It is believed that renowned lute maker Andrea Amati created it in Italy. Numerous renowned violin makers, including Antonio Stradivari, Guarneri del Gesù, and Carlo Bergonzi, contributed to the violin’s development and improvement over time. It is a vital part of classical music and is performed in orchestras, chamber music groups, and by solo performers.
Violin- The Queen of musical instruments:
The violin has always been considered special and valuable by musicians from all over the world. The famous Stradivarius violin known as the “Lipinski” was smuggled out of Poland during World War II by a Jewish violinist Bronislaw Huberman. He feared that the Nazis would destroy it. Years later it was sold and now it is played by the Virtuoso violinist Pinchas Zuckerman.
Niccolo Paganini, an internationally renowned violinist, was so gifted at playing the violin. People believed that he sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his amazing musical talent.
A magnificent red violin was created by Italian violin maker Nicolo Bussotti in the late 1600s. A popular folklore was, he filled the violin with his blood. People believed the violin had a unique and deep sound because of his blood. The violin was eventually purchased by a collector in the seventeenth century and then through several owners it travelled the whole world. Nicolo’s violin served as the inspiration for the 1998 movie “The Red Violin”.
When the Titanic ship sank in 1912, Wallace Hartley, the leader of the Titanic band, played the violin that he had gotten as a present from his fiance. The violin was found in the wreckage and was sold at auction for millions of dollars.
Benefits of Playing Violin:
There are numerous benefits of playing violin.
- Improved physical agility
- Reduced stress
- Heightened social connections
- Emotional expression
- Better listening skills
- Appreciation for different cultures.
No matter whether you are a beginner or an expert, it will be a relaxing and fulfilling activity as the benefits of playing violin are beyond the realms of music.
Improved motor skills:
A high level of coordination between the hands and fingers is required to play the violin. This helps to improve the motor skills of children. Regular practice of the violin will improve hand-eye coordination and overall physical dexterity. In the process of learning to play the violin, children need to concentrate on holding the bow properly and moving it across the strings smoothly. Simultaneously they use their fingers to play different notes on the fingerboard.
Increased creativity:
If your kid thinks out of the box, experiments with new ideas, and develops a unique style for them, you would love it right. Studies show that learning a musical instrument at a young age improves creativity. A child who is learning to play the violin will create melodies and experiment with different bowing techniques.
Enhanced emotional intelligence:
Emotional intelligence is another skill that can be developed through music. The art of playing the violin can help kids in understanding and effectively express their feelings. Music can inspire a variety of emotions. For example, a young violin student might decide to play a sad tune when they are feeling depressed or cheerful, energetic music when they are feeling happy.
Improved brain functions:
If you ask how does playing the violin affect the brain, it is proven that learning the violin has structural and functional effects on the brain. A study revealed that professional violinists have larger and more symmetrical motor and auditory cortices compared to other humans.
Executive functions such as planning, attention, and problem-solving are improved through playing the violin. When we play music, Dopamine is released in the brain. Positive emotions are produced because of this dopamine, which improves mood and emotional health.
Increased Confidence:
The most important one among the benefits of learning violin is it can help kids to build confidence and self-esteem. Kids will start to feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in their abilities, as they practice and improve in playing violin. A stage performance will help them to handle nervousness and anxiety. A child practising violin for months may feel nervous before stepping onto the stage for their first performance, but once they have finished playing, they will feel proud of themselves for overcoming the stage fear.
Improved cognitive abilities:
Learning to read sheet music, understand musical notation, and perform in time, these tasks in the process of learning violin require a high level of concentration and focus. Hence the cognitive abilities of kids are developed by learning violin. Studies have revealed that children who learn to play a musical instrument typically score better in math and science. So, if your kid is interested in music, stop worrying about his marks and encourage him.
Improved social skills:
As music is a wonderful non-verbal language, children can have opportunities to make friends, work as a team, and develop empathy. If a kid playing violin joins a music band or orchestra, he will get a chance to collaborate with other musicians and meet new people.
Increased cultural awareness:
Last but not the least one among benefits of playing violin, while learning music kids are exposed to different types of music from different cultures and traditions. This will help them to understand and appreciate other cultures in the world and broaden their thoughts. A child learning to play a traditional folk tune of South India may develop an interest in South India’s history and culture.
We hope this blog would have helped you understand why violin is the best instrument. At EuroSchool, we encourage our students to participate in music programmes and activities because we place a high value on the learning of music. We think that a good music education programme can benefit kids’ academic and general achievement in addition to developing their love of music. Visit EuroSchool to know more.
