![]() This is done for a logical reason when you understand how a violin is played. These will be glued onto the top or soundboard of the uke at a specified distance from the nut, allowing for reasonably accurate intonation along the distance of the fretboard.Ī floating bridge alone will have very little impact on how an instrument can be played, but what sets the two apart from each other, is the violin and other members of the bowed family (violin, viola, cello, double bass and the forerunner, the viol) feature an arched bridge, allowing each string to sit a little higher or lower than it’s neighbor. Ukuleles, on the other hand, by and large feature a fixed bridge and saddle arrangement. This also applies to some styles of guitar and other fretted and bowed instruments. This is referred to as a floating bridge, meaning that it isn’t physically attached to the body of the instrument, but rather, it’s held in place by the tension of the strings. To understand where the majority of differences lie, you have to delve a little deeper into the basic architecture of both instruments. You’d think, therefore, it’d be quite easy to play a uke like a violin, or vice versa. Violins and ukuleles are similar in terms of size and the number of strings, along with very little difference in weight – although this can be variable, depending on the construction woods used and the basic design of a particular model. Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin has effectively dabbled in bowing his guitar, so you probably shouldn’t rule this one out, especially if you’re of an innovative disposition! Playing the Ukulele like a Violin It’s just about feasible on an electric uke with metal strings, but would still be a bit gimmicky. Reversing the question, could you bow a ukulele? Again this one should probably be filed away in the ‘don’t waste your time’ section. It’s a bit like using a screwdriver to knock a nail in – it might just about work, but wouldn’t be top of the list for effectiveness. You probably can strum a violin in some fashion, but don’t expect it to set the world alight. However, both instruments require very specific playing techniques, which largely preclude crossover between the two under all but the most unusual of circumstances. ![]() In theory, yes, you can play a ukulele like a violin, or play a violin like a ukulele. On the face of it, this seems a fairly unusual question, but if you’re new to stringed instruments in general, it is likely that a number of misconceptions might arise. Can a Ukulele Be Played Like a Violin? (And Vice Versa) ![]() Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: EG5 Jake Shimabukuro & Charles Yang () Jake Shimabukuro (Ukulele) and Charles Yang (Violin) duetting on George Harrison’s ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’. When I See an Elephant Fly – ‘Dumbo’ Soundtrack / Barbara Cook Only Love Can Break Your Heart – Neil Young The Last Cheater’s Waltz – Emmylou Harris Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen / Jeff Buckley The First Cut is the Deepest – Cat Stevens Which is Easier: The Ukulele or the Violin? What Are Some Good Ukulele Violin Duet Songs?Ī selection of great songs from varying musical genres which would suit a ukulele and violin:Īgua de Março (Waters of March) – Elis Regina & Tom Jobimĭream a Little Dream of Me – The Mamas & The Papas (Cass Elliot).Can a Ukulele Be Played Like a Violin? (And Vice Versa).What Are Some Good Ukulele Violin Duet Songs?.I’m delving a little deeper into the subject below and will hopefully answer some of the pertinent questions you may or may not have considered! No difference at all, except the term fiddle tends to be used more often within folk, bluegrass and country music circles. ‘I s there a difference between a violin and a fiddle?’ Vocals from one or both would augment the arrangements if you don’t want a purely instrumental interpretation.īefore I move on, one question that often comes up: How you interpret the music for this intriguing duo is up to you, but as a suggestion, the violin could play the melody, with the uke providing a rhythmic chordal or fingerstyle accompaniment. It’s not uncommon to encounter an ensemble or duo featuring violin and guitar or mandolin, banjo and guitar, particularly in a bluegrass setting The two instruments work beautifully together and provide a slightly subtler mix than a guitar and violin. I thought it might be a nice idea to spread our musical wings and explore the possibilities of ukulele and violin.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |