Music, like everything else, marches on. The violin is no different. In our never-ending quest for the new and different or at least improved, modern luthiers have developed the electric violin, the electronic violin and the electro-acoustic violin, all producing different sounds and combinations. Shockingly, electric violins have actually been around for some 90 years, having first been introduced in the 1920s, languished for years and then gradually gained popularity after Fender started producing them in the 1950s.
So, what is an electric violin? Today’s electric violins are a far cry from the first electrified violins, still very common. It’s easy to electrify a regular violin simply by installing a pickup, either a piezoelectric bridge or String pickup. Depending on the tone desired and the feedback issues developing, most violinists who “go electric” will choose one or the other of these two.
Today’s all-electric violins come in many versions, depending on the style of music and the sound desired. Rock electric violins, for instance, are frequently solid body violins, foregoing the traditional hollow body of the classical acoustic violin. When electrified, depending on the method, the hollow body is highly susceptible to feedback. Interestingly, some musicians like the sharp sound this produces, but most opt, instead, for either a solid or semi-solid body.
The material of the body of an electric violin, no longer dependent on the acoustically pliable soound of different varietes of wood, can be made of any of a wide variety of materials. Some of these materials include carbon fiber, glass, even kevlar. Always seeking new sounds, musicians also experiment not only with material but also with the shape of the electric violin. Cut-out shapes and outline shapes look strange, but the purpose is to cut down on the weight the violinist must carry around. In this way, electric violinists can jump all over the stage without consequent back or neck pain.
Besides the material and the shape, electric violins increasingly now have five strings or even six or seven, creating sounds never before heard from a violin. Because the body of the electricviolin can be solid, it can accomodate the extra tension created by the extra strings without breaking or bending. Other electric violin innovations include variations in the frets and in the strings.
Electric violins have even become electronic with the inventionof the MIDI violin which can control systhesizers. Jean-Luc Ponty has played this kind of electric violin as has Boyd Tinsely, theviolinist for the Dave Matthews Band, though it still remains quite rare. What has become commonplace, though, is the electric violin with a silent practice feature using a headphone jack and CD/auxiliary input. Much like the silent practice feature for drummers, this is a boon for the intermediate violinist striving for greater control over the instrument, but also a great relief for family and friends.
The violin has been a well-loved instrument for hundreds of years. It continues to evolve and to keep up with the advances in music technology. With the enormus variety of electric violins, musicians can now experiment with sound beyond the wildest dreams of yesteryear.
Most music stores carry several models of electric violins that you can choose from. If you are interested in them go try out some of them. You may have a particular manufacturer of musical instruments that you are loyal to. If that is the case then you should check to see if they make any types of electric violins. They are lovely instruments that will last a very long time.
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