What is the Difference Between a Fiddle and a Violin?

Aside from setup, a fiddle and a violin are basically the same instrument. The difference is the style of music that is played on each. On occasion, a fiddle player might have the bridge reshaped to have a slightly flatter curve and lower string height than what a classical violinist might like. This can help the fiddler to more easily play both double stops (two notes which are played at the same time) and triple stops (three notes played at the same time). However, many fiddle musicians use a standard classical arch and string heights for their bridge, as many today are classically trained. Many also use synthetic core strings, such as Thomastik Dominant and Vision. Both sets achieve a warmer and richer sound than steel core strings, which were traditionally used by fiddlers in the past. The advantage to using a synthetic core string is ease of tuning and pitch bending. Most fiddle players use four fine tuners on the tailpiece to ease in tuning the instrument.

Many younger fiddlers today use a shoulder rest, whereas many old timers do not. There are several options on the market. One of the most popular is the Comford Shoulder Cradle and the Kun shoulder rest. Most fiddle players tend to hold the violin more in front and pointed down which differs from a classical player who strives to keep the violin parallel to the floor. Chinrest setup is becoming increasingly important for fiddlers. It is crucial to find a chinrest that fits the player's jaw properly.

Playing fiddle can be a rewarding experience and help the classical player expand his or her technique. It is helpful to observe as many other fiddlers as possible. YouTube is a very good source for viewing varied styles.