I reckon they'd wear out the strings in next to no time. Intonation would be a problem too; you'd find it difficult to make slight adjustments on the fly to accomodate other instruments. The "trick" F#'s and C#'s found in some styles would also be next to impossible. People with thick fingers would have a problem. The list goes on ...
Trevor
I got this description off a website a while back.
"Fretted violins allow guitarists (and other instrumentalists used to having frets) to more easily explore the violin with good intonation. By placing the fingers just behind the fret, the correct note is played without the extensive memorization of exact position required on a conventional violin fingerboard. Certain techniques, especially slurs and glissandos, are totally different with frets. And vibrato requires different technique than on a conventional fingerboard. While fretted
violins are not for everyone, they are used by some noteworthy players like our customer,Tracy Silverman, formerly of the Turtle Island String Quartet and now recording as a solo artist for Windham Hill Records."
Tracy is an outstanding violinist. I would assume that he is using it for stylistic reasons rather than the ease of transition from guitar.
I think generally its because playing the fiddle is tough, everyone has his or her own competence. Fretting an instrument takes out one variable (intonation) so that people can concentrate on the other variables (bowing etc.).
But you are right, it does limit fexibility, but no more than say a guitar, mandolin, piano, button box, tin whistle etc.
Generally, I think it's a good thing, but may limit people musically. To each his own.
Fretting a fiddle would cause no problems with tuning. It just means you would have to tune the 4 strings so that their intervals are slightly short of a perfect 5th. Guitars, melodeons, concertinas etc all have to be tuned tempered. A mandolin is fretted and that doesn't cause tuning problems. In reality, most of the time fiddlers will be playing tempered anyway without realising it, so that they sound in tune with the other musos.
The only problem would be when you play 2 open strings at once. The sound of the fiddle might make it jar a little bit to the ear. I guess you'd just have to avoid doing it.
Oh actually if you fretted the octave against an open string it would also be noticeable. I suppose on a mandolin it's less noticeable because it's plinky-plonky. Concertinas sound alright though and they have a sustained sound. I notice it on mine a bit, but I think that's cuz it needs tuning
Why not instead of frets have tiny mother of pearl inlays permantly set into the fingerboard so you can see where all the notes are. I know its a bit like sticking paper dots on the fretboard in the case of a beginner, but if it makes playing one that bit easier , why not?
And oh bribanjo, I'd like a SMALL capo for my mandolin, all the ones i've seen are over designed and bigger than they need to be, and so get in the way of your playing.
The sooner a fiddle player stops using their eyes and starts using their ears to sense where their fingers are on the fingerboard and where the bow is on the string, then the quicker their progress will be.
If you're a classical player you've got no option but to look at the music or the conductor; if you're playing in sessions you should be watching and listening to other players and sensing cues from them, not staring down the fingerboard at your fingers. Ever seen a flute-player looking at their fingers when playing ?
Trevor
Fretted fingerboards
Fretted fingerboards
Why do some violins have fretted fingerboards? I've seen 2 in the last 4 years. It's weird...
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by beano
Re: Fretted fingerboards
They're just for lazy buggers
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by ...
Re: Fretted fingerboards
would suit me then
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by Bren
Re: Fretted fingerboards
I reckon they'd wear out the strings in next to no time. Intonation would be a problem too; you'd find it difficult to make slight adjustments on the fly to accomodate other instruments. The "trick" F#'s and C#'s found in some styles would also be next to impossible. People with thick fingers would have a problem. The list goes on ...
Trevor
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Fretted fingerboards
It's just plain weird....
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by beano
Re: Fretted fingerboards
Are you sure they weren't mandolins !
Maybe they're for beginners.
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by BegF
Re: Fretted fingerboards
I got this description off a website a while back.
"Fretted violins allow guitarists (and other instrumentalists used to having frets) to more easily explore the violin with good intonation. By placing the fingers just behind the fret, the correct note is played without the extensive memorization of exact position required on a conventional violin fingerboard. Certain techniques, especially slurs and glissandos, are totally different with frets. And vibrato requires different technique than on a conventional fingerboard. While fretted
violins are not for everyone, they are used by some noteworthy players like our customer,Tracy Silverman, formerly of the Turtle Island String Quartet and now recording as a solo artist for Windham Hill Records."
Tracy is an outstanding violinist. I would assume that he is using it for stylistic reasons rather than the ease of transition from guitar.
I think generally its because playing the fiddle is tough, everyone has his or her own competence. Fretting an instrument takes out one variable (intonation) so that people can concentrate on the other variables (bowing etc.).
But you are right, it does limit fexibility, but no more than say a guitar, mandolin, piano, button box, tin whistle etc.
Generally, I think it's a good thing, but may limit people musically. To each his own.
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by scottcantrell
Re: Fretted fingerboards
really guys, come on - is there any need? It's just cheating.
What next - a flute with bellows?
FMF
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by folkmasterflex
Re: Fretted fingerboards
Fretting a fiddle would indeed take out variable intonation. It would be invaraibly out of tune
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by ...
Re: Fretted fingerboards
I love the flute with bellows idea!
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Fretted fingerboards
Fretting a fiddle would cause no problems with tuning. It just means you would have to tune the 4 strings so that their intervals are slightly short of a perfect 5th. Guitars, melodeons, concertinas etc all have to be tuned tempered. A mandolin is fretted and that doesn't cause tuning problems. In reality, most of the time fiddlers will be playing tempered anyway without realising it, so that they sound in tune with the other musos.
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Fretted fingerboards
Isn't that what pipes are?
Are pipes just a cheater's way of playing flute?
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by Ottery
Re: Fretted fingerboards
The only problem would be when you play 2 open strings at once. The sound of the fiddle might make it jar a little bit to the ear. I guess you'd just have to avoid doing it.
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Fretted fingerboards
Oh actually if you fretted the octave against an open string it would also be noticeable. I suppose on a mandolin it's less noticeable because it's plinky-plonky. Concertinas sound alright though and they have a sustained sound. I notice it on mine a bit, but I think that's cuz it needs tuning
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Fretted fingerboards
Why not instead of frets have tiny mother of pearl inlays permantly set into the fingerboard so you can see where all the notes are. I know its a bit like sticking paper dots on the fretboard in the case of a beginner, but if it makes playing one that bit easier , why not?
And oh bribanjo, I'd like a SMALL capo for my mandolin, all the ones i've seen are over designed and bigger than they need to be, and so get in the way of your playing.
# Posted on August 31st 2004 by Justintime
Re: Fretted fingerboards
The sooner a fiddle player stops using their eyes and starts using their ears to sense where their fingers are on the fingerboard and where the bow is on the string, then the quicker their progress will be.
If you're a classical player you've got no option but to look at the music or the conductor; if you're playing in sessions you should be watching and listening to other players and sensing cues from them, not staring down the fingerboard at your fingers. Ever seen a flute-player looking at their fingers when playing ?
Trevor
# Posted on September 1st 2004 by Trevor Jennings