Evolution of the violin

Evolution of the acoustic to electric violin

      The acoustic violin first appeared in the early 16th century and over time experienced modifications to enhance the quality of its sound. The modifications include changes in structure and materials to achieve an even fuller, richer sound quality. As our society has modernized with the use of electricity and technology, so has the violin. The violin has evolved to incorporate the electronic age of synthesized sounds. Unlike the previous acoustic model however, it is debatable whether or not these changes have improved the quality and richness of its sound. 

Here is the evolution of the acoustic violin to the modernized electric violin:

Felix Mendelssohn Violin concerto in E minor, Op.64, 1845-Germany

Flame Of Hope: Tales of Arise, Motoi Sakuraba, 2021-Japan

Main Differences: The most noticeable difference between the acoustic violin and the electric violin is the sound. This sound difference is achieved through the evolution of the violin's structure. The acoustic violin has a hollow, vibrating structure, which produces and amplifies sound. An acoustic violin player has to work more diligently to achieve a beautiful tone quality. " The acoustic violin requires a perfect balance between the speed of the bow, the weight of the arm, and the point of contact between the bow and the string" (Francois 2021). All of these intricacies allow the violin to produce an effortless sound. Acoustic violins can now be played with or without electric sound amplification while most electric violins are faint and hard to hear when played without any electric amplification. Although development began in 1874, the electric violin really did not reach performance quality until the 1920s. (3Dvarius 2019). The electric violin is equipped with an electronic output of its sound, known as the piezoelectric microphone. (Electric Violin 2021).  This microphone captures the string vibrations to produce sound without needing the vibrations of the wood. Electric violins are described as experimental instruments that are still evolving to this day. The violin's place in different music genres has also expanded into areas outside of classical music. Electric violins can be found in more popular genres such as rock, metal, hip hop, country and electronic music (Electric Violin 2021).

Opinion: Timbre & Dynamics

The timbre of the acoustic violin can be described as rich, moody, full, and dramatic. Electric violins are capable of producing a brighter, rawer, and more crisp timbre than acoustic violins. Personally, I prefer the dramatic sounds of the acoustic violin to the sometimes shrill and fake sounding electric violin. Elegant, ringing notes can be achieved on the electric violin but the player has to rely more on the technology instead of own their own skill to do so. This sound evolution is mostly due to the player's ability to manipulate their tone quality by adjusting the amplification, equalizer and reverb of their sound. Although much easier, I feel that some of the violin's authenticity is lost when the sound quality is so easily adjustable. 

Dynamics are another musical element that have been transformed in the evolution of the acoustic to electric violin. The acoustic violin has a wide dynamic range, making it easier to identify the gradual or sudden crescendos and decrescendos. The electric violin however, does not have as wide of a dynamic range. It is harder to distinguish between the crescendos and decrescendos when the sound is so amplified and projected by the microphone. Electric violinists have to be mindful of dynamics so their sound does not overpower over them. I find the dynamics of the acoustic violin to be more noticeable and appealing than those of the electric violin. The evolutionary progression of the violin from acoustic to electric, while inevitable, is not necessarily remarkable. Though the tones and sounds between the acoustic and electric violin can be similar, it can also be argued that very little value has been gained as a result of this development. Although we can see added value in other instruments that have gone through similar changes such as the piano and guitar, with the violin, it can be debated that the result of this progression may be summarized as mostly synthesized manipulation, effortless increase in sound projection and loss in skill by the player. 

Francois. "Electric vs Acoustic Violin." Violin Trend, B.E. Solutions SAS., 2021,

Electric vs Acoustic violin – Violin Trend 

3Dvarius. "The Great History of the Electric Violin." 3Dvarius, 26 June 2019, 

The History of the Electric Violin | Electric Violin Invention (3d-varius.com) 

"Electric Violin." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 sept. 2021,

Electric violin - Wikipedia