Violino piccolo
Encyclopedia
The violino piccolo is a stringed instrument of the baroque
period. Most examples are similar to a child's size violin
in size, and are tuned a third
or a fourth
higher. Probably the most famous work featuring violino piccolo is the first Brandenburg Concerto of Johann Sebastian Bach
.
The best-known violino piccolo is the Brothers Amati example in the National Music Museum, in Vermillion, South Dakota. By modern measurements, the body is 1/4 size, the neck 1/2 size, and the head corresponds to that of a 3/4 size instrument. The string length is the equivalent of a 4/4 violin stopped a minor third from the nut, which corresponds with its normal tuning of a third higher than a 4/4 violin. This Amati violin also has fingerboard widths similar to that of a 4/4 board cut a third shorter, which in view of the other measurements implies a clear conceptual relationship to the 4/4-sized violin.
When the construction of the violin
changed as the rococo
period began, it became possible to play many higher-pitched violin parts on a standard violin, and the piccolo was no longer considered necessary. In modern performances of older works that specifically call for the violino piccolo, it is common for a woodwind instrument
capable of playing in its range, such as an oboe
, to be substituted.
Violins of similar tuning have been built in modern times (specifically the soprano violin of the new violin family) but have not yet been accepted as standard.
Baroque music
Baroque music describes a style of Western Classical music approximately extending from 1600 to 1760. This era follows the Renaissance and was followed in turn by the Classical era...
period. Most examples are similar to a child's size violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
in size, and are tuned a third
Major third
In classical music from Western culture, a third is a musical interval encompassing three staff positions , and the major third is one of two commonly occurring thirds. It is qualified as major because it is the largest of the two: the major third spans four semitones, the minor third three...
or a fourth
Perfect fourth
In classical music from Western culture, a fourth is a musical interval encompassing four staff positions , and the perfect fourth is a fourth spanning five semitones. For example, the ascending interval from C to the next F is a perfect fourth, as the note F lies five semitones above C, and there...
higher. Probably the most famous work featuring violino piccolo is the first Brandenburg Concerto of Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
.
The best-known violino piccolo is the Brothers Amati example in the National Music Museum, in Vermillion, South Dakota. By modern measurements, the body is 1/4 size, the neck 1/2 size, and the head corresponds to that of a 3/4 size instrument. The string length is the equivalent of a 4/4 violin stopped a minor third from the nut, which corresponds with its normal tuning of a third higher than a 4/4 violin. This Amati violin also has fingerboard widths similar to that of a 4/4 board cut a third shorter, which in view of the other measurements implies a clear conceptual relationship to the 4/4-sized violin.
When the construction of the violin
Violin construction and mechanics
A violin consists of a body or corpus, a neck, a bridge, a soundpost, four strings, and various fittings. The fittings are the tuning pegs, tailpiece and tailgut, endpin, possibly one or more fine tuners on the tailpiece, and perhaps a chinrest, either attached directly over the tailpiece or to the...
changed as the rococo
Rococo
Rococo , also referred to as "Late Baroque", is an 18th-century style which developed as Baroque artists gave up their symmetry and became increasingly ornate, florid, and playful...
period began, it became possible to play many higher-pitched violin parts on a standard violin, and the piccolo was no longer considered necessary. In modern performances of older works that specifically call for the violino piccolo, it is common for a woodwind instrument
Woodwind instrument
A woodwind instrument is a musical instrument which produces sound when the player blows air against a sharp edge or through a reed, causing the air within its resonator to vibrate...
capable of playing in its range, such as an oboe
Oboe
The oboe is a double reed musical instrument of the woodwind family. In English, prior to 1770, the instrument was called "hautbois" , "hoboy", or "French hoboy". The spelling "oboe" was adopted into English ca...
, to be substituted.
Violins of similar tuning have been built in modern times (specifically the soprano violin of the new violin family) but have not yet been accepted as standard.
Sources
- http://blog.markwshead.com/20/violino-piccolo/
- http://www.usd.edu/smm/Violins/AmatiViolinoPiccolo/3361ViolinoPiccolo.html