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Violins are smaller than violas and have a higher pitch. Their strings have different tunings (though both are in fifths) and violins use the treble clef while the viola uses the alto clef.

The bows are shaped and weighted differently. In orchestras, violists sit in the centre and there are more violin solos.

The sound produced from this instrument can be found in almost every genre of music across hundreds of years. The violin is also widely regarded as one of the most difficult instruments to learn. One of the reasons behind this is that there are no guides on the violin for finger placement.

Both the violin and guitar are incredibly flexible in terms of genre adaptability. The violin effortlessly transitions from classical to folk and modern music, while the guitar is equally at home in rock, blues, country, and classical guitar pieces.

This versatility makes them beloved by musicians and listeners alike.

In the vast majority of cases, fiddles and violins are the exact same instruments played in different styles.

However, some instruments are expressly designed for fiddling as opposed to classical playing.

Such instruments often have a flatter bridge, which brings the strings slightly closer to the fingerboard

Beginner violinists start by learning three one-octave scales that all have the same hand frame: A major, D major, and G major (see below). Most beginner violin pieces, including all of Suzuki Book 1, are in one of these keys. Practicing them will prepare you to play dozens of different songs!