Glossary of Violin Terms

Soul (Soundpost): A small spruce cylinder placed between the top and the back of the violin and other bowed string instruments. It serves to support the arch of the instrument and to adjust its sound, transmitting the vibrations produced by the bow on the strings.

Stick: The curved part of the bow, typically made of pernambuco wood.

Button: A wooden part that connects the tailpiece to the body of the violin.

Bridge: Usually made of maple, placed between the top and the strings, transmitting vibrations; it has a significant impact on playability and sound.

Pegs: Sculpted wooden pieces used to tighten the strings and tune the instrument. They can be made from various woods like ebony, rosewood, or boxwood, which can affect the sound.

Ribs: Assembled in a frame, these form the sides of a string instrument and create the resonating body by joining the soundboard and the back.

Back: The rear part of the instrument, opposite the soundboard, usually made of one or two joined pieces of maple.

Purfling: A decorative inlay around the edge of a string instrument, serving both aesthetic and functional purposes by reinforcing the instrument's edges.

Frog: The sliding part of a bow that allows the hair to be tightened. Often made of ebony, it can also be crafted from other precious materials such as ivory or tortoiseshell.

Neck: The part that connects the head to the body, featuring the fingerboard and the nut.

F-holes: Openings located on either side of the soundboard. Essential to the instrument's function, their position and shape also greatly influence sound.

Pernambuco: A type of wood favored for bow sticks, valued for its density, strength, and elasticity. Initially imported to Europe as a dye for textiles due to its intense red color, its nickname "ember wood" gave its name to its country of origin: Brazil.

Thumb Leather: A piece of leather placed near the frog on a bow.

Nut: A small piece usually made of ebony and sometimes ivory. The upper nut raises the strings at the end of the fingerboard, while the lower nut prevents the tailpiece from damaging the soundboard.

Soundboard (Top): The top part of the violin, typically made of two joined pieces of spruce.

Heel: An integral part of the back, connecting the neck to the body of the instrument.

Scroll: The part of the instrument that consists of the scroll and the pegbox.

Fingerboard: A long, thin piece, usually made of ebony, on which the player presses the strings to produce notes.

Scroll: A spiral-shaped, decorative element carved into the head of the instrument.