What is the difference between a violin and a fiddle?

Thanks for coming here to get the scoop!

You may have heard a lot of wrong  answers to your question. People have "heard from an expert" that a violin has more (or fewer) strings than a fiddle, or that violins are the better quality instruments and fiddles are somehow inferior, or that the setup is different.

Actually, only the last answer has some truth to it, sometimes. The setup could be different.

But in general, a violin is a fiddle is a fiddle is a violin. They are one and the same. Violins and fiddles traditionally have four strings. You can get a 5-string, or even a 6-string if you want it. But those are "special" and not the norm.

There is no difference in the instruments, except the music you play. That might make you refer to it as a violin, if you are hearing classical music, or perhaps fiddle if you're hearing or playing bluegrass or celtic tunes. I've also noticed that for some reason, we tend to say jazz violin but blues fiddle.

So a fiddle can cost $30,000 and a violin can be under $500.

My "violin" is a traditional 4-string instrument with a concert setup (heavily curved bridge that drops lower toward the E-string). Right now I am using Titanium Vision strings on it, and I've just bought a new professional-level bridge to replace the mediocre one it came with. This violin is a G.A. Pfretschner, not the most expensive one I've ever owned but definitely the sweetest sound.

My 5-string "fiddle" was made by a friend a few years ago. It has Pirastro Flexicore strings, E-A-D-G-C (the C-string is a viola string). I have flattened the curvature of the bridge slightly in order to play double strings easily -- you play on 2 strings a lot in advanced bluegrass music.

Here are some more fun/funny sayings about the difference between a violin and a fiddle:

If I'm feeling smart alecky, I answer with: About $10,000.

Or I'll say, look at how I'm dressed; if it's concert black, it's a violin. In my jeans it's a fiddle.

I've heard some people say The difference is in the nut that holds the bow.

Or: No one cries when they spill beer on a fiddle.

And "A fiddle is a violin with attitude."

So what's the difference? Who cares? Just relax and play the music!

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