One of the best-known violinists today is Joshua Bell, who performs in classical recitals and concerts around the world and regularly works with top artists across all musical genres. His Mozart concertos and Schubert serenades are masterful. But he can flat-out rock as well. Don’t miss his version of The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun,” his jazz improvisations with Chick Corea and Branford Marsalis, or his bluegrass/Americana work with bassist Edgar Meyer. Really, you can explore a vast musical universe just listening to Joshua Bell.

A family of four

But speaking of bass, the upright or double bass plays an essential role in classical, jazz, and bluegrass. It’s the largest of the stringed instruments. In between bass and violin are the viola, slightly larger than violin but beloved by many for its slightly lower, more resonant sound. Next comes the cello, whose larger size gives it a rich, mellow tone but requires the musician to sit while playing. The bass, lowest in pitch as well as largest, is played either standing or sitting on a fairly high stool.

Practice brings rewards

Stringed instruments aren’t the easiest to play. They require practice and a good ear to play in tune, and with good tone. You’ll use the fingers of your left hand to press the strings to the fingerboard at different points, to get different notes. With the right hand you’ll draw the bow evenly across the strings to get a rich steady tone. When you do, you’ll know the deep satisfaction that only string players achieve.

Sizes to fit anyone

Violin, being the smallest, is great for small hands. But the viola is only a little larger, and many young students start on violin and then shift to viola, captivated by its sound. Children frequently start the cello at age 7 or 8. All the stringed instruments come in a variety of sizes, so you can definitely find one that fits your own size and feels comfortable to play.

A little more inspiration

If you’re a classical music fan, you’ve probably heard the magical performances of Anne-Sophie Mutter and Sarah Chang. Chang has been wowing audiences for more than 30 years, starting when she was just 5! Older fans will remember Jascha Heifetz and Yehudi Menuhin, two of the best violinists of the 20th Century. Jazz fans still thrill to the sound of Stéphane Grappelli, who founded the one of the first all-string jazz bands back in 1934 with guitarist Django Reinhardt. They called their band the “Hot Club of France” – and man, they were hot!

Rock ’n’ Roll’s best friend

But really, how about some of that good old rock ’n’roll? Sure, rock might not exist without the guitar. But it wouldn’t be as sweet without the violin. Listen to the dynamite violin solo at the end of The Who’s famous tune Baba O’Riley. Savor the violin in Kansas’s famous “Dust in the Wind” and John Mellencamp’s “Paper In Fire.” And be sure to check out Bob Dylan’s memorable “Hurricane,” an ode to the middleweight boxer Hurricane Carter, who spent two decades in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Listen to these a few times and you’ll have new inspiration to practice!