One of the common questions asked by classical music students or its enthusiast is “why do violins not have frets?” before we delve into answering this question. Let us first answer the question that usually precedes it, which is “what are frets in musical instruments?”
A fret is a space between the fret bars on the neck of any stringed instrument. Examples of stringed instruments include; guitars, mandolins, banjos, violins, viola, etc. It is important to note that not all stringed instruments have frets.
It usually extends the entire length of the instrument’s neck, and in most modern designs of western instruments with frets, frets are the spaces between the metal strips (fret bars) inserted into the fingerboard. Historical and non-European instruments have pieces of string tied around the instrument’s neck to serve as a fret. It is made of varying materials from the metal, gut and even nylon.
What Is It Used For?
Frets help the musician playing the instrument to properly place their finger on the instrument. Understanding how frets work helps the player use the instrument well. The fret makes your guitar sound the way it does. It makes achieving an acceptable standard intonation easier, also fretted instruments are easier to play accurately.
Why Don’t Violins Have Frets?
Violin is a string instrument, and like most string instruments, it is supposed to have a fret, but it does not, and it also does not need one.
In the 18th century, Italian violin maker Antonio Stradivari modified his violins by adding a “humped” fingerboard, or “Heel.” This modification is what made modern-day violins what they are today. Violins were originally built to project sound well without the need for frets. Many modern-day violins still do not have frets because they are designed to project sound well without them.
Frets are small metal or plastic bars attached perpendicular to the neck of a string instrument, which divides its length into equal intervals. These intervals can then be assigned different pitches when played. Violinists use their fingers (not their fingernails) in different positions on these frets to play different notes instead of pianists who use their hands and fingers over black and white keys.
No frets were present on violins because they would have blocked access between the two strings, which are very close together for producing the high-pitched sound. Violins don’t have frets because they are played differently from guitars, and the strings are much higher off the neck. The lack of frets also makes it easier to bend notes.
Different instruments have different ways of being played, and frets help players to know where they should place their fingers on a specific string. But Violins don’t need frets because they are played with a bow, which can be moved across the string to change its pitch without moving your fingers.
A violinist’s fingers are thin and flexible because they need to have enough dexterity to play notes with the right amount of force and speed. Fret boards need more space between the strings and frets for various reasons.