I kind of want to change my rockstar-aspiring character's instrument to a violin instead of a guitar. First, he's the band's singer, so is this possible? I know you have to hold the violin against you, and according to the internet it can be hard to hold it the usual way and sing. But I don't know, as I've never touched a violin in my life, much less played one. Also, what are your thoughts on someone who sings in a rock/metal band and plays violin at the same time? I know that you can basically do whatever you want in a band, and that there really aren't any "rules," but is that too unconventional? And, if it makes any difference, this character and his band does become famous. I just want to make sure that if I change his instrument, it's believable that they become famous.
Look up Ashley MacIsaac on Wikipedia. He plays the fiddle (cousin to violin). He had a song reach 102 US charts and 29 US dance charts in 1995. He still puts out albums.
Depends who you think will listen to the character's music. My nana likes André Rieu who I guess is like a rockstar violinist due to his popularity and style of his shows, but his audience prevents him from being cool.
There are plenty of rock/metal bands with a violin player out there. Yellowcard utilizes the violin a lot. They are a pop-punk band, so it does make them stand out: The Sins of Thy Beloved is a bit rough around the edges sometimes, but the violinwork is wonderful. Skip to 1:55 -> and you can hear some pretty insane violin meets metal synergy. Elonkerjuu isn't in English, but you can hear how the violin is incorporated to poprock. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXGq_7mk-hM&list=PLsfSqQWuO4vSx3cTgtb-mmgrnWlpVEn7i Obviously this Led Zeppelin classic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDwotNLyz10 You'll find plenty more examples in the folk rock/metal genre in particular, bands like Eluveitie, Ne Obliviscaris and Korpiklaani.
It would be next to impossible to sing a song with any force with a violin nuzzled up against your neck. Furthermore, the violin is usually a melody (lead) instrument and would overtake the singers voice. He wouldn't be able to hear himself think or sing. Singers who perform while playing an instrument are almost always playing rhythm, never lead. The piano would be a better choice.
Violin rock star who sings a little: I saw her live a couple months ago with Evanescence. She's great. She only sings those little bits, but even she puts the bow down most of the time if she's vocalizing anything. It's better with another singer: Happy Halloween:
I agree with checking out Lindsey Stirling ^ She's pretty awesome - she did a showdance on Dancing with the Stars where she danced and played the violin which is pretty cool. David Garrett plays the violin and did some Nirvana, Michael Jackson and Bon Jovi etc - check him out on Youtube. Violin is a leading instrument though, really. Not only would it be hard to both play it and sing, but the two meoldies of the voice and the violin would also clash. But it's definitely possible to alternate (e.g. sing verses, play chorus or something like that)
Well, there's your conflict right there: violinist has to overcome the logistical obstacles of violining while singing to reach the top of the charts!
It's a definite phenigma. Some cokus spinning sexy on the X Factor might bring me to kick the screen, and they have tried many times to bring us masses toward an appreciation of the well-packaged violin-rock. So, from that perspective it's definitely one for the sick bucket...let's not regurgitate this particular cliche. However, the angelic violin camp boy aside the watery soup and barbed wire presses all my buttons. A tough decision - to make. Banjoleke?
Yeah I was gonna say check out Lindsey Stirling too. She plays the violin while bending backwards at 90 degree angles lol. Not sure how but it is pretty unusual! Rammstein has a lot of violins in their music I think? Certainly the song Mein Herz Brennt does. Still love the violin bits in that song. Sounds so epic.
The fiddle (same instrument, different play style) is often held against the chest, rather than under the neck. To play and sing simultaneously would still be hard, but check out Charlie Daniels:
You could make them more interesting and unique by having them play an electric guitar with a violin bow. They would be able to sing, and have a less common style and sound. However, they are gaining traction (sans singing usually) in bands. Even older bands like Kansas have been known to toss in some fiddle as well. Good luck and have fun with this idea.
"That lead guitar is hot but not for a Louisiana man." - Alabama The song, If You're Gonna Play In Texas from the 1984 album Roll On
Aha. Well, @GlitterRain7 , here is where knowing traditional music can help you. Yes, you CAN play the violin and sing at the same time (although the guy in this clip doesn't sing ...but I have seen this done while singing, easily enough.) I'm sure purist violinists will cringe, but they might well cringe at the thought of the violin/fiddle being played in a rock band as well. Maybe investigate this stance and see what you can do with it.
More like this? Although this one is actually MUCH worse. I envisage these two 'men' assassinated on a street corner in Edinburgh, or shipped to Las Vegas for the hairspray market
I just wanted to say thanks for mentioning Yellowcard. They are awesome, but I don't think enough people know about them.
I would suggest checking out Vanessa Mae. She plays pretty epic violin. She even had an electric violin, if I recall. So that's one way to rock it up a bit. I also found this:
The violin is a instrument that sings a melody. So is the human voice. If both are singing at the same time, they are in competition for the listeners ear. Generally, it's not a pleasing sound, not to me at least.
All instruments can produce melody. The key in combining them with voices is in the way you harmonise them. I almost always include a string quartet in my songs, and I have the violins (as the most treble instrument) playing the main harmony against the voice.
I guess it's a matter of taste. I've been writing and recording music for three decades and I personally don't like it when the guitar soloist is playing a differing melody and walking all over the singer, for instance. It's distracting to me. Even in the blues the vocals and solos take turns. But hey, what do I know.
