5-String Violins: What They Are & Why You Might Want One [Video]

What is a 5-string violin?

It is a violin, with added viola range. It's that simple. Five strings in descending 5ths: E, A, D, G, C.

So why does it even exist? We should preface the "why" by pointing out that 4 strings is not necessarily the "correct" number of strings to begin with, it's just what we've come accustomed to through several centuries of Classical tradition. Renaissance-era predecessors of the violin family often had upwards of 6 strings. However, as bowed string instruments evolved into solo and orchestral instruments, tone quality and projection took precedence over tonal range. Violins, violas, cellos and upright basses developed to cover the widest possible range with the best possible sound.

Why did the viola develop rather than a 5-string violin that covers both ranges? The smaller body of a violin is an amazing piece of technology for amplifying the tonal range down to its open G string, but isn't perhaps large enough to produce gorgeous, projective tone down to a C a perfect fifth lower, hence the viola and its dark, dulcet tones. Conversely, a viola, while fantastic for belting out its richer, lower tones, can't project the shimmering bright sound of a violin's E string, even when playing in the same range.

But that was then. This is now! Amplification technology and advancements in string engineering allow for electric and acoustic-electric violin makers to create violin-scale instruments that produce high-quality tone throughout the violin and viola range (and beyond...this article focuses on 5-strings, but the same points apply to 6-string violins/violas/cellos and, yes, even 7-string violins!).

The Violin C String

As mentioned above, a 5-string violin uses a C-string that is especially designed for the smaller scale length of the violin. Viola scale C strings should not be used on violin, as they aren't tensioned properly for violin scale and won't intonate well. Thankfully, all of the well-known string manufacturers, including D'Addario, Super-Sensitive, Thomastik, Pirastro, Dogal, and others, have developed great sounding violin scale C strings. We carry many different brands of C strings as well as full 5-string sets for violin.

Why you might want a 5-string

• Improvisors & composers -- If you write, arrange or compose music on your instrument, there's no question that extending your lower range by a 5th is bound to be helpful to you. Not only do you get the extra notes (7 of them, if you're counting half steps), but you also get the deeper timbre. It just adds to the creative possibilities!
  
  
• Gigging artists -- If you play in a band or are a fiddler for hire, there's a good chance that you'll be playing songs you know in keys you're unaccustomed to. If you play something in F as opposed to G, you'll be glad to go down onto the 5th string for that low root note (plus the open C is the dominant).
  
  
• Cover viola parts -- Whether you're a school orchestra director, a violin & viola studio teacher, or sitting in on chamber music gigs, a 5-string violin lets you cover both violin and/or viola parts. Many teachers report loving the ability to demonstrate violin, viola and cello parts (an octave higher) to their students using a 5-string violin. Having 5-string acoustic or acoustic-electric violin allows you show up anywhere a violist is needed and play the part convincingly.
  
  
• Cover guitar parts -- Do you cover guitar solos or guitar-based rock music on your violin? Well, the 6-string guitar's range goes down to an E (albeit lower than 5-string violin range), so if you're trying to start your scale where the guitar does or cover some lower power chords on violin, you'll be out of luck--unless you have a 5-string.
  
  
• Timbre -- Do you play violin but love the richness of the lower end more than the brightness of the top end? We've noticed that 5-string acoustic-electric violins, whether due to the extra mass of the wider neck or because of sympathetic resonance of the extra lower string, seem to have a richer, darker tone across the range. It's a very nice tone that appeals to many players.

Why you might NOT want a 5-string

You can probably tell by now that we think 5-string is a great idea. And so do our customers. In fact, here at Electric Violin Shop, 5-strings outsell 4-strings by a narrow margin, perhaps because many players figure, "if I'm going electric, why not go all the way?" That said, we totally recognize that 5-strings may not be for some people. That's not a knock, by any means, as some of the most accomplished violinists we know--fiddle virtuoso Ross Holmes and Zach Brock of Snarky Puppy to name a couple--have played 5-strings but ultimately settled on sticking with 4. It's cool.

So how do you know if 5-string violin is not for you? Well, you maybe can't until you've tried it, and we mean really tried it. We often see that players are discouraged right off the bat when they realize that the geometry is all a little different than they are used to with a 4-string. 5-string violins tend to have:

• Wider necks -- This is a good thing, because 5-strings with standard width necks tend to have almost unplayably close strings, however, the feel of a wider neck isn't comfortable to everyone.
  
  
• Narrower string spacings -- Even though most 5-strings do try to accommodate the added string with extra neck width, the spacing is nevertheless somewhat narrower than you'll find on a 4-string. The tighter space is more noticeable closest to the nut, which means that even 1st position playing is affected. It's not a big deal unless you have exceptionally large fingers or play music with lots of intricate chord playing.
  
  
• Less forgiving string crossings -- Due to the extra string, the bow angle threshold to play each string by itself is somewhat shallower, meaning that it is hitting neighboring strings.

All of these differences are fairly easily overcome by most players who are willing to be open-minded and put in a few days or weeks of slightly uncomfortable practice time. In our experience, anyone who wants to can learn to adjust to a 5-string.

Summary

The added range of a 5-string violins expands the range of creative and practical possibility.

If you are creature of habit and know that you will struggle to adjust to a 5-string, it may not be for you. If you know that you'll never play any music that would require or benefit from a note below the open G string, 5-string is not for you.

But, if you're a creative player, a composer, an improvisor, a gigging player,  a multi-instrumental strings educator, or just an intrepid violinist looking for news sounds and adventure, then you should get your hands on a 5-string violin and "C" for yourself what it's all about!