In recent years, the violin has become an increasingly widespread 
instrument in popular modern and jazz music. So much so, that a number of artists have abandoned technology and synthesizers in favour of orchestral arrangements.
And recent comments suggest that the instrument is becoming increasingly popular among females.
Despite the violin traditionally being a male-dominated instrument, female violinists often outnumber their male counterparts in orchestras now, and – according to The Scotsman – they also outnumber their male counterparts in the finals of the prestigious 21st Glenfiddich Fiddle Championships.
Taking place this weekend, the news provider reports that seven of the eight finalists are women in their early twenties.
“We have welcomed a mix of male and female competitors over the championships’ 21-year history, but there does seem to be a very strong
show from the girls this year,” says Liz Maxwell, the event manager at the Glenfiddich Piping & Fiddle Championships.
“It is wonderful for us to see such determined and talented females really leading the way and forging their place in the rich history of the championships.”
The news provider suggests that the increase in the instruments’ popularity may have something to do with its move into the mainstream over the past decade. Over the course of the past ten years a number of female violinists including Vanessa Mae and Nicola Benedetti have enjoyed worldwide fame.
Mae helped to make the violin cool again by exploring techno music, while more recently Scottish-born Benedetti has enjoyed success with her chart-topping albums.
Gillian Ramsay, from Kirriemuir in Scotland, is preparing to compete alongside seven other finalists in this weekend’s Glenfiddich Fiddle Championships. She agrees that the influx of female role models has helped the instrument to grow in popularity.
“Traditionally the violin was quite male, but recently I do think more women have been picking it up … it’s certainly quite a delicate instrument. Plus, we have a lot of female role models, so that may have made it more accessible,” she confirmed to The Scotsman.
instrument in popular modern and jazz music. So much so, that a number of artists have abandoned technology and synthesizers in favour of orchestral arrangements.And recent comments suggest that the instrument is becoming increasingly popular among females.
Despite the violin traditionally being a male-dominated instrument, female violinists often outnumber their male counterparts in orchestras now, and – according to The Scotsman – they also outnumber their male counterparts in the finals of the prestigious 21st Glenfiddich Fiddle Championships.
Taking place this weekend, the news provider reports that seven of the eight finalists are women in their early twenties.
“We have welcomed a mix of male and female competitors over the championships’ 21-year history, but there does seem to be a very strong
show from the girls this year,” says Liz Maxwell, the event manager at the Glenfiddich Piping & Fiddle Championships.“It is wonderful for us to see such determined and talented females really leading the way and forging their place in the rich history of the championships.”
The news provider suggests that the increase in the instruments’ popularity may have something to do with its move into the mainstream over the past decade. Over the course of the past ten years a number of female violinists including Vanessa Mae and Nicola Benedetti have enjoyed worldwide fame.
Mae helped to make the violin cool again by exploring techno music, while more recently Scottish-born Benedetti has enjoyed success with her chart-topping albums.
Gillian Ramsay, from Kirriemuir in Scotland, is preparing to compete alongside seven other finalists in this weekend’s Glenfiddich Fiddle Championships. She agrees that the influx of female role models has helped the instrument to grow in popularity.
“Traditionally the violin was quite male, but recently I do think more women have been picking it up … it’s certainly quite a delicate instrument. Plus, we have a lot of female role models, so that may have made it more accessible,” she confirmed to The Scotsman.