One violin

This is the first in a series of articles about how to use different numbers of violins.

A lone violinist provides a wide variety of options. The violinist is free to choose almost any style of playing, as long as it fits with the rest of the group. The violinist is free to improvise (if they are able) or to play from sheet music (if it is available).

Since many contemporary worship albums these days include solo violin parts, imitating those parts by ear is a good option. Unfortunately, many of those solo parts are not available as sheet music (sheet music tends to assume the presence of an "orchestra," and doesn't precisely match the most popular recordings).

Since there is no need to blend with other violins, sound reinforcement options are unlimited. The solo violinist can buy electronic toys and not worry about obligating anyone else to buy matching equipment. You can play with effects to your heart's desire--anything from subtle reverb to distortion and crunches. The perennial favorite, however, remains a sweet, pure violin sound with just a touch of reverb.

The violinist can be physically positioned just about anywhere. If you like the sound of a conventional mic, the violinist can easily be positioned away from loud instruments and monitors. If you want to have close interaction between the violinist and another player, they can be placed near each other. With a wireless pickup, the violinist can even move around.

A lone violin can present a bit of a problem for richly orchestrated works (including many musicals). Avoid the temptation to add a chorus effect to try to simulate a full violin section; the result is inevitably artificial sounding. Sometimes, however, I've succeeded in using a subtle chorus effect for a very short passage of music. If you need to fill out the string sound, a better option is to use a keyboard with a realistic strings stop, then carefully blend in the solo violin. To ensure seamless communication, be sure to place the violinist right next to the keyboardist, and consider giving both of them IEMs (in-ear monitors).