I was just wondering what everyone thought of music genres outside of classical using violins (rock, pop, alternative...) . On a whole I tend to dislike it if it's obviously just added in as an afterthought is the exact same string section sound that's in every other non-classical piece. On the other hand, I really like when violins are used to heighten the music like in "Eleanor Rigby" or "Yesterday" by the Beatles (Especially Eleanor Rigby because it's only the string quartet as backup). I've also heard strings used very effectively in Anime and Game music.

I'd be intersted to hear everyone elses thoughts on this.

oHhh i LOVE it! i never really thought about putting a violin into a rock song and then i heard malice mizer and it just blew me away :wub: i just love mana's special blend of violin, electric guitar, and organ :D

I run into a few pieces with a violin in them. The songs are by Jays of Clay. It works out pretty well with the soft rock type of music they play.

The .hack//SIGN and //LIMINALITY songs with violin are gorgeous! Also, they're a joy to play. :D (Grandpa's Violin, Unforgettable, B.T.)

I feel that it adds more emotion to the moment, that which only a violin can express (Talking of Halo). And I agree with Gnomish, those are great pieces)

I adore BT - it was my GCSE assessed solo and I got all my friends in the chamber group hooked on it too, it was hilarious because one lesson when we were all supposed to be working on my friend's A-Level pieces we all started playing BT and it sounded really nice with flute, violin and oboe!

I love classical music set to a beat - Hooked on Classics and Vanessa-Mae are my faves :)

*waves from Australia* ;)

Some other great violin parts are in "Yureru Koe No..." from the Onegai Twins vocal album and "Metamorphose," the OP from Kono Minikukumo Utsukushii Sekai. The violin has that ability to add to songs in a way that no other instrument can ^_^

i being a violinist
I had a couple
I think the violin got a a unique sound developed over the centuries
and I think it sounds nice both fast and slow
it sounds great with soft rock

There's this violinist named Miri Ben-Ari. She plays hip hop and rap songs. She's featured in alot of songs by Kanye West and Twista. If you ask me, it sounds great. Putting violin in songs of other genres tend to give it a bit of flavor.

^ oOo so that's her name.. she sounds awesome. there's also a lil violin part in yellowcard's only you. i saw it in the music video and it sounds great at the end.

It's a very effective musical instrumental accompaniment
Also violin gives a very graceful and "no limit" melody to a song.

Since you only mention non-classical, there's a lot of violin in country music.

I think it really cool...just wish I could find sheet music for those songs though like for the beatles and everything...