Fiddle or Violin?

Can anyone settle a puzzlement between me and the missus?

What is the difference between a fiddle a violin?

I've had an answer to this a long time ago by a friend from my student days, but before I tell you what her answer was, I just wanted to see what others think.

 

Not much as far as the instrument itself. It's basically the style of the music and the way the instrument is held.

 

No difference at all.

Val

 

I used to date Vile Lyn.

 

Did you get a fiddle?

 

Here's the answer I got from a lass that played the fiddle in a traditional Irish style in a band.

There is no difference in the construction, but "snobs play violin, proper people play fiddle".

I think she was saying that classical musicians call it a violin, whereas folk musicians call it a fiddle.

 

No, but when I rosin'd her up she used to love a play on my pink Oboe.

 

I'm going to throw a spanner in the works!

A local farmer uses a fiddle now and again to sow seed. Interesting instrument, but time consuming.