polnische Geige
musical instrument
Quick Summary
The polnische Geige, or Polish fiddle, is an early ancestor of the modern violin. Mentioned as early as 1545, it was a bowed chordophone that likely originated in Central Asia and spread across Eurasia. This instrument, along with the lira da braccio, contributed to the violin's essential form, including its arched body and the use of a sound post for tonal quality. The term "Geige" itself is German for fiddle or violin.123
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