Origin of the Modern-style Violin

Andrea Amati, a lute maker in the 16^th century, invented the modern form of the violin. Predecessors to the modern violin were the rebec and vielle from medieval times, and the lira da braccio from the Renaissance era. This instrument was popular in northern Italy and similar to the modern violin. All three of these instruments were bowed. Andrea Amati is credited with founding the school of violinmaking in Cremona Italy, the place where Guarneri and Stradivari made violins. Amati wanted to improve the sound and power of bowed string instruments and his pattern standardized the dimensions of the violin for makers of the future. In fact, his pattern is still the pattern used for violins today!