The violin is the smallest and highest-pitched member of the string family. There are more violins in the orchestra than any other instrument. The instrument is held under the chin and rests on the player’s left shoulder. The player’s left hand presses down on the strings to alter the pitch, while the right hand moves the bow across the strings, or plucks the strings. The violin can be played either standing up or sitting down. Usually a soloist will stand while other violinists in the orchestra will sit.
This is what the violin sounds like:
Here's an introduction to the violin:
nd here's a longer demonstration of the violin in all its virtuosity!