Biola is a stringed instrument that is played by swiping. The violin has four strings (G-D-A-E) which are set differently from each other with a perfect fifth interval. The lowest tone is G. Among the violin family, namely with alto violin, cello and double bass or counter bass, the violin has the highest tone. The other stringed instrument, bass, technically enters the viol family. Music paper for violins almost always uses or is written on the G key.

A name commonly used for violins is fiddle, and violins are often called fiddle when used to play traditional songs (see below).

In Indonesian, the person who plays the violin is called a violinist or violinist (English: Violinist - distinguish between Violis or Viola players). People who make or fix stringed instruments are called luthier.