History

Britannica: Stringed Instrument
This encyclopedia article provides historical background to stringed instruments from all around the world, from the cello to the zither. Scroll to the bottom for links to other equally informative pages in the Britannica site on individual instruments, parts or music theories, traditions, and genres.

The Violin and its History
This illustrated site offers interesting information on the violin and its history, tracing its origin to the Middle East and explaining the violin’s position in the stringed family. This is an ideal resource for beginners.