GUITAR TECHNIQUES
Violining (more correctly called volume swell) is a guitar technique thought to have been pioneered by British rock guitarist Allan Holdsworth. The effect can be achieved with a pedal or by using the guitar's volume control. The volume is turned down before a string is plucked, effectively masking the 'attack': the initial part of the sound wave. The volume is then increased after which the note decays normally producing a sound similar to a violin.
Many guitarists have used swell. George Harrison used it on several Beatles tracks including I Need You and Yes It Is, whilst Jeff Beck used it on his instrumental Somewhere Over The Rainbow.
Hank Marvin used a swell pedal on Cavatina, but the version of the song played here uses the guitar's volume control to achieve a similar result.
If you're going to try this, you'll need a swell pedal or a guitar with the volume control within reach of your little finger, and a volume control that moves very easily so that it can be rotated using the edge of your little finger.
A Fender Stratocaster is the guitar of choice. There are many cheap copies available with similar layout. If you're going to use one of these you may need to replace the volume control as many of these are fitted with cheap controls that are too stiff to roll with your finger.
