Rock music typically has guitar as a lead instrument. The concept of taking the violin and making it a central instrument brings forth an interesting trend in playing and listening. Though Lindsey Stirling and Brian King Joseph perform in a different genre, they bring violin to the forefront of mainstream music, which is truly groundbreaking. Lindsey Stirling, who came out of America’s Got Talent does an act involving dance, singing, and violin. Though I don’t really listen to this type of violin music, the entire spectacle involving various art mediums thrown together is captivating. Her music goes from rock to dance to pop. Brian King Joseph from America’s Got Talent does an electric violin hip hop/pop mashup. His layering of violin over popular pop/rap songs and his virtuosity makes him unique.
As a violinist in Love Lyzardz, I like doing slow melodic passages in the country/folk/rock/psychedelic vein. I don’t necessarily play at high speeds or lay down technically challenging notes like Brian or Lindsey, though I have had classical training in the past from being in school orchestra for many years, but I shape a distinctive mood or story in my playing. My partner Johnny Saffire keeps a steady intricate rhythm on guitar, which frames the violin’s sound and texture. As a duo, we marry guitar and violin, weaving rock and classical music, which creates Classical Rock. Yngwie Malmsteen, an influence of mine, had done something similar, taking classical music and applying it to guitar. Johnny Saffire’s background in blues, rock, and punk gives his guitar playing an individual finesse merged with a classical instrument like violin.
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A Diamond to Remember 