Violin sabot

This fiddle fashioned from a shoe embodies the centrality of dance to music. Portable, versatile, and able to provide melody, harmony, and rhythm, the fiddle is the ideal partner for dancing. The musician’s bowing keeps time audibly and visually, and the lightweight instrument can be played for long stretches without fatigue. Folk violins were often made from repurposed materials. The use of a wood shoe to construct this example reflects the widespread tradition of clog dancing.