Archive for the ‘Violin’ Category

Learning how to play the violin is very rewarding. And probably not as hard as you may imagine at first. The crux of it is it’s a matter of learning finger positions on the finger board and about bow control.

Pressing a certain finger down produce a specific sound when you’re playing your violin. And you have to know when to create a certain note at the right time in the melody you’re playing. The closer your fingers are to the bridge the higher the note you’ll produce. And conversely the further your fingers are away the lower the note you’ll produce.

Adopting the right Bowing technique is important. When you’re ‘Bowing’ it’s important to maintain a 90 degree angle between the bow and the strings. Most of the bowing is done using your lower arm and your wrist. One thing – when you’re bowing near the frog you need to bend your wrist to keep the 90 degree angle between the bow and strings.

Having the correct body position whether you’re playing either standing up or sitting down is very important – if you’re to play well. You must feel comfortable. If you sit down make sure you’re sitting upright. If you prefer to stand have your weight equal on both feet. Hold your violin at a 40 degree angle to the horizontal line of your shoulders. The wrist holding the neck of your violin must stay in line with your arm

Something which is very important is Rosin. This is made from tree gum. You rub it across the ribbon of the bow in order to coat it with a fine powder. This causes the bow to grip your strings, creating friction. And a better sound. Otherwise your bow would slide over the strings without producing much sound.

A violin is a stringed musical instrument which is available in different types, sizes, colors and designs. Carved violins are special violins with beautiful carvings on the head, body, back or neck. Carved violins are usually handmade and are available for both students and professional artists. They come with a complete set of accessories such as bows, cases, chin rests and fine tuner tail piece. They are available in a variety of fittings and colors such as golden-brown, red, and antique finish.

Hand-carved violins are recommended as a good starter instrument for students who are learning to play violin. They also form a unique piece of art for decorating your wall, and a unique gift.

You can find certain unusual pieces of violin with head of a man, lion and other carvings. Violins have different parts and are made of different types of wood. The belly, also known as the top, of the violin is made of spruce (tough softwood) while the back, ribs, neck, peg box, scroll and bridge are made of hardwood such as maple. The fingerboard, tailpiece and tuning pegs are made of ebony due to its superior quality of hardness, and resistance to wear and tear.

There are manufacturers offering handmade carved violins of unsurpassed quality, suitable for all type of artists – from advanced beginner to professional. Quality carved violins display fine workmanship in well-selected woods.

Most carved violins made today resemble the old fashioned designs used in the early centuries of string instruments. The most commonly found type is the decorative scroll found at the top of the neck. Antique pieces of carved violins from the royal palaces are found in different museums around the world.

Remarkable craftsmanship is evident in the Italian violins of old. The devotion of the early Italian luthiers to this instrument is evident. One only has to listen or gaze upon a violin made during this era to see that it has earned the reputation of a “holy grail” of violins. In this article, a brief look at three master crafters from the Italian school of Cremona will be examined.

Nicolo Amati, born 1596, was the son and disciple of Girolamo Amati. He is considered the finest luthier of his family. Among the many beloved attributes of Amati’s violins is their brilliant varnish in shades from yellow-brown to a golden red. Equally captivating is their tone which is penetrating and sweet but, because of the higher arching, lack the sheer power of a Stradivari. The length of his violins were mostly 14 inches or slightly under. Many of his family were lost to the plague, but Nicolo survived to become the master of the greatest violin maker who ever lived, Antonio Stradivari. Nicolo Amati died in 1684.

Antonio Stradivari was making violins up to the year of his death in 1737. He often inscribed his age on the labels, with one displaying “d’Anni 93″ as a reference to his age of 93 at the time of the violin’s creation. Born in 1644, Stradivari was described as a tall, lean man wearing a white wool cap with leather apron. This discription was given by the violin virtuoso, Polledro. Stradivari violins show evidence of being a pupil of Nicolo Amati. It is alleged that Amanti began to teach him at 11 years old.

Carlo Bergonzi, born 1676, worked in the workshop of Antonio Stradivari (in whose house he lived after 1746). It is said that he was the favorite pupil of Stradivari. Bergonzi’s violins have a magnificent, brilliant tone capable of reaching the corners of the largest concert hall and are well-liked as concert instruments. Bergonzi inherited all the working materials of Stradivari in 1742. Bergonzi died in 1747.

The Cremona school of violin making is highly esteemed in the violin world today and it is due in no small part to the love of the violin demonstrated by these three Italian luthiers in their workmanship which has stood the test of time.

“If you could learn to play violin like a pro for less than $30 would you want to do it?”

The easy and inexpensive way to learn to play the violin like a true master is with Violin Master Pro. When you download the Violin Master Pro course you will have instant access to violin lessons in video form from Eric Lewis.

“Who is Eric Lewis?”

Lewis is a professional violinist with the Manhattan String Quartet. Imagine having a professional violinist as your own personal violin teacher! The amazing thing is you will have unlimited access to Mr. Lewis’ violin lessons for less than the cost of a single lesson from a local violin teacher who probably doesn’t have anywhere near the experience or skill.

“What will I learn from Violin Master Pro?”

How to play all types of music on the violin. How to play improvisational music. How to play the violin by ear. How to read music. How to find the best instruments at the best prices. How to write songs on your violin. How to play with perfect rhythm.
“How do I know Violin Master Pro will work for me?”

It’s 100% guaranteed with a 60 day full money back refund period which means that you can essentially try it for free for 60 days.

“Does it matter what skill level I’m at?”

This course is set up to be perfect for anyone regardless of their current skill level. It will help you greatly improve your violin playing skill if you’re just beginning, if you’re at an intermediate stage, or even if you are already an advanced player.

“When can I start?”

Within minutes from right now. The entire video course is available for instant download at any time of day on any day of the week.

It was a dark and stormy night. A feeble old man’s hands shivered with excited anticipation as he carved away the last curled shaving from the ancient piece of maple.

“Magnifique!” he exclaimed at his masterpiece as he caressed it like a mother with a newborn child. He kissed the smooth wood then gently hung it from a wire attached to a gold-gilded chandelier. The shapely object swayed gently above the master’s head. Flickering candlelight danced with the ox-hair brush as the violin received its first of more than twenty fine coats of hot oil varnish.

The violin was completed and labeled at the poignant stroke of midnight on the start of the year 1912 in Lyon, France. The year would later be known for other historic events such as the establishment of the Republic of China, the discovery of the South Pole, and more notably, the addition of prizes to Cracker Jack boxes. All these events are shadowed by the creation of a violin that would someday find its way to me.

My violin’s rust-brown varnish had just finished curing when it was wrapped in fine silk and sent away in a wooden case. Due to highway congestion and no available carrier pigeons, French aviator Henri Seimet was asked to deliver the violin and made the first non-stop airplane flight from Paris to London in three hours.

The violin’s first owner was the great-grandson of legendary violinist Nicol