The Modern Violin Flashcards
What is the shape of the modern violin?
- carved back
- f-holes
- lateral pegs in a curved peg box
When did the first modern violin originate?
In 1500AD.
Who created the first modern violin?
Andrea Amati in Cremona, and Gasparo da Salo in Brescia.
What became the blueprint for violin makers?
Andrea Amati’s 1564 ‘Charles IX’.
What was the greatest century of violin making and why?
1560-1750 as there were many great violin makers, such as:
- Jacob Stainer
- Nicolo Amati
- Guiseppe Guarneri
- Antonio Stradivari
What was the purpose and use for the modern violin?
Originally, the violin was made to mimic and double the human voice and the accompany dancing. However, 17th century composers made more demands for it in operas, sonatas and concerti.
What changes in structure occurred to the modern violin and why?
The construction if bigger halls required the following changes in structure:
- higher bridge
- sound post thickened
- belly thinned
- fingerboard lengthened
- neck thinned
- neck sharply angled to body
When was the final, modernised violin made and by who?
In 1710 by Stradiveri and Guaneri.
When was the chin rest introduced and by who?
In 1820 by Spohr.
What wood is used in the making of a modern violin?
- top = spruce
- back and ribs = maple
- fingerboard = ebony
- strings = gut/steel
How did vibrato originate?
Vibrato was originally an ornamentation specified in composition of the 18th century, however became constant in the 19th century.
How does sound travel through the violin?
Strings cause vibrations -> transferred to belly and back via the bridge and sound post -> f-holes cause more resonance.
What is the disadvantage of varnish?
Varnish does not improve the tone. Instead:
- hard varnish causes hard sound that lacks tone colour
- thick, oily varnish inhibits the vibrations through the wood.
