The question being addressed here is not whether old instruments sound better than new ones but how one develops the tone in instruments that have seldom or never been played.
The best critics combine a deep understanding of repertoire, performance practice, and historical context with the ability to communicate effectively to both novice and experienced audiences.
“I feel like this violin has a soulful quality in its timbre, and the clarity of the tone really complements my playing,” says Um.
By Megan Westberg | From the January/February 2025 issue of Strings String players will often begin their training long before they have grown into full-size instruments. To give budding musicians a tuneful start, the most must be made of fractional…
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After nearly two decades of playing cello for the Avett Brothers, Kwon has learned that the touring life can be challenging for musicians and instruments alike.
“Sometimes you don’t find an instrument, but an instrument finds you, and this was the case for me,” says Zlata Brouwer about her ca. 1840 German violin.
Foldable and compact, the Luna for viola is made of a composite polymer material and weighs in at just 40 grams.
Thanks in part to their high durability, low cost, recyclability, and ever-improving sound quality, 3D-printed instruments are finding their way into the hands of players of all ages and levels.
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The VSA’s 50th anniversary isn’t just a milestone; it’s a launchpad into the next era of violin making and restoration.
These were developed to provide players with “a silvery and lustrous quality of sound”
Here's what a traveling musician should know before booking their next flight overseas
Craske crafted 2,050 violins, 300 violas, and 250 cellos—but only 20 double basses, making them notably scarce
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This new shoulder rest is highly customizable
Goffriller was a prominent member of the musical instrument makers’ guild in Venice, at least until around 1710
What many string players don’t realize is that many of the materials instrument and bow makers rely on are vulnerable, and some are officially endangered
"The notes ring on after you play, which is very beautiful and changes the whole sound of the instrument"
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Though he is best known for his Violectras, each instrument he makes is unique
The set for viola is meant to sit at the very center of the spectrum of sound between broad and focused
When George arrived in Astoria in the 1870s, he was America’s preeminent violin maker; among his chief rivals was his brother, August Martin Ludwig
Of Jamaican heritage and English birth, Witter-Johnson plays world music with a personal stamp all her own.
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The respected restorer, maker, dealer, and trusted authenticator is also known for his line of True Copy instruments
The music reveals an instrument capable of producing tones in surprisingly varied spectrums of texture and color
A six-string acoustic cello would allow for greater range of tone, though building one would definitely pose challenges
American farmers took their skills and sharp blades to making violins with advice that was decidedly vague
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