"Playing-in" the Jacob Steiner violin

With fit-up completed and strings at full tension for three days, this instrument was shared with my quintet friends. Along with several very promising comments, this violin needs additional tuners and reworking of the bridge. These tasks were completed this morning. Now to LISTEN carefully. As is typical, I played movements of the d-minor partita. Bridge shaping is quiet satisfactory. The improved sound post location works well. Balance is even. Tone is robust!

Steiner carved scrolls with angel figures. Here, the tail incorporates angels!

Helicore steel string are being tried out first.

The bridge was tapered. Later the bridge will be oiled.

Pegs are showing Steiner like features!

Now, more playing. More Bach!

Great violin teachers.

Great violin music requires not just a great instrument and a miraculous composition, but also great violin instruction! Consider this list of the greatest teachers:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Battista_Viotti
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Joachim
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Bohm
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Rode
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopold_Auer
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucien_Capet
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Galamian

From top to bottom, i.e.1795-1981, these were in turn  teachers of those below in the list and students of those above.

Phyllis Skoldberg studied with Galamian at The Julliard and, after a successful performing career, taught violin at ASU/MCC in Arizona It was my great fortune to study with her during the 2002-2003 period! She instructed me on technique, interpretation, and the design features of this wonderful tool. She taught many more talented students and one of them should write her wikipedia entry!

Jacob Steiner, violin maker of Absam, Austria

Tail with "Steiner" carved angels

Hole for end pin

Bridge fitted for violin "belly"

Tapered end pin

Maybe a black chin rest?

Sound post before insertion

Or a matching gold chin rest?

Strings!

Jacob Steiner, 1617-1683, was an early instrument maker NOT from what is now called Italy! He worked at the same time as the Amatis' in Cremona and his instruments were renown for spectacular sound and great workmanship. It is said he traveled to the workshop of the Amatis' to learn his craft! His success made him "Imperial servant" to the Holy Roman Emperor, Leopold I! I choose this as one of the historically significant" makers because of the arching of the front and back, a much greater arching than the later Strad type constructions. This should give the mellow, sonorous sound characteristic of these early instruments! Perfect for chamber music occasions and performances of "period music". Several of his instruments are preserved in the Tiroler Landesmuseum Innsbruck.

I have completed the instrument " in the white" by April, 2011, and have carefully applied 12 coats of antiqued gold oil varnish. It is now ready for fit-up.

Violins of Plymouth first post!

Violins of Plymouth first post!

The Violins of Plymouth blog begins here.....

Time out from violin making for the "first blog post" describing the first ten years of my violins and violas. Blogspot looks good for a blogging tool. I have lots of photos of fiddles in various states of fabrication. And lots of help in digital photography and blogging. Many friends expect this blog and are interested in specific instruments! Your suggestions and questions will help as there are so many pithy topics.

Violins are about 500 years old in western Europe. As they were introduced and became capable, virtuoso players performed and great composers wrote! Violin design progressed to meet new requirements and to utilize better materials, all good blog topics!

Now, which blog topics should I include? Maybe, how and why I started. What space and "shop tools" did I need? What materials including wood and varnish should be used? Next, how do I choose a candidate reproduction. What is an early violin? Which makers are interesting? How do I match oil finishes? Arching? F-holes? Scrolls? What strings should be considered?

Stay tuned for lots more!