Latest news with #violin
Geek Girl Authority
26-05-2025
- General
- Geek Girl Authority
What Makes a Good Violin for Advanced Players? Quality and Performance Explored
There are lots of violins ranging from different models, sizes, and qualities. Even if you're an advanced player, it's still hard to choose the right one for you. One important thing to take note of is that there is no perfect instrument, but there is one out there suited to your style, preferences, and skills. So, if you're an advanced player, what makes a good violin? Let's explore the details here! The Importance of Tone and Sound Quality Regardless if you're a beginner or an advanced player, it's a must to have a violin that sounds good . Typically, the sound production quality depends on how it's built and the materials it has. For instance, a violin made of spruce and maple has better sound quality than one made from laminated wood. Since you're an advanced player, you need and you demand an instrument with a high-quality tone and sound since it'll reflect your skills when playing. Craftsmanship and Materials A. Fine Craftsmanship A good violin requires fine and meticulous craftsmanship, like one made by a professional luthier. There are mass-produced violins, but these don't have proper setups and fittings, which is a bad deal. What makes a good violin is one that is handcrafted and cared for by a luthier. B. Wood Selection A quality violin is made with premium or seasoned wood like maple and spruce, as we said earlier. These woods can project sound better than laminated woods. Only experienced luthiers can identify seasoned woods perfect for violins. They know if a wood will make great sound quality or not. Handmade vs. Factory-Made Aside from the wood, it's also important to take note of how the violins are made. Handmade violins are made with care, attention to detail, and exquisite techniques of a luthier. They also ensure proper setup and exact fittings, which are not present on factory-made violins. Since these instruments are mass-produced, there is no individual attention given, which can degrade the quality. Playability and Comfort As an advanced player, what I am after aside from quality is the playability and comfort. Although I believe that if the violin has quality materials, playability and comfort surely follow. It won't be hard to play, plus very comfortable even with long hours of practice sessions. Projection and Power Concert soloists require instruments that project clearly over orchestral accompaniment. Good violins for advanced players have this natural projection. The instrument should play nicely in the back of concert halls, with focused sound that maintains clarity across large venues. This projection comes from optimal resonance patterns within the violin's body and effective energy transfer from strings through the bridge to the soundboard. Durability and Longevity Professional instruments are a type of investment that should maintain their quality for years and even decades. There are superior construction methods promoting structural integrity despite frequent use and travel. Likewise, the varnish should protect the wood while enhancing acoustic properties. Cost and Value for Advanced Players When it comes to cost, a professional violin often ranges from $10,000 to hundreds of thousands. What makes a good violin worth this investment is its ability to grow with the player through years of artistic development. Conclusion What makes a good violin for advanced players is the great combination of craftsmanship, materials, playability, and acoustic properties. Remember, your instrument should motivate you to express yourself without limitations. If you're an advanced player, you should seek instruments that not only meet your needs right now but also offer room for continued growth. While finding such an instrument requires patience and careful evaluation, the right violin becomes an irreplaceable partner in musical expression. 5 Great Books About Libraries and Librarians RELATED: Five retellings of classic stories you need to read!
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iconic Long Island's Kolstein's Music appears to close doors for good, clears out dozens of pricey bass violins
A Long Island violin shop that's been open since the 1940s appears to have closed its doors for good — but the bitter business dispute between the founder's family and current owner still has no coda in sight. About three dozen bass violins, including a $250,000 Panormo bass violin, in the storeroom of Kolstein's Music in Baldwin were loaded onto a truck last week by owner Manny Alvarez, according to court papers. Alvarez, who has been accused of failing to pay out proceeds from consignment sales to instrument owners, has been locked in a legal battle over the business with Barrie Kolstein, whose father Samuel launched the store in 1943, according to court papers. Kolstein ran the business himself for decades before handing the reins to Alvarez in 2019 — but alleges in his lawsuit that the instruments Alvarez took belonged to him. 'I worked my whole life in this shop. My father put his whole life into this shop, it's internationally well-respected and in almost five and a half years the shop is no more,' Kolstein told The Post. Alvarez worked at the store on an off since he was 15, when he first came in and saw a violin his family couldn't afford, Kolstein said. So the owner offered him a job. 'It's just such a sad situation,' Kolstein, 75, said. 'I didn't want this for him. I didn't want this for my shop. I didn't want this for my clients. It's heartbreaking.' Along with the inventory, Kolstein retained ownership of the building and the store name, keeping a small office in the store while Alvarez ran the business, he said in court papers. The two were embroiled in an ongoing legal dispute over their ownership agreement when Kolstein noticed something wrong with the store's surveillance cameras Thursday. By Friday, the cameras were disconnected and an employee's wife confirmed Alvarez took the instruments, along with Kolstein's personal computer, file cabinet and items from his dad including handmade bows, according to the litigation. Both sides are due in court June 9. 'I hope I can get my inventory back. That would be my wish,' Kolstein said. 'What probably hurts me more than anything is to see the work of my father gone. I would love to see the business close with some dignity.' 'We will be addressing the matter in court,' a lawyer for Alvarez said.
CBS News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Tennis player from Massachusetts used her passion for violin to heal from car crash injury and keep playing
Swansea tennis player is also an aspiring violinist off the court Swansea tennis player is also an aspiring violinist off the court Swansea tennis player is also an aspiring violinist off the court A tennis player at Joseph Case High School in Swansea, Massachusetts overcame an injury from a car crash to return to her two passions: tennis and playing the violin. High school senior Jade Vadeboncoeur does it all - by day, she balances a load of AP courses. After school, she plays multiple sports, including tennis, where she dominates on the courts of Swansea. "I get so excited to play, tennis just lets me be me," said Vadeboncoeur. "She's incredible. You go town to town and Jade's the best player in this area," said Case High School tennis coach, Mackenzie Deschenes. Violin brings her peace For most people, that would probably be enough. But Vadeboncoeur said that her real passion starts when she walks off the court. She said playing the violin is when she truly feels at peace. "I've been playing my violin for about eight years. I started when I was in fourth grade," said Vadeboncoeur. "The violin calms me down significantly. Like with all the overwhelming everything, I feel like just playing the violin is an escape from all the stress and I can just truly be myself." In the fall, Vadeboncoeur will attend Ithaca College in New York to study music education. It's a dream that was threatened a couple of years back when a car crash stopped her from playing. Suffered concussion in car crash "I'm driving on the highway home from orchestra one day and it was pouring, pouring on the highway and we were going significantly under the speed limit and somebody hydroplaned and hit us," said Vadeboncoeur. Vadeboncoeur suffered a serious concussion that took her more than a year to recover from. She thought her days of playing tennis might be over. "I had constant headaches, I was constantly tired," said Vadeboncoeur. "That was something we struggled with last year, for sure," said Deschenes. "We didn't want to push her too hard but she's a competitor so she herself wanted to be challenged, wanted to be pushed." It was her perseverance, her love of the game and the violin that Vadeboncoeur said helped her heal and continue playing. "I wanted to keep going with everything because I love everything that I do," said Vadeboncoeur.
