Customer Reviews

The Violin Explained: Components, Mechanism, and Sound

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book contains the most important physical aspects of how a violin works, in a format you wont need a Ph.D. to understand. While "The Physics of the Violin" is a more complete reference, this manuscript does a better job of putting the physical principles in the contexts of musicians and luthiers. I recommend it to every violinist, especially those who like to tinker with their instrument!

The mechanical physics involed in sound being produced by a violin are concisely explained. The book relates what the physical principles are that determine the overall sound, while at the same time maintaining a respect for the craftmen of old who created so many legends about why a violin sounds as it does. I like this book!

Though I enjoyed reading this book, and would recommend it, mainly to a newer violin builder, it fell way short of what I was looking for. Maybe because of my science background (structural engineer) I was looking for something a little more scientific, rather than a really dummed down book for non-science builders. It really wasn't that helpful for me, as I already knew, or have heard everything in this book several times. Still, a well written and useful book, but not if you are a physicist or want any real specific data. I really enjoyed his wife's book on violin construction though "Violin Making, by Julliet Barker", but even that one leaves out some useful tips for the total beginner. The best all around violin book on construction, I believe, is "The Art of Violin Making" by Johnson/Courtnall. Another book, a little like this one, fairly hokey, but a good read, and nice DVD, is the "Tap Tuning" book by Siminoff. The more I learn, and the more I build and set up violins, I think that having 500 fiddles under your belt, and setting up hundreds others is much more practical than all the scientific dogma in the world. Its amazing what a good bridge, and well fit sound post do to nearly any decent fiddle. Just take your time and enjoy, both the frustration and the joy that comes after the mistakes and experiments.

I found the author to be very knowledgeable,
but his verbal descriptions with a minimum of illustrations,
makes getting his point very tedious and labor-some.
As a Product Development Engineer, I recognize the value
of concepts explained with meaningful words and well
detailed illustrations. This book lacks the latter.

So I thought I already knew what was going on with music and physics, but now I know less than I did when I started this book. Since most music physics books use the violin as an example, you can get this information cheaper and presented in a more organized fashion elsewhere (I will not shamelessly promote any author here). It seems to be a case of, "this is this, and that is that, but not when this is something else..." etc.
BUT this would make a good book for an aspiring string player who wants to know the "how" of the instrument without understanding too much about the "why".
So basically, if you are a physicist, this book is a no. You'll see why when you read the free sample.
snore.