Do I need a 300 year old violin?

By Julian Branington


Do you have to buy an old violin to be a serious musician?

Many people believe that the older a violin, the more magnificent it's sound. That somehow the knowledge of making great instruments was lost centuries ago and only violins made by ancient masters are worth using.

This article will be a guide to people just getting started playing the violin. We are going to learn just what the fuss is about those violins and if you need one to learn.

Let's discuss the virtues and vices of historic violins.

Asking a violin; What's your age?

Want to experience a musical concert like Michelangelo would have heard in Rome? Such a thing is possible when an antique violin is played today. The oldest of these instruments are over five hundred years old and play the sounds of the past for us today.

Who was this Stradivarius Guy?

That's Mr. Antonio Stradivari to you. A master artisan, he is perhaps the most well-known and publicly recognized violin maker of the last thousand years. He lived from 1644 to 1737. He produced over 1000 instruments in his lifetime, of which nearly 500 violins still exist in modern times. In public consciousness, a Stradivarius is considered the pinnacle of musical instruments.

How do I choose?

At this point, you are probably, thinking, great history lesson, but how does this help me decide what to buy? I won't spoil the end for you, but here's a hint, you won't be buying a 300 year old Stradivarius.

What's Age got to do with it?

Do you walk out your front door in the mornings and wish that you travel to work like they did in the 1780s? Let see, walk for miles are take a slow and very pungent horse? Oh, the marvelous wonders of the 18th century. While it may buck traditional wisdom, a violin made in the modern century is in many ways as advanced over an ancient violin as a morning commute in a car is over a ride to the town square in a buggy.

Big Wins with Modern Instruments

Generally, modern instruments cost less. Often significantly less. All violins, regardless of age, need to be maintained. Old violins, especially significantly aged violins require great care and often need restoration work to be played. A good quality modern violin is ready to play and free from the stress ware of time.

The Best Choice

When purchasing a violin, especially your first violin, the most important factors are comfort, sound, and condition. You want to make sure that the violin is the correct size and that it fits comfortably in your arms and when placed at your chin. Is the instrument in good condition? A worn instrument with cracks or other damage will not play properly. When the instrument is played, you also want to make sure that it produces good quality sound.

Regardless of your final choice, you will receive countless rewards from embarking on a lifelong love of classic music with the violin.




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