Tuesday, 29 November 2011

Violin Maker - StringWorks

When we listen to a piece rendered by Yehudi Menuhin, the famous American violinist, we are transported into a different world thanks to his music. Yehudi, like many others is known to have begun playing the violin from the age of 3 and became among the leading violinists and music conductors. The way the notes flow by, and the soothing sound of the violins is enough to get a person hooked on this instrument. Violins are also string instruments, much like the viola and cello, except they are smaller in size which is made up with their high pitch ranges. Also called the fiddle, these have been around for decades now, swaying people across the globe with its gentle sounds. Originally bowed instruments are said to have originated from the Asian continents and eventually spread to other parts of the world. The kind of music that is emitted from a violin depends largely on its shape and the wood that has been used in its making. The varnish coated on top and the wood that has gone into it, are said to get better with age, which is why older violins are far more expensive than new ones.

Some of the violins are admired for their ability to produce music while others for their appearances. What was once originally used mainly in classical music has today transitioned to being a part of Rock bands and even Jazz music compositions. A good example of this is “The Corrs”, a band that relied primarily on their lead violinist to give the song its warmth and feel. For example, when we listen to “Devil’s trill” by Vanessa Mae, we feel the strength of the instrument and the way different notes are played on it. And if one watches the video, they can enjoy the beauty of the instrument and the different shapes and sizes, colours it is made in. This goes to show that different people are comfortable using different kinds of violins and words no longer matter when the instrument is powerful enough to mesmerize the listener. The violin is capable of helping a person relax or get up and dance, depending on the way it is played, for it can reach high notes without sounding harsh.

Another popular band that has made the violins famous is the Australian quartet called Bond, who use violins as the base for all their songs. Most of the violins are made using the best European woods and available in different sizes to suit one’s needs. So, if you are interested in taking lessons or are looking for a good violin, you can check out http://www.stringworks.com/ to understand the way violins are made, and how each of them. If you are looking for violins that produce rich sounds and look smart, you can try out the ones in the Artist collection. These websites not only sell or rent out violins, but have forums where people can ask queries or have discussions on topics related to violins.

Buy Violas - StringWorks Violas maker

Audiences across the world enjoy various concerts through the year, each one different and unique. Most of them are either solo performances or in groups of about 4-6 members. In case of groups, you will see a drummer, guitarist, vocalist and one who melts out beautiful tunes on the viola. Yes, you read it right; it is the viola and not violin. This is also a stringed instrument which is bowed very much like the violin. A person unfamiliar with this instrument might mistake it for the violin at first glance going by its size and near similar pitch range, but will realize it is very different upon close inspection. The timbre is much more full bodied and is used to play soft harmonies in concerts. Unfortunately there are not many violists as there are violinists. At times referred to as the big fiddle, the violas parallel the alto voice in a choir group.

Violas are also placed with a bow where the instrument is placed on the shoulder, which gets people more confused. If a child is playing the instrument, the size of the viola would be around 12 inches and for adults it could go anywhere from 13 to 16.5 inches depending on their comfort level and their years of experience. Off late, with people facing problems in holding and playing the viola, there are some being made using lighter material and are much shorter. Some are manufactured with a shoulder cut while others come with an additional bout for comfort. Because of its large body, it needs higher amounts of physical stamina to hold and play this string instrument. For a person interested in playing the viola, they need to understand that since it is fitted with thicker strings, they will have to apply extra pressure to get music to come out perfectly.

There are different kinds of violas, based on a person’s level of experience and while making a selection, this factor should be kept in mind else the viola player will find it difficult strumming it.  But the beauty of this instrument is that all are hand made and each one is exquisite to look at and play. Among the most famous violas are the ones that Mozart used in his musical notes. He wrote quintets that used two violas in the orchestra and had as important role as a violin.

If you are looking at purchasing a viola, unlike earlier when you had to make a trip to their nearby store to take a look at all the instruments, today you can do the same online. The purchase or rentals come with the assurance that they can return the product if unhappy with it. Simply approach one of the leading websites, such as http://www.stringworks.com/. So, if you are just getting curious about the violas and are not very keen on purchasing, but would like to try your hand at it, no better way but to rent a viola and watch your hands create music.