Pseudo-baroque viola? (Synthetic strings at 415)

February 21, 2012 at 02:10 AM · If you want a feel similar to the one you get when playing medium-gauge synthetic strings, then heavy-gauge synthetic strings tuned down should work well, I would think.

February 21, 2012 at 04:06 AM · So you want to use strings that were unknown in the 18th century and tune them to a pitch that was never universally agreed upon - and this will be "authentic"?

In a treatise dating from the 1600's Christopher Smpson advises tuning the highest string on the viol to the almost its breaking point. There are un-restored organs from the baroque period that are much higher than 440. On the other hand, a tuning fork in the possession of Handel was 410. Leopold Mozart in is treatise on violin playing made note of the problem of going from place to place and having to tune very differently.

February 21, 2012 at 11:30 AM · I have used Aricore with pleasing reults -I find them the closest to wound gut. Use the Aricore synthetic A, not some ghastly steel substitute.

The lower tension at 415Hz is vital to let the wood vibrate freely, and have the crisp "baroque" articulation without harshness.

February 21, 2012 at 11:45 AM · I've used Warchal brilliants on my 16.25 in. viola tuned at 415 without much loss in sound production.

They feel a bit rubber band like though and resonate more than any other string I've every tried.

February 23, 2012 at 12:23 PM · Tuning down from 440 to 415 will have no historical effect on your instrument whatsoever. String tensions could actually be quite high in the baroque, especially in places like Venice. One great secret is to get a baroque bow which will really help in learning and playing with period technique, nuancing, etc. DO NOT buy one off Ebay. There are good baroque bows coming from China but they don't show up on Ebay. Glad you want to experience early music.

February 23, 2012 at 04:37 PM · My understanding is that the reason for some folks tuning A-415 during the baroque period is that it was a sweet spot for the harpsichord.

April 4, 2017 at 10:29 AM · Update:

Back in 2012, I wanted to get back into Baroque after a number of years away from the the baroque violin. My main concern initially was readjusting to playing with without the chin rest, shoulder rest & using a baroque bow. I was very busy with my main studies at the time which is why I thought I didn't want the hassle of gut strings & I thought it would have been more useful at the time to have an instrument that I could put a chin rest on to serve as a spare if needed.

Happy to say that for the last 3 and a bit years it's been serving me as a proper Baroque viola with the appropriate gut strings.

April 4, 2017 at 01:24 PM · Hi Simon,

You may try A and D with unwounded gut strings, like Aquila, and G and C with Dominant. And no fine tuner.

The main problem with gut strings is the wounded ones, G and C, which get out of tune easily and are expensive than synthetic ones. The others A and D, with plain gut, are more stable.

If you are going to use A = 415 Hz, a good choice is 82 to A and 104 or 108 to D, HR or HV.

And don't forget, a good wood bow.

Have fun !

April 6, 2017 at 12:03 PM · Hmm. The string tension may have been high in some locations, but the angle the strings make over the bridge was usually less, with less downward pressure, and freer wood vibrations. Tuning to 415 (or lower) on a modern setup will give us some simulation of baroque response. Then, holding the bow further from the frog (as seen in many illustrations) will suit this lower tension ,even though the hair will still be too tight.

Then there is the cut of the bridge...