Yita's Baroque Viola, or Tuning a Modern Viola to 415?

April 12, 2013 at 06:47 PM · First of all, I am not a viola player, but will give you my answers based on what I heard from my 2 viola colleagues that played in baroque ensemble and my experience with gut strings and baroque violin.

1. Could I simply tune my modern viola to play at 415 like a baroque viola? If 'yes', what strings would work best? Please keep in mind that there isn't a big selection of C strings for 14" violas.

>>> Yes, you can. One viola player told me how it took her viola about 6 months to "get used" to less tension. It may also be that the player (you) and not the instrument has to get used to lower tension. If the instrument is used to and sounds best with current tension (whatever gauge it is), it would make more sense to use the same brand of strings, keep the same tension by simply adding one step thicker strings and tune A to 415Hz. For example, if you are currently using medium gauge, switch to "stark" or "strong". (Shorter vibrating sting length on 14' viola might already sound better with thicker stings at 440Hz, but the same logic applies.)

2. If I get Yitamusic's Baroque viola, would it be heresy to experiment with synthetic strings as well as traditional gut? My thinking is it isn't a true Baroque viola anyway...

>>> No heresy. 2 examples: Julia Wedman from Tafelmusik uses Obligato G and D (see her CD Biber: Mystery sonatas). Stanley Ritchie uses Obligato G on his Maggini (see his book "Before the chinrest"). On the other hand, some baroque violinists, such as Elizabeth Walfisch are very peculiar about the choice of strings. Only wound gut core G with is allowed, the rest must be pure gut. In real life, it all depends what sound are you looking for. Some instruments do not sound good with certain strings.

Perhaps a good example how the style and even sound is not driven exclusively by the tools is Nicola Benedetti's CD "Italia". She only borrowed a baroque bow from Rachel Podger, but kept her synthetic strings. Listen and tell if you like it.

Lastly, If you are still in doubt, call Damian Dlugolecki, the string maker: http://www.damianstrings.com/ I am sure he will give you the best advice when it comes to choice of pure gut stings and modern viola setup.

April 12, 2013 at 09:49 PM · Hi Amrita,

I'm a baroque violinist and violist, and I can relate to your question.

-You can use both your modern viola or the Yitamusic instrument as a baroque instrument, although keep in mind that switching the viola back and forth between gut and metal strings isn't a great idea (the instrument develops differently with the different strings, so there's no need to confuse it!). Find a good combination and stick with it. Changing pitch between 415 and 440 is not a problem, although of course the longer you leave it in the same pitch, the more stable the tuning is.

-In terms of what strings to get, it depends on how much you want to experiment. Helicore strings are steel core, which is kind of a shame to use with gut strings, in my opinion. The A string should definitely be pure gut, and the D string can go either way (I prefer it in pure gut). G and C can either be covered gut or synthetic core strings (like Obligato, mentioned above).

-Besides Damian, you might also consider Gamut strings for your pure gut strings. I have used both, and they both have their own different strong points. Either Damian or Dan should be able to help you pick out the right gauges (diameter of the string).

-Keep in mind that the sound of a baroque instrument doesn't come from tuning to 415 or playing with gut strings alone, although it is a part of the equation. If you choose to continue to use your modern instrument and wish to use it mostly for baroque music, you can consider a baroque tailpiece and bridge, which will make the biggest effect on the sound of the instrument (but would make it less suited for modern viola playing).

Hope this helps!

April 13, 2013 at 12:10 AM · Thank you both Rocky and AJ. This is wonderful information!

April 13, 2013 at 07:53 AM · i'm very happy with zyex strings from d'addario. mine is a 16" viola so i was advised to buy the "long" set. they have a uniform tone throughout. the "c" holds its tone - not at all mushy - and i like that the "a" has a synthetic core as well, instead of metal.

i tune to 432 hz. - not all the way down to 415.

mine is a shoulderless viola, which looks baroque-ish but i keep the chin rest and modern tailpiece - purely for comfort and better tuning. when necessary, i place a small piece of chamois over both to hide them.

also, just in case you experience some anti-chinese snobbery, my luthier gave mine the thumbs up - she said in general, inexpensive, chinese made instruments are very good. those that's she's seen are genuinely carved and well put together. she suggested they might not last as long as the more crafted instruments but for the money, they're very good - "much better than the cheap instruments made in czechoslovakia during the '50's," she said.

April 13, 2013 at 03:56 PM · "i'm very happy with zyex strings from d'addario."

Based on your experience I will reconsider Zyex for my 14". I've only heard them once, when I went to Southwest Strings for a case and played some of their violas while there. They were all strung with Zyex and I just hated the sound- super LOUD and brash, more like brass trumpets than violas. Yet they are often described as "warm". Perhaps it depends on the instrument and setup...

April 13, 2013 at 04:41 PM · guy who recommended the strings to me suggested there's no such thing as "better" or "best" - it's simply a matter of matching the right strings to your instrument. as quests go, this could be pricey ...

April 14, 2013 at 01:19 AM · In the spirit of tradition I would certainly like to use gut strings on a baroque viola. But the "baroque" viola being considered isn't built according to pure tradition. The neck isn't flat, it's angled like a modern viola. So the angle of strings to bridge and therefore the tension on the bridge, isn't traditional. This "might" make the viola play differently than a pure baroque instrument.

So I was just wondering... if a string of modern technology- one that's been designed to be as "gut-like" as possible- happens to play and sound better than a gut string on such a hybrid instrument, would it be OK to use it. The answer, apparently, is "yes".

When I was younger I studied dressage. In the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, stirrups are not used to perform the "airs above the ground". Recently I saw the Lipizanners perform in the USA. The riders used stirrups. I was shocked at the break with tradition.

After the performance I had the opportunity to talk with one of the riders, and asked him why they were now using stirrups. He explained that they can no longer obtain the traditional white saddles that they used for so many centuries. Those saddles were covered with suede, helping the riders "stick". The new saddles are slippery. Without stirrups, they will fall off. Forced to use modern saddles, they had to adapt their technique.

April 14, 2013 at 06:25 AM · I appreciate your advice. I think I'll keep my 14" the way it is since it's so nice, and get a Baroque-ish viola with a baroque bow as a second. String it up as authentically as possible and go from there. It's all fun!

April 14, 2013 at 07:04 AM · it really depends on whether you want to re-create early music or re-enact it. i'd say the latter is impossible while the former is fun.

i have gut strings on my medieval fiddle - very pukkah - but don't recommend them. normally they're expensive, relative to synthetic string - they don't last as long as synthetic strings and are more susceptible to temperature change and humidity.

on historically informed instruments, the bridge angle puts less pressure of the top of the instrument - producing a quieter, more subdued sound. in my limited experience i've found that muting the bridge slightly and experimenting with different bows (using black or "salt and pepper" horse hair and less of it - 1 gm. as opposed to 2) will produce good results.

as you say, it's all good phun ...

April 14, 2013 at 11:05 AM · good to know - adds weight to the idea of investing in modern instruments as opposed to playing charades.

i suppose the idea of "standard" is a relatively modern concept - a product of assembly line manufacturing. some of the wildly exotic beasts i sometimes see depicted in early paintings defy comprehension. i often wonder how they were handled ... especially if the player is wearing assorted tunics and shawls and has wings.

April 14, 2013 at 06:56 PM · lyndon - might you know where i could see this research? every reference i've seen to date, which distinguishes baroque from modern violins, mentions the thicker saddle, shorter finger board at a lesser angle, etc.. very interested to see anything that challenges this notion. regards - bill

April 16, 2013 at 01:37 PM · grazie!