loud violins- how to

March 23, 2005 at 05:43 AM · Repeating the Heifetz story

[Lifts violin to ear] "Funny i dont hear anything"

It can't solely be placed on the violin. It's how you make the volume of your tone. Of course there are physical properties such as the type of wood, when the wood was grown, the way every millimeter of the violin is carved, but more important factors are how YOU handle the violin. What kind of bow you use, what string, pressure of bow, placement of bow, angle of bow, speed of bow and much more.

Basically what you're looking for is what all violinists are looking to perfect.

March 23, 2005 at 11:37 AM · Hi,

Why would you want a violin to sound "louder"?! I can't see any reason why... More resonant is a different matter, but louder serves nothing in a hall.

Just my own two cents...

Cheers!

March 23, 2005 at 11:55 AM · Stroh violins are nice and loud. And what a tone!

Benjamin

March 23, 2005 at 08:19 PM · we need the luthiers in here. i suspect it is a geat deal of factors.

March 23, 2005 at 09:00 PM · I've played for years on a very soft violin. It has a wonderful tone under my ear, and is a joy to listen to ... as long as you're within about 10 feet of me.

So now that I'm performing more -- playing in noisy venues, too -- I need something with a little more projection. It's not that I need something "loud", but I need something loud... something that can be heard by my audience. And, ideally, something that I love on my shoulder.

There are things that you can do to increase your projection -- pay attention to your bowing technique, for one. On the instrument itself, every accessory can affect the sound -- the bridge and soundpost, certainly, but also the tailpiece and even the tuners. You can also choose your brand of strings carefully, to find the best match for your instrument.

Eventually, though, you may realize that your violin either is or is not suitable for a large hall. There are lovely instruments that are referred to as "chamber" instruments -- suited to a small, intimate space, like my beloved violin.

March 23, 2005 at 10:10 PM · Use a lot of rosin in order to get a loud sound from your violin.

March 23, 2005 at 11:15 PM · A higher bridge can definitely help make the violin much louder and powerful.

March 24, 2005 at 07:27 AM · What you want is a violin that has good tone and projects it well. Many fiddles are loud under the ear, but can not project good tone enough to fill a hall or even a room. Projection is more important than volume, imho.

March 24, 2005 at 03:32 PM · I think that people new to string instruments confuse rich tones full of overtones (harmonics) with "loudness."

This reminds me of a recent experience at Thanksgiving time visiting friends on Cape Cod. A little girl pulled out her 3/4 violin to play for me. At first I thought it was a loud for a small violin, but I realized in a millisecond that I was struck by the abundant overtones produced by her Eastman violin.

March 24, 2005 at 03:28 PM · I find Loudness to be very different from the element of projection in a violin. Many may not realize, but most Stradivaris are not booming under the ear or in a small room. This is because the richness of their overtones are compacted into that tiny space, where as in a concert hall they can really ring and sing out. To project well (much better than to be louder), the first step is to have good intonation so that your violin's overtones will resonate at their best and will produce optimum sound waves. Next, you can try play closer to the bridge (Soundpoint 3-4)- Hint:Most Soloists do not go beyond soundpoint 2 in order to be heard more clearly. A faster bow speed would also help as well with more applied arm pressure from your bowing arm. I think it's so funny that every violinist wants to have this booming instrument, but when you finally have it, what will you want next?

March 24, 2005 at 03:56 PM · "I think it's so funny that every violinist wants to have this booming instrument, but when you finally have it, what will you want next? "

How do you diminish to pianissimo on a boombox? I prefer the "layers" that my instrument provides, and the challenge in learning to find them. (Some day I'll learn to express myself musically in proper English).