Friday, December 20, 2013

A Brief Guide To Violin Accessories

By Cornelia White


A violin can be a big investment. In order to ensure you properly look after it you need to be sure that it is kept in the best condition. Therefore it is worth investing in the right violin accessories so that you can keep it stored properly as well as ensuring you get the best possible sound from your instrument.

The first thing to make sure is you have the right case. A lot of the time a music store will include a case with the instrument. However you may wish to trade it for a more solid one in order to keep the instrument more secure while transporting it as well as reducing the risk of damage to it.

Another way to improve the sound of the instrument is by using rosin. Rosin is a kind of sap that is used to create additional grip or friction between the bow and the string. If you do not apply rosin it can be very clear to the listener as the instrument does not produce a lot of sound without it.

Rosins can vary in quality and the best results will inevitably come from the higher grade products. The best will be mixed with other ingredients such as gold or silver. This mixture of additional ingredients results in a richer tone of sound from the violin. If you do buy a higher grade of rosin you should remember to rehair your bow as the resulting mixture of old and new rosin will not result in sufficiently better sound quality.

One area that violinists debate is whether or not you need a shoulder rest or indeed what kind. Some people improvise shoulder rests themselves, fashioning them from blocks of wood or sponges. Others purchase shoulder rests because of fears they will drop or damage without them.

Another aspect to this debate is how a shoulder rest affects the relationship between the musician and the instrument they play. Some feel that the rest creates a distance and this affects the way a musician plays. Ultimately there is no right or wrong and it is up to you to decide how this is most appropriate to your particular playing style and how comfortable you feel. You can also purchase a chin rest. For a lot of people this makes them feel more comfortable as they play. As with shoulder rests some musicians believe this also separates the musician from their instrument.

Those opposed to using a shoulder rest maintain that this will result in a distance between the violinist and their instrument. Therefore they are also opposed to chin rests for a similar reason. Regardless of whether or not you object to this what is true that the relationship between a violinist and their instrument is often a personal one and therefore it can be very difficult to say what is right or wrong in this particular aspect as it is about the personal comfort of the person playing the instrument.

You can purchase violin accessories from music stores, websites and a variety of other sources. Ideally you want to purchase from people who can talk with you about your requirements and what is appropriate to you. Look online to get advice from other musicians as well as feedback and customer reviews to find the ideal accessories to suit your needs.




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