Books › An Encyclopedia of the Violin, 1925 › scan 214
Scan 214
An Encyclopedia of the Violin, 1925
35 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 186. See the scan on archive.org.
1The method indicated by the slurs above the notes is the correct one; the method indicated by the arrows underneath the notes is the incorrect one.
3Tone may be improved by study, but usually it is a natural gift (?) and excellent violinists sometimes have all the trouble in the world in securing a quality of tone which will be at the same time valid and charming.
5I have made a profound analysis of the best manner of working to secure a good tone, or, rather, a sustained tone, and have come to the conclusion that in order to gain the desired result, the violinist should be able to sustain his tone for a full minute without using the tremolo or playing with harshness.
7The tone should gradually gain perfect evenness and equality:
9Even tone
11Uneven at nut
13Uneven at point
15It may be perfected by practicing the production of an even, sustained tone without crescendo or diminuendo, using the lower or the upper third of the bow.
17Furthermore, in securing a genuine sustained tone, the problem has to be solved which is offered by the passage of the bow without shock across the four strings.
19The idea is by no means new, since the immortal Viotti—and, no doubt, other masters before him—have anticipated its application.
21It has been claimed that the tone of Pietro Nardini was of unequaled beauty, and that his mode of playing was sustained to such a degree that his audiences never failed to react to its charm.
23The following exercise makes an excellent study in this connection:
25Correct Silent In correct Correct In correct In correct one of two readings
26Correct Silent In correct Correct In correct one of two readings
28A certain amount of preparation on the part of the bow should precede the taking of the note to be played. Besides, where the execution is concerned this preparation is absolutely essential and should be employed at all times.
30This preparation is applicable as well to the sustained playing of the notes to the sustained tone, as to technique pure and simple, and any student who cares to take the trouble to learn how to judge the great artists will soon realize that their playing is based on three essentials:
321. Prudence
332. Calmness
343. Preparation
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.