Scan 102
The violin: its famous makers and their imitators, 1884
4 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. Printed page 50. See the scan on archive.org.
1without plating, which have a powerful sound; and, lastly, there are those which are made with mixed wire, an arrangement which prevents in a measure the tendency to rise in pitch, a disadvantage common to covered strings and caused by expansion of the metals; these strings, also possess a tone which is a combination of that produced by silver and copper strings. Here again, however, great discrimination is needed, viz., before putting on the fourth string. The instrument must be understood. There are Violins which will take none but fourths of copper, there are others that will be simply crippled by their adoption. It cannot be too much impressed upon the mind of the player that the Violin requires deep and patient study with regard to every point connected with its regulation. So varied are these instruments in construction and constitution, that before their powers can be successfully developed they must be humoured, and treated as the child of a skilful educator, who watches to gain an insight into the character of his charge, and then adopts the best means for its advancement according to the circumstances ascertained.
3The strain and pressure of the strings upon a Violin being an interesting subject of enquiry, I give the annexed particulars from experiments made in conjunction with a friend interested in the subject, and possessed of the necessary knowledge to arrive at accurate results.
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