Books › Violin Without A Master, 1853 › scan 1
Scan 1
Violin Without A Master, 1853
12 lines. Read by computer on 24 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1HINTS TO THE LEARNER.
3There is a common error into which young Violinists often fall, that the strings, and particularly the E, or first string, should be let down after playing. This is a mistake: as the supposition that the strings are less liable to break if they are slackened is false. It not only injures the tone of the instrument for several days, and causes it to become harsh, but the strings are more liable to break by constantly slacking and straining them as in the above case.
5A string will stretch when first put on the instrument, and will not keep in tune; to obviate this difficulty, it should be strung and tuned some hours before playing upon it.
7There is also another erroneous opinion, very common even among scientific violinists, that a Violin will greatly improve by being broken to pieces and glued together again. The effect that this would have upon the tone of the instrument is very uncertain, and the chances are against its being improved by the operation, at least for some time after, as it certainly will cause it to become harsh. This erroneous notion has probably arisen from the fact, that very old Violins, which have often been repaired, are superior to those that are new, and to which no accidents have happened. The superior excellence of old Violins, which have been repaired, over those which have never been broken, must be attributed to their age.
9Particular care should be taken of the Violin, after playing; it should not be left exposed in a damp room, as the dampness becomes absorbed in the instrument, and it will not only deaden the tone, but cause it to become harsh. The Violin should be put in a box or case made for the purpose, if convenient; if not, it should have a covering of some kind of woollen cloth; a piece of green baize, made into a bag, will do very well as a substitute for a case.
11It is a fair presumption that a Violin, preserved with proper care, will double its original value in two years, and will continue to improve as long as proper care is taken of it, as age will not only add to the power and brilliancy of the tone, but cause it to become mellow and smooth.
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