Week 1

Introduction to the String Instruments

The Bow

I. Introduction to the String Instruments

A. History

1. Early Ancestors to Modern Instruments (Slide Version)
2. Modern Instruments
3. Mass Production
4. Labels
   
   

B. Principles of Tone Production
C. Use of Strings in the Orchestra

1. Open Strings and Full Range of the String Family
   
   

D. Parts of the String Instruments
E. Violin
F. Viola
G. Cello
H. Bass

Other Links:

• Andrea Amati-Birth of the Violin. This is a pdf file.
• Between Baroque and Now -Jon Speak
• The Vazquez Collection of Historical String Instruments
  of the 16th to the 18th Century-great site with beautiful pictures of period instruments
• Stradivarius-Wikipedia Article
• Smithsonian Institute Musical Instruments-Fun sight for some further background on famous instrument makers.
• Ruggiero Ricci and the Violin Past, Present, and To Come, Fanfare - The Magazine for Serious Record Collectors
• The Violin Makers' Ancestors Tree-It's All in the Family!
• Federation of Viola da Gamba Societies, Everything you want to know about the gamba family
• The Way Famous String Instruments Went-Who owns those great Italian instruments.
• Bows and Strings-The Acoustics of String Playing

II. The Bow

A. Early Bows
B. The Modern Bow
C. Bow Sizes
D. Parts of the Bow
E. Tightening the Bow
F. Rosining the Bow

Other Links:

• The Spiccato Bow-The latest in bow technology! I'm sure some of you have tried or own a carbon fiber bow

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