The Art of Violin Making:

a major reference book about the history, design, and construction of the Violin

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The Art of Violin Making

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ISBN: 0 7090 68764 Format: 210 mm x 297 mm Number of pages: 256

Illustrations: 279 black & white, 30 colour, 160 technical drawings

If you have any difficulty obtaining a copy, contact the publisher direct (Robert Hale Ltd).

The Art of Violin Making is a major reference book for everyone interested in the history of the violin and its method of construction.

The Art of Violin Making is both a craftsman’s handbook and an historical reference, bringing into one volume a summary of essential information for the violin maker, player and historian.

Part One: The Violin Makers is devoted to separate chapters on the life and work of some of the greatest families of violin makers; the Amati, Stradivari, Guarneri, and the unique genius of Jacob Stainer. These chapters include superb colour photographs of the makers’ instruments. Also included is a chapter covering the work of some leading contemporary violin makers.

Part Two: The Workshop, Tools & Materials provides essential information about the tools, working environment and materials needed by the violin maker.

Part Three: Violin Construction is the major part of the book, and comprises a detailed, step-by-step guide to the traditional method of violin making, based closely on the teaching system employed at the world-famous Newark School of Violin Making in England. This section is well-illustrated with several hundred photographs and technical drawings. The method of violin making is presented with great clarity, so that even the newcomer to this fascinating craft will be able to produce a superb instrument.

The book is essential reading both for the violin maker and the historian, providing as it does a unique record of the history, social background, lives and work of the great violin makers of the past, combined with a clear, practical guide to making violins.

Yehudi Menuhin said: "This very comprehensive treatise on an art cherished as much by the professional as by the amateur, will be greatly acclaimed by both. Exhaustive in its detailed exposition of the actual process of construction, and beautifully illustrated, it carries the inspiration and authority of the commitment to perfection." (Read more of Yehudi Menuhin's Foreword)

The Authors:  Roy Courtnall is a luthier, writer and lecturer in musical instrument technology.  

Chris Johnson is a violin maker who graduated from the Newark School.

The Art of Violin Making is published in the United Kingdom by Robert Hale Ltd, 45 Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R OHT. Tel: 0171 251 2661 Fax: 0171 490 4958

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