can you please tell me what violins you play and if you got them secondhand what damage they have.
just so you know, I have an old strad copy with a few scratches but still playable, not bad for £30
Full Version: What Do You Play?
well I have recently become interested in violin restoration and was wondering what makes I should be looking at getting for advanced players.
can you please tell me what violins you play and if you got them secondhand what damage they have.
just so you know, I have an old strad copy with a few scratches but still playable, not bad for £30
can you please tell me what violins you play and if you got them secondhand what damage they have.
just so you know, I have an old strad copy with a few scratches but still playable, not bad for £30
My violin is a Strad copy made in 1890. Has no damage and no repaired damage... it was only £500 (with a £100 bow) but it's a very nice violin and i could do my grade 8 on it. Although i'm getting a new one next year for my grade 8, as my 18th birthday happens to be like a month before my grade 8 
And as a present i'm getting a new like £2000 violin off my parents and grandparents 
(and i have to put some money towards it too!)
And as a present i'm getting a new like £2000 violin off my parents and grandparents (and i have to put some money towards it too!)
QUOTE(Jungfrauenregalbass @ Jul 16 2008, 01:16 PM) 
well I have recently become interested in violin restoration and was wondering what makes I should be looking at getting for advanced players.
How advanced are you describing 'advanced'?Quality is very subjective. If you're lucky, it's possible to pick up a good violin for a very nominal price. Tonal properties are not necessarily governed by price and are even more subjective than outward visual quality, so I won't visit that camp at all. What I will say is that an instrument intended for use by someone who is a competent player, needs to have an even tone across the entire range of the instrument. If they are dead at one end of the range or the other, then they are of little use to anyone beyond about Grade 5 standard.
I play an early 19th century English violin made by James Brown. It's got two repaired (cleated) cracks on the belly, neither of which are in critical places and so do not affect the value of the instrument. The violin is a professional players instrument and I bought it several years ago for £6500, a bargain at the time and compared to what it's worth now, but I guess this may be a rather too advanced violin for that which you had in mind.
I'm not an advanced player but the violin I have is expected to take me to Grade 8 and beyond (if I get that far )
It's probably no help though because it's a new one hand made by a local luthier. I'm just mentioning it because it has a beautiful sound and some really fine qualities. I would encourage people to at least try some of the new instruments made by contemporary makers when making choices about 'advanced' instruments.
I also play a 1919 Scottish violin which is considered better quality although I prefer my new one at the moment. It's been completely restored since being found in pieces in a box after being waterlogged!!! It was put glued back together and re-varnished although I'm not sure what else was done to it - there were no cracks thankfully. I think the neck angle could do with being re-set but it may originally have been made that way. We've had offers to purchase from professional players but it's a family piece.
)It's probably no help though because it's a new one hand made by a local luthier. I'm just mentioning it because it has a beautiful sound and some really fine qualities. I would encourage people to at least try some of the new instruments made by contemporary makers when making choices about 'advanced' instruments.
I also play a 1919 Scottish violin which is considered better quality although I prefer my new one at the moment. It's been completely restored since being found in pieces in a box after being waterlogged!!! It was put glued back together and re-varnished although I'm not sure what else was done to it - there were no cracks thankfully. I think the neck angle could do with being re-set but it may originally have been made that way. We've had offers to purchase from professional players but it's a family piece.
Mine is a Breton Brevette from ~1870, a gorgeous violin that I got a year before my grade 8. It was about £2000. A couple of cracks that were restored but nothing major that affects it greatly.
x
x
QUOTE(AmandaL @ Jul 17 2008, 04:35 PM)
QUOTE(Jungfrauenregalbass @ Jul 16 2008, 01:16 PM)
well I have recently become interested in violin restoration and was wondering what makes I should be looking at getting for advanced players.
How advanced are you describing 'advanced'?Quality is very subjective. If you're lucky, it's possible to pick up a good violin for a very nominal price. Tonal properties are not necessarily governed by price and are even more subjective than outward visual quality, so I won't visit that camp at all. What I will say is that an instrument intended for use by someone who is a competent player, needs to have an even tone across the entire range of the instrument. If they are dead at one end of the range or the other, then they are of little use to anyone beyond about Grade 5 standard.
I play an early 19th century English violin made by James Brown. It's got two repaired (cleated) cracks on the belly, neither of which are in critical places and so do not affect the value of the instrument. The violin is a professional players instrument and I bought it several years ago for £6500, a bargain at the time and compared to what it's worth now, but I guess this may be a rather too advanced violin for that which you had in mind.
thanks for all the replys
I'm thinking advanced is from G7 up (this is just my ways of thinking at the moment).
Thanks
Ben again.
I'm too ashamed to reveal what I play 
Suffice to say it's okay for me because I'm just a beginner. It's okay, but I could do with some new strings I think 
Suffice to say it's okay for me because I'm just a beginner. It's okay, but I could do with some new strings I think
Wow - people have such nice violins *hides her Stentor Student II away*
I play on a French fiddle from the beginning of the 1800's - great bass and clear high notes - balanced over the whole register and in all positions - it's a bit of a love affair, to be honest. He doesn't have any cracks or repairs at all but does look a tiny bit beat up... he's a fighter !
Allan
Allan
I play an Otto Jos Klier 75 from 2004 and an Otto Jos Klier 65A from 2000.
I use Pirastro Eudoxa strings.
I'm hoping to get a really good quality antique violin for when I go to university though 
I don't know what I play!! It has no label inside, although I am told it's probably German, circa 1800. It has had extensive repairs and modification (new neck, entire body deepened) but has a lovely, mellow tone. 
My other violin is a 5-string, made for me by Tim Philips in Wales.
Edit: photos here for someone who asked to see it!
My other violin is a 5-string, made for me by Tim Philips in Wales.
Edit: photos here for someone who asked to see it!
QUOTE(ffliwt @ Jul 16 2008, 02:09 PM)
My violin is a Strad copy made in 1890. Has no damage and no repaired damage... it was only ?500 (with a ?100 bow) but it's a very nice violin and i could do my grade 8 on it. Although i'm getting a new one next year for my grade 8, as my 18th birthday happens to be like a month before my grade 8
And as a present i'm getting a new like ?2000 violin off my parents and grandparents (and i have to put some money towards it too!)I'm confused. Are you saying you started violin when you were 16, are now 17 and planning to take your Grade 8 violin when you're 18??? So basically from zero string playing to Grade 8 violin in 2 years?
QUOTE(Violinia @ Jul 27 2008, 02:18 PM)
I'm confused. Are you saying you started violin when you were 16, are now 17 and planning to take your Grade 8 violin when you're 18??? So basically from zero string playing to Grade 8 violin in 2 years?
Well only cause i had experience from other instruments in the first place (been doing music since i was like 6), huge amounts of practise and an amazing teacher.
Misterioso that 5 string violin looks amazing
The f holes are cool too!
QUOTE(ffliwt @ Jul 27 2008, 05:29 PM)
QUOTE(Violinia @ Jul 27 2008, 02:18 PM)
I'm confused. Are you saying you started violin when you were 16, are now 17 and planning to take your Grade 8 violin when you're 18??? So basically from zero string playing to Grade 8 violin in 2 years?
Well only cause i had experience from other instruments in the first place (been doing music since i was like 6), huge amounts of practise and an amazing teacher.
Well perhaps if you do minimum two hours a day, but really every day, for two years - then it might be possible, and yes all that experience of other instruments will help enormously of course. I have a student who's a very good pianist - she took up violin January last year and is now playing confidently in different positions and with some vibrato, and working on the Grade 5 repertoire. She did a lot of practice last year which is when she made the most progress; this year's progress has been a little slower because she's got less time to practise - I guess I could imagine her tackling Grade 8 repertoire in a year's time if she'd been able to keep up the same regimen of practice. But at the same time it does seem awfully fast to reach that level when you've not played a stringed instrument before, and I haven't heard of anyone getting to Grade 8 violin that quickly. The technical demands at that level are pretty intense, so I wish you the best of luck!
Everyone on here says that =(
I do completely understand how difficult violin is and how long it takes to become a grade 8 player but i work so hard - i do do atleast 2 hours violin a day, (aswell as an hour and a half of flute x_x) and so far i've got distinctions in my exams - though i understand grade 8 is a completely different level. My teacher is *really* amazing and a great teacher and wouldnt put me in for things/suggest things i couldnt do and i'd never put myself in for things i wasn't capable of either. So far it's going well, but if i'm not capable of a *very* comfortable pass at the time then i'll simply wait longer to take the exam Grade 8 isn't my goal, my goal is just to be a really good violinist
This topic (me ""rushing"") comes up so much and i just swear i'm not one of those people who race to grade 8 without enjoying it! I loooove playing violin and adore every minute of it
I hope this topic never comes up again >_<
I do completely understand how difficult violin is and how long it takes to become a grade 8 player but i work so hard - i do do atleast 2 hours violin a day, (aswell as an hour and a half of flute x_x) and so far i've got distinctions in my exams - though i understand grade 8 is a completely different level. My teacher is *really* amazing and a great teacher and wouldnt put me in for things/suggest things i couldnt do and i'd never put myself in for things i wasn't capable of either. So far it's going well, but if i'm not capable of a *very* comfortable pass at the time then i'll simply wait longer to take the exam
Grade 8 isn't my goal, my goal is just to be a really good violinist This topic (me ""rushing"") comes up so much and i just swear i'm not one of those people who race to grade 8 without enjoying it! I loooove playing violin and adore every minute of it
I hope this topic never comes up again >_<
Haha ffliwt, I'm planning to take grade 8 at the same time as you but by that point I will have been playing for 10 years! 
I'm not saying what you're doing is bad, it sounds like you're doing fantastically - 
- I just slightly resent the fact my 10/11/12/13/14 year old self didn't do any practice. 
Good luck with it - should start a different thread I suppose or use the already-existing one but do you have any idea which pieces you'll do yet?
I'm not saying what you're doing is bad, it sounds like you're doing fantastically - - I just slightly resent the fact my 10/11/12/13/14 year old self didn't do any practice. Good luck with it - should start a different thread I suppose or use the already-existing one but do you have any idea which pieces you'll do yet?
QUOTE(ffliwt @ Jul 27 2008, 10:19 PM)
Everyone on here says that =(
I do completely understand how difficult violin is and how long it takes to become a grade 8 player but i work so hard - i do do atleast 2 hours violin a day, (aswell as an hour and a half of flute x_x) and so far i've got distinctions in my exams - though i understand grade 8 is a completely different level. My teacher is *really* amazing and a great teacher and wouldnt put me in for things/suggest things i couldnt do and i'd never put myself in for things i wasn't capable of either. So far it's going well, but if i'm not capable of a *very* comfortable pass at the time then i'll simply wait longer to take the exam
Grade 8 isn't my goal, my goal is just to be a really good violinist I'm not racing to grade 8 it's just that it started off that me and my teacher wanted me to get it done before i left school, then i decided to take a year out - then i decided i wanted to do a double study on flute and violin after my year out
(in another 2 years). Now we've realised i've got extra time we said that if needs be i can wait an extra term, so i may be waiting until November next year rather than July next year This topic (me ""rushing"") comes up so much and i just swear i'm not one of those people who race to grade 8 without enjoying it! I loooove playing violin and adore every minute of it
I hope this topic never comes up again >_<
In an old thread here it was said that it takes about 2000 hours of violin practice to get from beginner to Grade 8. So in two years that would be 1000 hours a year, which is about 3 hours a day. Two just may not be enough, but who knows?!?
Nobody's trying to put you off - they're just being realistic. Also, surely a more slowly achieved distinction at Grade 6 would be more worthwhile than a scraped pass at Grade 8? I know what I'd rather listen to, and it wouldn't be the scraped Grade 8!
Thanks I have no idea which pieces yet There's a grade 8 piece i've been working on that i looove, Mozart concerto no.3 movement 3, (i think thats it?) but i'm pretty sure it's not on the syllabus anymore I love the Czardas too though
The pieces i'm doing at the moment though are mostly grade 6 and 7 - the pieces im doing for my grade 6 are A3 Vivace (i think that's what it's called!), B3 Tempo di minuetto and C1 tico tico - which is really fun And can't stop playing Schindler's list too Me and my pianist friend are thinking about playing it in our school's christmas concert =]
Have you chosen your pieces yet? And what pieces did you do for your grade 6?
Also i know no-one's trying to put me off (i think) and i do appreciate your help And i know that i sound quite crazy But so far i'm doing quite well and i'm gonna do what my teacher thinks i can - after all she knows how i play. + i'm not gonna scrape a pass at grade 8 - i won't enter it if i'm only scrape passing level, i'll wait longer But my teacher thinks i can do well
*really wants to change subject now*
I have no idea which pieces yet There's a grade 8 piece i've been working on that i looove, Mozart concerto no.3 movement 3, (i think thats it?) but i'm pretty sure it's not on the syllabus anymore I love the Czardas too though The pieces i'm doing at the moment though are mostly grade 6 and 7 - the pieces im doing for my grade 6 are A3 Vivace (i think that's what it's called!), B3 Tempo di minuetto and C1 tico tico - which is really fun
And can't stop playing Schindler's list too Me and my pianist friend are thinking about playing it in our school's christmas concert =]Have you chosen your pieces yet? And what pieces did you do for your grade 6?
Also i know no-one's trying to put me off (i think
) and i do appreciate your help And i know that i sound quite crazy But so far i'm doing quite well and i'm gonna do what my teacher thinks i can - after all she knows how i play. + i'm not gonna scrape a pass at grade 8 - i won't enter it if i'm only scrape passing level, i'll wait longer But my teacher thinks i can do well*really wants to change subject now
*
Gosh, I'm glad I'm taking it slowly! Still, I don't have that much time for prac and, living in a council flat, it's not that easy to pick up my viola whenever I fancy. My teacher put a bit of her rosin on my blow last lesson too and, boy, what a difference! The sound seems 50% louder! I'm now nervous about prac all over again!!!
Wonder if I'll ever get to Grade 1 standard!!!!
Wonder if I'll ever get to Grade 1 standard!!!!
QUOTE(ffliwt @ Jul 27 2008, 10:19 PM)
This topic (me ""rushing"") comes up so much and i just swear i'm not one of those people who race to grade 8 without enjoying it! I loooove playing violin and adore every minute of it
I think most people are just staggered by your commitment and achievement - I know I am.
As for the main topic, I have a £500 1880ish Strad copy from Saxony. It is much too good for me because I am only at about grade I level, but it makes me smile every time I pick it up, and inspires me to learn. The only damage it has had is two scrapes on the varnish where someone pushed the bridge without loosening the strings some time in the past - now repaired. Even at my level I can tell the difference in sound between it and my "starter" Chinese violin is vast.
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