Theresa Posted November 19, 2002 Report Share Posted November 19, 2002 --My daughter's sound post in her viola broke. She has three days till she leaves for Thanksgiving break. I've told her I don't think she should play her viola, though her viola teacher said to just play it in orchestra. I don't think she should play it at all. It's a very good viola, and I would think playing without the sound post would put too much pressure on it. Please advise quickly if possible. Many thanks, Theresa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Tucker Posted November 19, 2002 Report Share Posted November 19, 2002 It's not worth taking the chance, take the pressure off the bridge by loosening the strings immediately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renaissanceman Posted November 19, 2002 Report Share Posted November 19, 2002 Ditto. You could really damage the soundplate without the post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DelDuca Posted November 19, 2002 Report Share Posted November 19, 2002 Is the post really broken, or just fallen? Del Duca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theresa Posted November 19, 2002 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2002 My daughter tells me the sound post is broken. I don't know since she's currently in NY and I'm here in VA. I will paste what's been written here and email it to her. I wish someone could enumerate the problems that could result in playing a stringed instrument without a sound post so that she could take what's been written to her viola teacher. A long time ago, I read something on the subject--probably here on Maestronet--but I cannot remember the details. Anyway, thanks for the responses. Best regards, Theresa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flamenco Posted November 19, 2002 Report Share Posted November 19, 2002 The top could warp. The top could crack. That's about it. The viola will also sound bad. I can't imagine anyone the least knowledgeable recommending playing without a soundpost. Like driving without one wheel. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nashville violins Posted November 19, 2002 Report Share Posted November 19, 2002 Tonight on Fox... Out of control viola players! An amazingly reckless teen, with NO soundpost! An incredible string quartet...with NO violins! What will happen when an infestation of bow bugs come in contact with a pair of greasy viola bows... you have to watch! And a grand finale that will absolutely blow you away! Tonight only, at 9, on FOX! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark_W Posted November 19, 2002 Report Share Posted November 19, 2002 To me it sounds like they just need headcount and have an utter contempt for the instrument and the music. Even if a cheap, heavy viola could stand the pressure from the bridge, the instrument would not merely sound bad; it would sound like nothing at all. With a good viola she should just ease off on the strings and 'air bow.' I'm sorry, I've never heard such ridiculous advice from a teacher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobH Posted November 19, 2002 Report Share Posted November 19, 2002 Hard to see how a post could be 'broken' and the instrument still be playable. I'd vote for fallen. BobH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pvnasby Posted November 19, 2002 Report Share Posted November 19, 2002 I have seen soundpost standing but with a crack separation in them,like the House of Usher with a great fissure running through it and about to fall! Surprising the one I looked at still had great sound. This might be the source of the many experiments with muliple sound posts that I am aways reading about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Tucker Posted November 19, 2002 Report Share Posted November 19, 2002 That's caused by the soundpost setter being pushed in too far and cracking the post lengthwise. It's a fairly common problem, and usually results in a replacemet soundpost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernst Posted November 19, 2002 Report Share Posted November 19, 2002 In reply to: That's caused by the soundpost setter being pushed in too far and cracking the post lengthwise. An occurence I'm intimately familair with, although when I did it I had the courtesy to split the darned thing before I put it in the fiddle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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