Fellow Posted November 23, 2010 Report Posted November 23, 2010 Hi all, Unless one can build a better violin that you cannot buy in in a local shop, why one should you be bothered ? I assume people here who are talking building violins, as a matter of fact, have built violins that could not be available in thier locality. Otherwise, I wonder why? It is so hard to build a violin ie,( time and money, never mind reading books) A $2k violin in my local shop is pretty good to me and $800 one does not sound bad, an ulgy old violin may cost $100, not bad neither if you do not look at it. So what is the point? It must have another reason in doing it. There are many violins which are so terrible in sound but you dare not to tell the owners or builders, it would be too unkind to tell the truth. If you buy a violin then you at least not be responsible for bringing it to the world. If I made a violin and sold it. Other people later cut it up and throw away the bassbar, change the f-hole etc, I would be mad like a dog if I know it. I rather be on the sideline as a spectator.
lvlagneto Posted November 23, 2010 Report Posted November 23, 2010 Why would someone who constantly panders for encouragement post about why people bother to do something. Especially when the thing in question is that which you seem to be so irrationally interested in. Perhaps you are unwittingly discouraging people; nevertheless, you are insulting everyone involved by implying that their work is inferior. It's hard to make a painting, but there is pride and joy throughout the process of creation and completion. I could easily go to the MET and see a painting by Sergeant or Picasso, but that doesn't give me total fulfillment. I could easily go to Wal-Mart and purchase a painting of a beach scene for my living room, but that does not bring fufillment. And just because there are thousands of painters making paintings, I don't plan to stop. And just because someone is "bad" and painting, doesn't mean that they should stop. The point of making and doing repairs varies for people. For me, it brings joy -- it is fun! People always have qualms with violin pricing, that's an old thread my friend. Always 2k, right? Buy the best that you can and get over it.
Michael_Molnar Posted November 24, 2010 Report Posted November 24, 2010 Sounds like Fellow is getting ready to hang up his shop apron. Adios.
MANFIO Posted November 24, 2010 Report Posted November 24, 2010 We make instruments because musicians need them. The day I go to the Wall Mart and get a Chinese viola for 100 dollars that sounds like mine I will stop making them, that's simple.
Guest EdwardPA Posted November 24, 2010 Report Posted November 24, 2010 I don't understand how someone who has more than 4000 posts on a forum can not have the slightest hint as to why the members of the forum are building violins. I won't attempt to explain why I would want to build a violin. regards Ed
Fellow Posted November 24, 2010 Author Report Posted November 24, 2010 I don't understand how someone who has more than 4000 posts on a forum can not have the slightest hint as to why the members of the forum are building violins. I won't attempt to explain why I would want to build a violin. regards Ed +++++++++++++++++++ I think the reason in making violins is a personal one. Not many want to admit that a violin is just a violin, mot your violin or my violin. It is greatly associated with personal affections to it. We would easily get into arguments and would inflict emotions. I understand there is not such thing as beauty standard, or tone quality standard. If there is, it would be an easy job to say " hey, yours does not meet the standard, It is supposed to be "3 ponnds and 2 ounces"
David Burgess Posted November 24, 2010 Report Posted November 24, 2010 Uh oh, Fellow, you might have put your foot in a bad place with this thread. Why did you teach math? Was it because there was a shortage of math teachers? Did you believe that what you taught would never have elements which were cut up and thrown away (like a bass bars)? If you're in Ann Arbor sometime, bring the most expensive fiddle you've got, and I'll try to set up a scenario where you can appreciate what a more expensive fiddle has to offer. If you don't want to do this, and would rather be satisfied with what you already have, that's fine too. The VSA Convention would have been only about 6 hours drive for you. If you don't drive, that's only about 36 hours by Greyhound. It would have been a chance to evaluate many instruments which met the needs of professional players, and more which didn't. How motivated are you to find answers to your questions?
Johnmasters Posted November 24, 2010 Report Posted November 24, 2010 Hi all, Unless one can build a better violin that you cannot buy in in a local shop, why one should you be bothered ? I assume people here who are talking building violins, as a matter of fact, have built violins that could not be available in thier locality. Otherwise, I wonder why? It is so hard to build a violin ie,( time and money, never mind reading books) A $2k violin in my local shop is pretty good to me and $800 one does not sound bad, an ulgy old violin may cost $100, not bad neither if you do not look at it. So what is the point? It must have another reason in doing it. There are many violins which are so terrible in sound but you dare not to tell the owners or builders, it would be too unkind to tell the truth. If you buy a violin then you at least not be responsible for bringing it to the world. If I made a violin and sold it. Other people later cut it up and throw away the bassbar, change the f-hole etc, I would be mad like a dog if I know it. I rather be on the sideline as a spectator. One thing not mentioned so far: "Hope springs eternal ......."
Don Noon Posted November 24, 2010 Report Posted November 24, 2010 One thing not mentioned so far: "Hope springs eternal ......." and curiosity, and enjoyment of handcraft work. There are plenty of "reasons" why people do what they do, and they don't need to create anything of lasting value or be the best at it. Why play an instrument, if you can just buy a record of someone that plays even better? Why carve ice statues or make sand castles? 'cuz it's fun. ... and for us retired geezers, it gives us something to do to fend off vegetation.
Selim Posted November 24, 2010 Report Posted November 24, 2010 +++++++++++++++++++ I think the reason in making violins is a personal one. Not many want to admit that a violin is just a violin, mot your violin or my violin. It is greatly associated with personal affections to it. We would easily get into arguments and would inflict emotions. I understand there is not such thing as beauty standard, or tone quality standard. If there is, it would be an easy job to say " hey, yours does not meet the standard, It is supposed to be "3 ponnds and 2 ounces" No doubt you are an interesting person Fellow. Simple but good question indeed. Personally, it is sound, and I think good sound is a big source of inspiration, energy, and creativity. The more you learn and understand the more you want. I think there is a solid definition of the good sound, I dont think that variations are much at that level of sound. The problem is how much you know about it. If I am color blind for yellow, it is not an easy job to evaluate the yellow tones in a V.G. painting.
David Burgess Posted November 24, 2010 Report Posted November 24, 2010 Yeah Don, and how many people these days get a chance professionally to do an entire project from start to finish? Shoot, look at the popularity of motorcycle building, fishing, survival, and home remodeling shows. People have been trapped in a cubicle somewhere with a phone and a computer, and have a hankering to get back to basics. To put some three-dimensional tools in their hands. Fellow, you've felt it too. Admit it. You dedicated a career to the theoretical and analytical world, but now you're more interested in figuring out how to glue a friggin crack!
Fellow Posted November 24, 2010 Author Report Posted November 24, 2010 Yeah Don, and how many people these days get a chance professionally to do an entire project from start to finish? Shoot, look at the popularity of motorcycle building, fishing, survival, and home remodeling shows. People have been trapped in a cubicle somewhere with a phone and a computer, and have a hankering to get back to basics. To put some three-dimensional tools in their hands. Fellow, you've felt it too. Admit it. You dedicated a career to the theoretical and analytical world, but now you're more interested in figuring out how to glue a friggin crack! ++++++++++++++++ Luthoers who are building good violins, like you guys, should not be afraid. They are all my friends. My point is that keep an open eyes and open ears to good violins. Build some thing like " Ex-Kreutzer" you know what I mean? It is from heaven.
Fellow Posted November 24, 2010 Author Report Posted November 24, 2010 No doubt you are an interesting person Fellow. Simple but good question indeed. Personally, it is sound, and I think good sound is a big source of inspiration, energy, and creativity. The more you learn and understand the more you want. I think there is a solid definition of the good sound, I dont think that variations are much at that level of sound. The problem is how much you know about it. If I am color blind for yellow, it is not an easy job to evaluate the yellow tones in a V.G. painting. ++++++++++ Hi Selim, Exactly. Sound is everything.
Will L Posted November 24, 2010 Report Posted November 24, 2010 I don't understand the question. Sincerely, Will
Homey Posted November 24, 2010 Report Posted November 24, 2010 Hi all, Unless one can build a better violin that you cannot buy in in a local shop, why one should you be bothered ? I assume people here who are talking building violins, as a matter of fact, have built violins that could not be available in thier locality. Otherwise, I wonder why? It is so hard to build a violin ie,( time and money, never mind reading books) A $2k violin in my local shop is pretty good to me and $800 one does not sound bad, an ulgy old violin may cost $100, not bad neither if you do not look at it. So what is the point? It must have another reason in doing it. There are many violins which are so terrible in sound but you dare not to tell the owners or builders, it would be too unkind to tell the truth. If you buy a violin then you at least not be responsible for bringing it to the world. If I made a violin and sold it. Other people later cut it up and throw away the bassbar, change the f-hole etc, I would be mad like a dog if I know it. I rather be on the sideline as a spectator. Me thinks you are trying to stir up comments as to why the disease of violin making is incurable . You must know that it is the most fulfilling and joyous affliction of all . so Spectating sucks, so get on with your violin making.
Fellow Posted November 24, 2010 Author Report Posted November 24, 2010 I don't understand the question. Sincerely, Will ++++++++++++ There are thousand of reasons to build a violin and thousand of of reasons not to. Pro and cons.
joerobson Posted November 24, 2010 Report Posted November 24, 2010 I have a long time colleague who finished a cello recently. He has a long career as a maker and teacher. In his 70's he did this cello that really pleased him. While talking to him about it he said," Well that's my last cello!". Thinking there was something seriously wrong with him I asked what was up. He said,"That was my best cello wood." Relieved, I asked about violin and viola. "Well, he said, " I have 67 GOOD violin sets left and twice that many violas, so I guess I should get busy." on we go, Joe
James M. Jones Posted November 24, 2010 Report Posted November 24, 2010 not to get two phil i sof i cle????hopefull never. kinda a soft thread/I've wanted to start a post as to why we do what we do.Is a passion for history? a love of craft and art /the music? a way to pull down fat cash and prestiege?a need to conect with god ? for my part I come from a long line of crafts men/ tool die pattern making and I am enthraled that I can continue this tradition/ the violin represents to me the pinicle of all these things. do I want to be making world class instrauments? yes do I care that I will probably never be compleatly satisfied with my work ? no. the honest artist craftsman (or sheep) will always see their fault yet always move forward . as long as people desire to create.
Bill Yacey Posted November 24, 2010 Report Posted November 24, 2010 It's the fault of the musicians. Why do people continually want to learn to make music, when a great performance on compact disc recording is easily obtained for a paltry sum of money? Do they think they are going to play some notes that have never been played before? Sometimes a question is best answered with a question. If people would just stop playing music, there wouldn't be any more need for instruments, and the whole industry would dry up and disappear.
James M. Jones Posted November 24, 2010 Report Posted November 24, 2010 like where does creativity come from?
Bill Yacey Posted November 24, 2010 Report Posted November 24, 2010 like where does creativity come from? Strong, home distilled, ethyl alcohol.
Fellow Posted November 24, 2010 Author Report Posted November 24, 2010 like where does creativity come from? ++++++++++++++++ I questioned the need of doing such a thing like building a violin. Is the enjoyment of making out weighs the hardship ? It takes so long to make just one. Some luthiers make half dozen at a time. I think it is better, but It is still a low rate of productivity.
dvsutton Posted November 24, 2010 Report Posted November 24, 2010 ...the wood! the tools! the learning! and when you are done, the music! It just doesn't get any better...
Don Noon Posted November 24, 2010 Report Posted November 24, 2010 I questioned the need of doing such a thing like building a violin. Is the enjoyment of making out weighs the hardship ? It takes so long to make just one. This is a factory manager's outlook. Not everyone views the craft that way. I think climbing Mt. Everest is a huge hardship, takes a long time, costs mega$, and there's a good chance of dying. Yet people do it. So? That is not a "need", but a "want". There's very little chance of being killed by making violins. If you can get enough food and shelter, everything else is elective. Why not build violins?
COB3 Posted November 24, 2010 Report Posted November 24, 2010 There's very little chance of being killed by making violins. If you can get enough food and shelter, everything else is elective. Why not build violins? "...the wood! the tools! the learning! and when you are done, the music! It just doesn't get any better..." There you go! I am addicted to the look and feel of the wood, and the curves, and the symmetry, and the making process, and the joy of hearing a good player put my work through its paces. Once I thought I wanted to build (and fly) ultralight aircraft. (I was already building violins). One of my sons quietly said "You know, Dad, if you build a violin and screw it up, it won't kill you..." Point taken. When I was less than eight years old I wanted to build a violin, but never had the opportunity until I was 45. Now I have built six violins, five violas and one bass. And I am improving. And the satisfaction grows deeper. And I have eight more on the bench in various stages of completion. I could apply the "let a pro do it" argument to anything in life. Where would you be if cooking, clothes-shopping, child-rearing, home-making, lovemaking and everything were all relegated to the professional-only category? Where would life occur? Where would creativity, love, joy and personal satisfaction for a job-well-done come in? On what would you build self-worth? Self-esteem? Why would I NOT make violins? I don't watch TV...or attend football games...or many other things that eat up time. Why should I not do what brings me (and others, I hope) joy?
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