Three Violins versus One?

[JoshT]

Pardon my analogies to the guitar world again as that is the instrument I have most expertise with.

With guitars, many players are looking for 'the ONE'. That would be the one instrument that has the 'mostest' of all the qualities they are looking for in a guitar. However, in time, most realize that there is not one guitar that offers all the tonal range they need so there is recognition that one may desire a few guitars instead, to cover a wider range of tonal palette. So, one may choose a bright maple smaller body guitar to cut through a band, a larger warmer body to do rhythm, and perhaps another with a mellow sweet voice to do delicate stuff at home. I'm generalizing but one guitar cannot do it all.

Does this apply to the violin world? Perusing this group, it seems that many are looking for 'The ONE'. Are violins different from guitars or do many here also own multiple violins with different tonal emphasis for task specific playing? For example, someone was recently looking for a $30K violin. If one was starting out, would it make more sense to pick up three $10K violins, as opposed to one $30K violin? (Not that I'm in the position to spend even close to that amount.)

Curious.

JoshT

[fubbi2]

This may not be a complete answer to your question, but it's a start.

I think most violinists are hopelessly ensnared in the mysterious lore and zeitgeist of the violin. We want to find 'the one', but 'the one' just keeps dancing ahead of us ...a little out of reach.

There is a violin out there that has just the right vibe for my particular blend of muscle, love, talent, and psychic configuration! I just know it.

Perhaps guitarist are more practical.

[Mark_W]

This is a really interesting question and I hope a few replies come your way. Here's mine: I'm a guitarist from way back, and I found that moving between instruments doesn't require much adjustment of technique. Moving between fiddles does. Two instruments, same maker, same stop length--they still feel different, for many good reasons. The violin is the most sensitive of all instruments to changes in environment and setup. It's hard enough to get used to just one, and that can take months or years.

I'm a bad enough player that I still switch around quite a bit. I'll fall in love with one for a few months, put it away and go through the cycle with another one I've just set up. I could never get away with this if I performed for others, though.

Mark_W

[shetland]

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[This message has been edited by shetland (edited 04-16-2002).]

[Ken Nielsen]

Three violins at least are just right for me, one 'period' instrument - baroque with all gut strings, one modern acoustic for performance and studies, and one electric or midi violin for the new wave and techno-pop. You might even keep a fourth to hand to guests who want to have some experience with the thing.

[MrWoof]

All violins are unique, like people. Some are more versatile than others, some are quite limited.

I currently have two instruments each has its own strengths and weaknesses.

I use each accordingly.

Personally I like have an assortment of chocolates rather than one box of the same thing.

Regards,

Don Crandall

[HuangKaiVun]

Whatever instrument I'm playing on, I just try to make the best of it.

[MacKay]

I'm still a baby learner on this instrument, so I only own one (not the one, just one). I imagine that if I pursue this and continue to enjoy it, I will buy a nicer, better sounding violin as a reward/encouragement. In that case, I do picture having two violins: the nice one, and a "beater" to take to place where I would want a fiddle but might not be comfortable with the risk of taking the nice one.

For example, there is one outdoor music festival I go to in Texas, and when I get better I think it would be neat to be able to join in the jam session. But in past years, it has rained like #$@!!, it's humid (welcome to Texas!) and the temperature has exceeded 100.

Of course, this could just be me... my first teacher remarked on a few occasions that the violin is a pretty sturdy thing, and I'm too careful with it.