The baroque violin

It is an evolution of the classical violin that we know today and arose from the need to increase power to adapt to larger spaces. The technique and way of playing contributed to changing one of the main characteristics of the baroque violin: the gut strings.

What are the differences between a baroque violin and a modern one?

In the baroque violin the handle is shorter and wider than in the modern ones, so that the vibration of the strings has a smaller amplitude. In addition, the neck of the baroque violin is attached to the violin by nails that were previously set on fire to penetrate the wood without cracking it.

If we focus on the fingerboard area, it is thinner and slightly thinner than that of a classical violin. In its beginnings it was made with boxwood, until from the 18th century it began to be made of ebony.

On the other hand, baroque violins have gut strings, which were made many centuries ago with sheep gut, covering the thickest ones with silver filaments to increase their thickness. This type of strings gives a very warm and particular natural sound, although they are unstable when faced with changes in temperature and humidity, so they go out of tune more easily than current violins.

As for the bridge, its height was lower than that of the current model, which generated less string tension. This explains the usual presence of chords and other similar resources in baroque music. This also means that it was easier to play than on current violins.

If we delve into the interior of the covers, we would observe that the baroque harmonic bar is shorter and thinner in the baroque violin, in the same way the soul is also thinner. Finally, in the past it was tuned to 415Hz, while today it is tuned to 442Hz, half a step higher.

Different bows, different music

Also the current arches have differences with the baroque arches. Initially, these curved outwards, just like the bows used in archery, and it was not until the 19th century that their elaboration was perfected thanks to the work of François Xavier Tourte, who through the use of Pernambuco wood gave them their characteristic shape. that has survived to this day.

Although this wood came to France from Brazil to make textile dye, it was soon discovered that it had the perfect combination of strength, resistance, weight and beauty to make bows. This is how they are currently built.

All these technical differences make us intuit what we already imagine: the way of playing the baroque violin is also different. Until 1740, the violin was played supported on the chest or hip. The truth is that it is a somewhat uncomfortable position if we compare it with the current one, but it must be taken into account that Baroque music, which stood out for its virtuosity, required it.

It was precisely in 1740 when Geminiani implanted the placement on the clavicle that has survived to this day. This is a crucial moment for Baroque instrumental music, since for the first time in the history of music it is equal in importance with the vowel with the violin as the protagonist.

Undoubtedly, the differences between a baroque violin and a modern violin are many. At Luthier Vidal you can find a wide catalog of both types of violin. Visit us to discover our musical instruments!