Baroque violin

A baroque violin is, in common usage, any violin whose neck, fingerboard, bridge, and tailpiece are of the type used during the baroque period. Such an instrument may be an original built during the baroque and never changed to modern form; or a modern replica built as a baroque violin; or an older instrument which has been converted (or re-converted) to baroque form. "Baroque cellos" and "baroque violas" also exist, with similar modifications made to their form.

Following period practices, most baroque violinists use gut strings. This lends a certain purity and even at times earthiness to the sound. Baroque violinists commonly play their instruments without a chin rest or shoulder rest, as they had not yet been invented in the baroque period. The relaxed and natural baroque violin posture is quite different as compared with the more poised modern violin position. The baroque violin is usually positioned more in front of the player than the modern violin, with the strings often running perpendicular to the player's collarbone. This causes the player's bow arm to be positioned differently as well, facilitating articulations which would be difficult and less natural in a modern violin posture. Some players do not touch their chin to the instrument at all. However, when used, the player's chin is usually placed on the treble side of the tailpiece.

Other typical differences from the modern violin include: a smaller or longer (such as some french instruments like Médard) bass bar, a differently shaped bridge for most instruments (The modern bridge model is based on Guarnerius del Gesu model, so it could be used as a "baroque" bridge...) with all kind of thickness, a shorter fingerboard, a fuller neck, and the absence of fine tuners. The biggest difference between the modern and baroque violins is the tension of the strings and the pressure on the bridge. Most old Masterviolins have had new necks fitted - transplanting the original headstocks - that were slanted backwards so the strings would make a more acute angle on the bridge [this is not completely true: it depends on the maker. Some have a neck more inclined than others but usually the neck is shorter (not for some Nicolo Amati and German violin with a short distance between the upper edge and the bridge) so the angle is normally of 157,5°, like on modern instruments]. Some renaissance violins have their necks in line with the underside of the plate but most of baroque violin have the contact point between the string and the upper saddle in the same level as the underside of the plate which means that the neck isn't in the line with the underside of the plate (cf. Amati piccolo violin of the Shrine to music Museum. The necessary upward angle is achieved by a wedge-shaped fingerboard. Modern violin has a standard length but Baroque violin can be very small or very long: it depends on the maker. Baroque bows are also quite different in construction and how they are handled. The modern violin bow curves downward in the middle while the baroque bow will look straight or bent outwards under tension. The baroque bow is thinner near the tip which comes to an exaggerated point. The common myth that the so-called Bach-bow had a huge exaggerated arch shape so as to play all four strings, in the manner of a lyra or lira di braccio, at once remains under debate. [1]

Baroque violins have surged in popularity since the 1980s as part of the growing interest in authentic performance. Their renewed use reflects an attempt to rediscover the original style of violin playing in the baroque period. Many luthiers today are able to offer copies of baroque instruments as well as modern instruments. As is always the case with period instruments, merely having authentic equipment does not necessarily guarantee a persuasive performance. Typically, period instrument players receive extensive university training in the style and often use original treatises and facsimile editions as a necessary resource. With an increased openness to period performance practice, many modern violinists prefer to concertize baroque music on the modern violin in a period style. This practice is referred to as HIP, or Historically informed performance.

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