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Stradivarius Violin Research Paper

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The construction of the Stradivarius violin is very unique compared to the build of other violins, whether they were made centuries ago or serve as modern day instruments. While there are a number of other rare violins and instruments of different kinds, not even one has ever came remarkably close to achieving what Antonio Stradivari has with the making of his stringed instruments, in particular, his violins. Over the years there have been many attempts to reproduce the authentic sound quality of his instruments, but no one has ever been able to achieve this goal. What exactly makes the Stradivarius violin so unique? The materials used to make the instrument along with his method of construction and the time period in which it was constructed …show more content…

Stradivari was actually well in touch with the results of other impressive instruments that had been constructed before his. He was able to gain experience by comparing the many instruments built by the early Brescian and Cremonese makers by deducing from them the aspects that made them unfavorable and applying these aspects to his own creative works. Every generation has contributed something to the construction of musical instruments, and Stradivari combined these centuries of contributions to create something astounding that opened up a new chapter in history. While it is a known fact that Stradivari got a lot of inspiration from previous violinmakers (Visconti, who is a well-known violinist, is said to have given advice to this “master” of violin construction), people insist that he was a natural born genius, so much so that he has been claimed to be a “superhuman”. Based on scientific principles, many different works have been written based on the unsurpassed tonal qualities found in his instruments. However, there has also been a daily study of Stradivari’s works that were compared to those of the craftsmen who came before him. When put to the test it was found that the density of the bellies and backs of Stradivari’s instruments were made based on the principles of Gasparo, in addition to the result of a gradual progression, which Maggini and Amatis had in common with him. Those who have examined his work have noted that Stradivari adjusted the thickness of his instruments, but there is no indication that he used any principles as a guide other than what has been derived from the practices of his forerunners. Stradivari left the backs and bellies of his instruments a little thinner (or stouter), with their backs displaying a larger variation than their

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