“Music is created by “notes” and notes are the inward words that come from deep within the heart. I transform those words into melodies and liberate them as a story from my heart through my fingers, my voice to you.” – T. Tai
Another incident that Airline refused instrument travel onboard and claim it’s not safe to store instrument in the overhead bin or underneath the seat. 🙁
I must agreed it’s not about the airline company policy nor the value of instrument because “unsafe” and “not well educated the rule of safety when it comes instrument” can result in damage a instrument regardless the value of instrument. As I’m mother of two grade schooler kids.. the “roller” luggage or backpack is extreme dangerous than a violin case store in overhead bin or underneath the seat. IT roll out and injure anyone badly when it is on slightly incline elevation and not to mention during emergency situation in the flight….
Across board on a well education on “safety” on how to store instrument and the “roller” luggage to captain and the flight attendants, and be sure everyone understands and abite on it are the key issue in the incident like this. Because of their lacking of understand can cause a musician to a job that which a committment to thousand of audience whose put a side of time to come and enjoy the performance
It’s always hurtful when I read incident on news every time and it’s become more problematic for the last 2-3 years, I don’t recall it was such hassles to travel with my violin during my college time.
For those music lovers: Two great articles/video that I would highly recommend for you to enjoy
“Violin made from 16,000 matchsticks is performed in concert”
http://www.thestrad.com/cpt-latests/violin-made-16000-matchsticks-performed-concert/
Published on December 2014. The Strad
First of all, the matchstick violin looks so pretty, and it sounds so astonishing. This one and only one made by 16000 burnt matchsticks has traveled from its homeland Poland to Paris since it was made in 1937 and has never been played until it finally returned home. It has such historical and sentimental value that the maker Jan Gwiżdż‘s grandson Hubert Gwiżdż, a violinist, will debut this beautiful violin to the world.
“Despite its growing reputation, we must still do more to promote the viola”
http://www.thestrad.com/cpt-latests/despite-growing-reputation-must-still-promote-viola/
Published on November 2014. The Strad
I couldn’t agree more. The viola is often overlooked or treated as a “supporting” instrument and which often times discourages musicians from choosing to become a Violist. To my knowledge and experience as a violinist, I truly believe the difficulties of learning Viola would be the same as learning the violin so why does viola need to be treated as a second class citizen. I must admit that the size of the viola makes it feel odd when placed under the chin but that should not be a reason to neglect this beautiful instrument. As everyone is saying with computers and the internet, mobile has changed our life, and we should also change our perspective view of the viola in the music world as well, promoting the viola and exposing this instrument and music to young children so that it is an equivalent choice to the violin and cello.
Element & Weise, 2001
Copy of Antonio Strad Handmade in German, 1890. Maker unknown.
Here, I’m sharing my experience on what I did with my violins as well my two cents on what to focus on when transforming a violin’s sound into either a rich deep like cello, a Phantom’s tenor voice or an angel’s voice like a soprano. The important elements for me are the bow and strings in the process of transforming both my old and young violin sound into a beautifully rich and deep yet bright sound just like a lyric soprano or tenor. Bows and strings are like a married couple that need to be able to accompany each other. And a bow will need to match the violin to obtain harmony; thus, compatibility is essential. However, what comes as the first step of sound change, bow or stings, is a personal preference. Most people will make sure the bow and violin harmonize with each other before changing anything else on the violin. Also, I hunted for my bow before I began my string search journey. The matched bow with a violin gave me the potential sound that I set out looking for.
Sound – It’s subjective because everyone has different hearing and different expectations for sound quality: deep, rich, vibrant, bright, loud, soft, etc. In addition, there are environmental differences as well solo vs. orchestral, small concert hall vs. outdoor big concert hall such as Hollywood bowl. Thus, it’s important to decide what sound you are seeking and the planned use of the instrument. As a soloist myself (not performing regularly, and no orchestral), I tend to like a mellow, soft and more dark and rich sound for A, D, and G strings but seek a mellow, soft and clean sound, not bright or crispy, for the E string.
Bow – Different shapes project a different sound. In general an octagon shape is able to give a bold, assertive 
sound as opposed to a round shape which gives a softer, mellower sound. I started on a student grade octagon bow and moved to a better quality handmade octagon bow. It took me a year to find my current bow which has a round shape and is old, handmade and has a well balanced weight from tip to frog. Continue reading