A Physicist's Approach to Violin Making

An overview of the violin making is given with special emphasis on acoustics. The origins from the Cremonese School are traced. The selection of woods and their importance to the sound is discussed. Modern techniques are present as substitutes for some of the traditional techniques. Demonstration instruments are shown and played.

Background of Speaker

Raised in the Greater Boston area. Father was a part time furniture maker specializing in copies of French Provincials. This resulted in early training in wood working. Began playing the piano at age 6 and the violin at age 8. Received undergraduate degree from CalTech ('70) in Physics and a Ph.D. from Stanford (SLAC) in 1975. Specialized in experimental elementary particle physics. Post Doc at CERN (1977), Asst. Prof. at SLAC('80 - '83) and joined the SLAC Perm. Staff in '83. Authored chapters in two books in Particle Physics and has co-authored over 130 articles in this field. Became interested in violin making in 1976 and began making instruments in 1983. Mostly self taught, but with considerable advise and consultations with several traditional makers. For the past two years has been studying under Tom Croen of Richmond, CA. Has made more than 3 dozen violins and violas to date which are in the hands of local Bay Area musicians.