Nathan Weiss

While considered subservient to the violin, the bow rose to much greater importance in the confluence of Tourte, skilled violinists, and the French Revolution.Frenchman Francois Tourte is widely...

The "planetary geared" peg makes tuning easier on violins, violas, and cellos. There are several additional reasons to favor them.Geared pegs are a newer innovation when it comes to useful – some may...

Austria’s von Trapps might have a movie made about them, but the musical contributions of the Klotz luthiers are celebrated with a statue and a school.The Catholic Church, as well as with many other...

Austria’s von Trapps might have a movie made about them, but the musical contributions of the Klotz luthiers are celebrated with a statue and a school.The Catholic Church, as well as with many other...

Fine instruments are beautiful works of craftsmanship, and very vulnerable to come what may. Being careful means obtaining an insurance policy.There are horror stories about fine stringed instruments...

The option to rent an instrument makes sense in a variety of circumstances. Understanding the variables should help players decide what’s right for them.To rent or to buy a violin? This is the...

It takes several kinds of woods to make fine stringed musical instruments. But the back of the violin, made with maple, has much to do with sound resonance.Students of the violin and violinmaking are...

Patronage of artists has always been essential. But different ways that high priced instruments find young prodigies ensure those strings get bowed.The arts, music in particular, have always survived...

Misidentified for decades, the instrument of the famous 20th century cellist is still in the ownership of his widow. Tax policy is why it was misidentified.A rose by any other name is still a rose.The...

The crossover between visual and performing arts is not uncommon. But in his championing of Cubism, Picasso found his inspiration to paint in violins.Art historians know all about Picasso. They...

Violins and other instruments are like children, needing protection from unkind elements. Extreme temperatures and humidity pose the biggest threats.For every thing there is a season. Fine violins can...

Some of the finest violins, cellos, basses and other stringed instruments are now 100s of years old and of great value. Knowing their history matters.There are several factors that determine the value...

Violins, cellos, violas, basses and bows are sold at auction all the time. It works for buyers and sellers, but it’s possible to get it wrong.Buy a fine violin, cello, viola or bass at auction? It may...

Spruce is a vital raw component of violins. A product of nature, there is great variability that skilled violinmakers understand how to control.There are countless variables that affect the quality of...

For the practicing instrumentalist, tuning a violin, viola or cello is a daily task. Located in the peg box towards the end of the instrument, pegs are adjusted to tune the pitches of each individual...