CONTENTS
Introduction
KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT AND BOW
What Is a Violin? 3
Face Value: Who Built This Violin? 6
What Is a Bow? 13
The Evolution of the Bow 18
What Do the Bass Bar and Soundpost Do? 23
CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOLS
Considering Your First Good Instrument 29
Finding an Affordable Antique Instrument 35
Choosing a Contemporary Instrument 46
Selecting a Bow 52
Choosing a Case
When It's Time to Sell Your Instrument 61
SOUND YOUR BEST
Setting Your Violin Up Right 72
The Proper Neck Angle 77
Choosing Strings 83
Amplifying Your Acoustic Violin 91
PRESERVE AND PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT
Cleaning and Caring for Your Violin's Finish 99
Humidity and Your Violin 104
Caring for Your Bridge, Pegs, and Fingerboard 108
Protecting Your Instrument from Theft 112
Maintaining Your Bow's Condition and Value 117
How to Pack a Bow 121
UNDERSTAND COMMON REPAIRS
Repairing Cracks 124
Aging and Its Effects on Your Violin 130
Locating Buzzes 132
Adjusting the Soundpost 134
REFERENCE
A Complete Violin Glossary 139
Resources 152
Contributors 153
Index 155
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