The Essential Handbook for Violinists, Violists and Fiddle Players

Violin maker and restorer Rebecca Houghton wrote this book as a gift to players, teachers and parents who need essential advice on caring for their instrument. Packed with facts and information, it de-mystifies everything from changing strings and choosing a chin rest to dealing with slipping pegs and one-off emergency scenarios. She is a professional luthier, an amateur viola player and the stringed instrument expert on the BBC’s The Repair Shop.Houghton’s book couples close-up photography with a practical guide that helps to improve life as a musician.Containing information on correct string heights, neck lengths of fractional-size instruments, the Alexander technique and shoulder rests, this book is perfect gift for string players everywhere.Chapters:IntroductionBasic parts of a violin inside and outThe set upi. Fingerboardii. Top nutiii. Pegs and common problemsiv. Tuningv. Changing a stringvi. Tailpiece and tailgutvii. Saddleviii. Endpinix. Soundpostx. BridgeFractional instruments for children – sizing the correct oneViola sizingThe process of choosing a new instrumentChinrest and shoulder restStringsBows and rosinTips for improving the soundBuzzesCleaningOther useful informationi. Insuranceii. Cases and accessoriesiii. What should I keep in my case?iv. Pickups and electric instrumentsv. Other accessories“This book is written in a readable style and contains a wealth of good advice, interesting facts and useful information. It provides answers to things that as a teacher and player myself I probably ought to have known but didn’t: why are some rosins dark and some amber in colour? Why should you wrap your violin in a silk scarf? Why are most violin and viola bows haired with white rather than black hair? I found it to be a fascinating read and would recommend it to all who teach and play the violin or the viola, as well as to parents of young players.”Celia Cobb, The Strad, September 2018 Read more