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Dover Publications

Violin-Making: A Historical and Practical Guide (Dover Books On Music: Violin)

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Description

This classic guide offers an accessible initiation into the mysteries of violin-making. Charming in its style and cultivated in its research, it covers every detail of the process, from wood selection to varnish. A fascinating history of the instrument precedes discussions of materials and construction techniques. More than 200 diagrams, engravings, and photographs complement the text. Author Edward Heron-Allen served an apprenticeship with Georges Chanot, a preeminent nineteenth-century violin maker. The knowledge, skill, and experience Heron-Allen acquired in the master's shop are reflected in this book, which was the first to combine the history, theory, and practice of violin-making. Originally published in 1884 as Violin-Making, As It Was and Is: Being a Historical, Theoretical and Practical Treatise on the Science and Art of Violin-Making for the Use of Violin Makers and Players, Amateur and Professional, this volume has enlightened and informed generations of performers and players alike. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dover Publications


Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 1, 2005


Edition ‏ : ‎ Illustrated


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Print length ‏ : ‎ 416 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0486443566


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 60


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.21 x 0.8 x 8.75 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #901,259 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #676 in Violins (Books) #1,773 in Music History & Criticism (Books) #4,217 in Music Instruction & Study (Books)


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Eccentric, but fascinating history of the violin.
Format: Paperback
This is a fun old book by an amateur violin maker and enthusiast , Edward Heron- Allen. It’s quite fun and somewhat esoteric. I’d recommend it to any ethnomusicology nut, but it’s not a book for modern violin making and use. It’s a Dover reprint of the old book, first published in 1885. It’s also a bit eccentric , full of silly old poems and and untranslated reference quotes in French, Latin etc. but with the internet, it’s easy to translate these errant sentences. The history and origin section is interesting, but not wpquite right in terms of the origin of lutes and the relationship of The welsh Crwth to the lute. But for his day, his knowledge is impressive. This is more of his view of the subject than anything else, but there’s a lot of good history here, and it’s well illustrated. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2019 by Sue M.
    • In depth
Format: Paperback
For the person truly interested. Found it Very good.
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2021 by David Johnson
    • Historical book
Format: Paperback
This is not a how-to luthier manual. Rather a discussion from the 1800’s about various techniques. Very interesting for the knowledgeable luthier; not a beginners text.
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2026 by Walt Bogart
    • Classic Edition Still Holds Up Under Scrutiny Of Modern Methods
Format: Paperback
Short review here... Violin making has an aura of old-world must and dust surrounding it, doesn't it? When I became interested in luthiery, that ancient aspect really appealed to me. "Seek your information at the source" said a voice inside of my mind. I proceeded to buy every modern book on stringed instrument making I could afford; the glossy pictures and to-the-point captions mke them a good bathroom read, but shallow they are, and I get the feeling that the time honored and tested methodology was meant to remain a secret. NOT SO with this "...Practical Guide". It is written with that early 20th Century algebra manual complexity spliced into the rather personable writing style of the author. Excellent history is the name of the game, and how it applies to the "current" mode of instrument creation. Highly recommended. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2009 by Colton Williams
    • The one violin book to have.
Format: Paperback
If, like me, your earliest memories are of sitting in front of the T.V., then this book will be a little hard to get use to. Once you get use to the victorian era prose, It gets to be more fun than three days at the circus. This is not a visual book.Everything you could want is here, but you have to be able to read and follow along. There is a set of the the best plans and templates you will find. They are in the back of the book and reduced in size, but can be enlarged easily enough at Kinkos or some such shop. The templates were taken from a real Strad that he had on his bench. They are painstakingly compiled by a violin maker who apprenticed to Chanot,(remember. This was written in 1885) and there is no detail left out. You have to turn to the templates page while you read, but it is well worth it. If you buy no other book on violin making, buy this one. It is everything you need. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2007 by james bronaugh
    • One of the best books ever, uncle duke.
Format: Paperback
It can't get better than this book for me. I think the inside back contour graduation that Chanot offers is a good way to lose plate weight, imo.
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2015 by sheila cox
    • Very Interesting
Format: Paperback
I have spent many hours with this book. It is packed with a lot of history of the violin, how the making of the violin has changed through the years along with specifications and methods for designing and making a hopefully playable violin of your own.
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2017 by Dallas O. Bradley
    • Good Product
Format: Paperback
The product was as described in the description and the shipping was extremely fast. The book is very descriptive as I was hoping for. Good product.
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2014 by Waffles

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