The String Instrument Owner's Handbook

by Michael J. Pagliaro

Overview

In The String Instrument Owner’s Guide, Michael Pagliaro surveys the complete “ownership life cycle” of bowed string instruments. A touchstone work for uninitiated and advanced players, The String Instrument Owner’s Guide provides a roadmap for every step of the owning process, from selecting and buying (or renting ) to maintaining, repairing, modifying, upgrading and even re-selling your instrument.

The String Instrument Owner’s Guide answers, chapter by chapter, such key questions as: Where did string instruments come from? How do they work? What are the different kinds of string instruments? How they are made? How should you choose one? How do you care for string instruments? What accessories are needed and what do you need to know about them? How do string instruments compare to one another? How does one learn to play? And so much more.

This work should sit in the library of not only every professional musician but also of students, teachers, technicians, and parents.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810888975
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	07/02/2015
Pages:	250
Product dimensions:	7.19(w) x 10.30(h) x 0.85(d)

About the Author

Michael Pagliaro has served as professor of instrumental music and musical instrument technology, is founder and CEO emeritus-in-counsel of Ardsley Musical Instrument Service, Ltd., and director of research and development for Contemporary Music Laboratories. He is an authority in musical instrument technology and the inventor of several musical instrument products. He is author of Everything You Should Know about Musical Instruments (1992), The Violin: How It Works (2002), The Flute: How It Works (2003), The Violin Workbook (2004), The Musical Instrument Desk Reference (Scarecrow Press, 2012), Basic Elements of Music: A Primer for Musicians, Music Teachers, and Students (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016), and The Brass Instrument Owner's Handbook (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016).

Table of Contents

Preface Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: Where These Instruments Came From Chapter 2: How These Instruments Work Chapter 3: Different Kinds of Violins, Violas, Cellos, and Double Basses Chapter 4: Who Makes Them and How They Are Made Chapter 5: How to Choose and Buy a String Instrument Chapter 6: How to Rent an Instrument Chapter 7: How to Take Care of Your Instrument Chapter 8: Accessories Chapter 9: How String Instruments Compare to Each Other Chapter 10: Learning to Play Chapter 11: The Science of Sound Appendix: Instrument Diary Glossary of Terms

Editorial Reviews

This volume offers a great deal of information for new and seasoned string-instrument owners. There is a very brief history of string instruments, discussing their predecessors and development. Half the book focuses on descriptive aspects of string instruments: how they work, different kinds of string instruments (based on time period or body style), and information on the makers. The second half is instructional for current or potential string-instrument players: how to buy or rent the instruments; their basic care; the science of their sound; accessories one might need; and a 'diary' for players to keep track of repairs, maintenance, and so forth. The information is useful and well researched.

Booklist

This volume offers a great deal of information for new and seasoned string-instrument owners. There is a very brief history of string instruments, discussing their predecessors and development. Half the book focuses on descriptive aspects of string instruments: how they work, different kinds of string instruments (based on time period or body style), and information on the makers. The second half is instructional for current or potential string-instrument players: how to buy or rent the instruments; their basic care; the science of their sound; accessories one might need; and a 'diary' for players to keep track of repairs, maintenance, and so forth. The information is useful and well researched.

Booklist

Michael Pagliaro has valiantly attempted to encapsulate the whole history of the stringed-instrument family into a 200-page volume.

Stringendo