Monday, October 7, 2013

Elements That Affect The Sound Of A Handmade Cello

By Angel Dudley


Some people are attracted to the beauty of an instrument based on the way it is made. While this can draw someone to the instrument at first, it is the sound that to consider getting it for themselves. If one understands the conditions that affect the sound of a handmade cello, they will be able to get one that is of the highest quality.

One of the elements that affects the sound of a cello is its age. Older instruments tend to have harder wood which makes the sound vibrate more effectively. The varnish used on the wood is also hardened over time, but this depends on the kind of varnish that is used. If it is a soft varnish, it might not have the same effect as one that is meant to harden over time.

A piece of wood is usually treated before it is used in order to make it last longer. It can also be done to create a certain effect and this is also true of musical instruments. One also has to think about where the wood comes from, since certain trees tend to produce certain qualities of wood that are more dense than others.

One also has to look at the condition of the cello when it comes to sound. If an instrument is in excellent condition, it can have a great sound. On the other hand, age can cause a cello to have cracks and other weaknesses. This is something to think about since age means lots of repairs over the years, which can affect the sound of the instrument.

These cracks are also affected by the weather and its many changes. The humidity or lack of it, causes these cracks to open and close which can mean constant changes in the sound. Even though repairs are made, one has to think about how often they are done. Too many can cause the quality of sound to decrease since a person will have to constantly try to close the cracks.

One should also look at the type of strings that are used to play the instrument. There are three main types of strings that are used and each gives a different kind of sound. They are known as the metal core, synthetic core, and the gut core. Each has its positives and negatives and there are some musicians who would only use certain types.

An example of this is the gut core strings which are made from sheep or goat guts. These type of strings are used by those who play Baroque music, even though they quite expensive and unstable in pitch. On the other hand, steel core strings are for more stable and less expensive. They are also more widely used by amateurs and professionals.

Handmade cello tend to have a better sound than one that has been produced by a machine. When a person is looking for the best cello for their budget, it is a good idea to go to a person that deals only with stringed instruments. This is the only way to ensure that one is getting the best quality they can afford.




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