Acer pseudoplatanus, also know as Sycamore maple, great maple, Scottish maple. Image source:
Jean-Pol Grandmont |
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It is a wonder how an assemblage of wood pieces carved into various complex curves, strung with four strings, and tuned to perfect fifths can emit such beautiful sounds.
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Delving into the art of violin making is a lifetime endeavor. Here we only point to the two trees that make up most violins: the Acer pseudoplatanus, known as the Sycamore maple, and the Picea abies, known as the Norway Spruce. The sonorous sounds of the violin begins first with carefully selecting seasoned woods of spruce, for the top plate, and maple, for the back and sides.
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The sycamore maple is a long lived tree, some having been known for more than five centuries. It can grow to 116 ft tall, and its quality has been known for hundreds of years, being used for ojbects requiring resistance and strength, like pulleys, screws, and axles.
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The Norway spruce is a wild plant in central and northern Europe. When immature, it is also known as the Christmas tree! For ideal sound propogation, only trees growing in their ideal range and without too much wind or light from one side will do.
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| The next time you see a maple or spruce, perhaps the sound of your instrument will come to mind...
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Picea abies, also known as Norway spruce of Common spruce. Image source:
www. biologie.de |
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