A violin starts its life as a wedge of wood - usually spruce or maple - which is then sawn in two. These two halves are then glued together in what is known as 'butterflying'. This process is used for the back and top piece of the violin.

In its essence, the violin is a sounding box for strings put in vibration by a bow. What makes the violin so singularly expressive is the variety of touch and tonal inflection possible with the bow, put in motion by the right arm. The bow is truly the “soul” of the violin, its primary means of expression.

IT TAKES ABOUT 250 hours to build a violin. The process begins with some choice cuts of maple and spruce, and — if all goes according to plan — ends with a beautiful piece of handicraft that is also a functional musical instrument.

Quality of tone: In addition to hearing more resonance, a better violin will produce more "overtones," which are secondary tones produced by any given note. The presence of these contribute to a sense of fullness, richness and character in each note.