| vielles
(medieval fiddles) |
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In
making musical instruments from a period where virtually no complete
examples survive, the maker is left to make his instruments from
iconography of the period in the form of illuminations from manuscripts,
carvings in churches and art. These images usually only show the front
of instruments, and can often be out of proportion and unclear in
detail, leaving the maker many unanswered questions of size,
construction, materials etc. Another source of inspiration, is writings
from the period, not only about musical instruments and musicians, but
also sermons and writings on related subjects such as religion,
carpentry, science and art.
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on instruments for more pictures and details |
Then he commanded a fine fiddle
with silk strings to be prepared for him as if it were for a prince to
use; the body decorated,the neck inlaid with gold, precious stones and
noble ivory. Below the neck there hung a band of soft silk; the fiddle
was all adorned with golden braid of silk. Thus the gige was made. The
pegs were golden, and the fiddle-bag seemed to be of fine silk
embroidered with beautiful pictures.
Anon early 14c
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There
are differing theories as to what, if anything there is on the inside of
vielles in terms of structual support. They clearly must be different to
violins with their bass-bar and soundpost - a method that probably
wasn't fully employed until the 16th century. There can be no hard and
fast rules that apply to all types of vielle, we are after all dealing
with a period of around 400 years within a very large geographical area.
I have built instruments with and without internal support,
with falt or carved fronts, carved or bent ribs and flat and curved
bridges - all of which are successfull in their own ways. If you are
interested to know more about 'authenticity' in this area, do get in
touch.
As a maker my greatest
priority is to build instruments that work for the modern player and am
very happy to adapt or modify designs/setup/stringing etc to suit.
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