A Biographical Dictionary of Fiddlers di A. Mason Clarke
3 18 Biographical [Dictionary of Fiddlers.
As a theorist and improver in the art of violin playing the name of Tartini stands out with additional lustre. It was he who first observed the phenomenon of the third sound, which he did in the year 1714, at Venice. This is the resonance of a third note, when the two upper notes of a chord are sounded. Thus, if two parts are sung in thirds, every sensitive ear will feel the impression of a bass, or lower part. This may be distinctly heard if a series of consecutive thirds are played on the violin, they being perfectly in tune. " If you do not hear the bass," Tartini was wont to say to his pupils, " the thirds or sixths which you are playing are not perfect in the intonrtion." About 1730, Tartini effected considerable improvements in the bow, which contributed in no small measure to revolutionize the art of violin playing. He caused the bows to he made less clumsy, and out of lighter wood than those which had been previously used ; he adopted the straight stick instead of retaining the bent form, shortened the head, and made small longitudinal grooves in that part of the stickwhich is held in the hand, so as to prevent its turning betwren the fingers. His merits as a composer have been commented upon by Dr. Burney in the following terms:—"Though he made Corelli his model in the purity of his harmony and
| |
Biographical Dictionary Fiddlers Tartini Venice Tartini About Tartini Corelli This This His
|
