Loading...
 

Ramsay - Ramsay's Violin Varnish

Image-page-85


Make middles in the bass as much as possible. Roots and middles, and middles and tops, do well in arrangements; for example, F and A.

-----


     A very important thing in the making of a violin, after a good form, a right balancing of part against part, and all of wood in skillful condition, is the violin varnish. Composition:-

                    Linseed oil boiled,...     ...     ...     1 part.
                    Isinglass,      ...    ...     ...     ...     1/2 part.
                    Turpentine,     ...    ...     ...     ...     Quantum suf.

Give two coats with this, then rub down with fine sandpaper. Then, best copal varnish, one coat. Finish then with boiled linseed oil, thickened with sifted 'rotten stone.' This gives a fine, smooth, and dull surface. Ramsay's violins are of surpassing tone; and he considered the varnish an important element in violin-making.

-----


     There are 32 notes required for each octave for the 13 major and the 13 minor mathematical scales. These 32 notes are by the law of duality arranged symmetrically from D as a center upwards to G#, and downwards to A♭. D itself serves for 2 of the 32 on the piano. The first black keys on each side of D serve for nominally 3 notes each = 6. The first white key above and the first below D serve for 2 notes each = 4. The second white key above and the second below serve each for 3 notes = 6. The second black keys above and below D serve each for 3 notes = 6. The third black key above D is G#, the third below is A♭; this key, for it is one, serves for 2 of the 32. There is a comma of difference between D minor and D major. Six fifths below the minor D26 2/3 is A♭, the root of the subdominant of the key of E♭ minor; and six fifths above the major D27 is G#, the top of the dominant of F# major. The difference between this minor A♭ and this major G# is two commas and

page 85

Created by Dale Pond. Last Modification: Tuesday December 1, 2020 05:12:46 MST by Dale Pond.