Getting Started in Early Music
The New Performance Season is Here- Learn How Givens Violins Can Help You Prepare
The New Performance Season is Here- Learn How Givens Violins Can Help You Prepare All of us at Givens Violins want you to sound and play your best as you start the season after a complicated year and a half. Now is the time to take care of this before becoming “super busy”. Here […]
Survive the cold: 5 winter care tips for protecting your string instrument
Winter brings a drastic decrease in humidity in the northern states, requiring extra winter care for our instruments. Splits along the grain, as well as open bouts are common damage seen during the winter months. There are many ways to protect your instrument and prevent costly repairs: Keep your instrument in a closed case. Your […]
Preparing for Back-to-School Music Lessons and Orchestra
As the new school year nears, it’s time to gear up for music lessons and orchestra. Don’t miss a beat and prepare beforehand to help ensure your violin, viola or cello sounds its best. Givens Violins has some savvy tips to help kickstart this upcoming journey back into melody making — so sharpen […]
Renting Vs. Buying Your First Violin, Viola, or Cello
Ready to begin a musical adventure with your child? Exciting times await as you enter the world of stringed instruments. But first you must find a violin, viola or cello that fits your child’s size, abilities, and budget. Don’t worry! Givens Violins is here to help. We understand the importance of choosing the right instrument […]
How to Maintain Your Instrument’s Value Over Time
In the world of fine violins, violas, and cellos, value comes and goes for many reasons. History, sound, and craftsmanship can all add or detract from an instrument's value. Whether you play professionally, maintain a collection, or just admire workmanship, your instrument is an investment, and how you preserve that investment's value depends on a [...]
Dom Nicolo Amati: A Revered Master of Bologna’s Violin-Making Heritage
Dom Nicolo Amati (1662-1752) is not from the Cremona Amati family. He established his own distinguished reputation in Bologna. His given name was Nicola Marchioni, a Bolognese priest and associate of the Tononi family. He was known for his meticulous craftsmanship and the warmth of his tonal palette, Dom Nicolo Amati’s instruments are celebrated for [...]
Pernambuco Banned?: The New Rules for Violin Bows, Players, and Collectors
If you're plugged into the world of classical music, especially if you're a violin or viola player yourself, you may have heard that Pernambuco has been "banned." To the layman, that may not mean much, but for professionals and violin enthusiasts, it's a big deal. However, this new change to customs doesn't make it illegal [...]
Enrico Marchetti: Cuorgnè and Turin’s Master of Elegance and Tonal Brilliance
Enrico Marchetti (1855–1930) was one of the last great masters of the Turin school of violin making, a tradition that traces its roots back to Giovanni Battista Guadagnini. Known for his exquisite craftsmanship and the exceptional tonal quality of his instruments, Marchetti’s violins are a testament to the artistry and innovation of late 19th and [...]
Celeste Farotti: Milanese Virtuosity in Violin Making
Celeste Farotti (1864–1928) was a master luthier whose work epitomizes the finest traditions of the Milanese school of violin making. Renowned for his meticulous craftsmanship and artistry, Farotti’s instruments are celebrated for their tonal richness and striking aesthetic qualities. At Claire Givens Violins, we are privileged to offer a Celeste Farotti violin crafted in 1906, [...]
Stefano Scarampella: The Maker’s Hand in Every Detail
Stefano Scarampella: The Maker’s Hand in Every Detail Among the celebrated fine Italian violin makers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Stefano Scarampella stands apart - not simply for the unmistakable character of his instruments, but for the honesty and individuality of his work. Born in 1843 in Brescia and active until his [...]
