Post Number Six: Freebie

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Post Number Five: #IBmakingart



The Bass Viol on the right is a product of John Rose’s craftsmanship. Made of wood, it was crafted in London, England in 1600. The size is as follows: total L.: 119.5 cm (47 1/16 in.); Body L.: 71.5 cm (28 3/16 in.); Body W.: upper 32 cm (12 1/2 in.), middle 23.4 cm (9 3/16 in.), lower 39 cm (15 1/8 in.); Rib H.: upper 9 cm (3 5/8 in.), middle 23.4 cm (9 3/16 in.), middle 12.6 cm (4 15/16 in.); Belly W.: at the neck 5.2 cm (2.05 in.) lower 39 cm (15.35 in.) lower: 12.7 cm (5.0 in.) Belly W. at the neck 5.2 cm (2.05 in.)

Produced in England during the Seventeenth century, the Viol was introduced into playwriting as an accompaniment piece. It was frequently played in a consort of two to six people for the purpose of entertaining. The Viol was commonly played within Henry VIII’s court, and developed into an instrument that could be played by amateurs. The ease of production and playing of this instrument led to the discovery of various characteristics of music such as chords and scales.

While it is easy to learn to play the Viol, it is not easy to craft a Viol. The Viol is not a traditional art form, in that is a variation of wood working. Only certain types of wood may be used in order to ensure the instruments durability, while the shape of the wood greatly factors into the intonation of the sound produced by the bowing or plucking of the five strings. The Viol is considered an instrument of elegance. Crafter’s such as John Rose have recognized this, and have shaped the instrument with curves to emphasize this elegance.

In contemporary times, this elegance is represented by the art’s audience. The Viol has become an instrument that is less common in “pop” music, and is typically played by a master Violinist in a professional orchestra. The orchestra is more frequently visited by the one percent, or upper class of society. The etiquette standard that one dresses in evening clothing when going to the orchestra has a direct correlation to the elegance of the Viol, and other instruments seen in the orchestra company. It is interesting how the guitar, a direct descendent of the viol is more commonly used in pop music which is considered less formal music. Guitars are often included in the musical entourage that accompanies a group or singer when performing. In these performances, the audience is typically more casually dressed indicating a lack of formality or elegance at these events.

Word Count: 425
Sources:http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1989.44