The devolopment of violin and the violin makers between 15. and 18. centuries

In this dissertation, the historical and structural development of the violin between 15th and 18th centuries were investigated based on violin making schools and viol makers. The Mediaval strings instruments such as fiddle, rebec, viola da braccio and viola da gamba are examined on the basis of their holding positions, tunings and stylistic developments together with the contributions to the origin of violin form. In addition, the luthiers and viol makers who had lived in 16th century were included to this study with their instruments survived to our time. Gasparo da Salo's unsymmetrical craftsmanship centered on sound production as well as G.P.Maggini's broad patterns, which are far beyond of their era generates the core of violin making. In the third division of study that is titled with 16th century, Brescian school of violin making as well as the luthiers and viol makers who had lived before Andrea Amati's time were inquired. The founder of Cremonese school Andrea Amati and Amati brothers with structural characteristics of their instruments were investigated under the heading of 16th century. By the 17th century, violin making began to flourish under the leadership of Brescian and Cromenese makers and the other parts of European regions have also had their share of this tradition. The violin makers who represent French violin making school and and the regions of Tyrol and Füssen located on the Austrian border are the subject of the fourth section of the study. Italy's 18th century includes the Guarneri family makers and A. Stradivari, in addition to Italian violin makers who lived in different cities such as Venice, Bologna, Milan and Florence. The fifth section of dissertation investigates the violin makers who lived outside of Brescia and Cremona cities along with violin making schools they represent.