Engravings/Paintings of Baroque Ensembles

Am interested in seeing how the violin was held. Even though there are a lot of people now playing “baroque” violin, I see no one holding the violin in a position similar to what is seen in these old engravings.

Recently I ditched my shoulder and chin rests and started holding my violin in the style similar to the engravings. There are several challenges/annoyances. One is that the bow I have is a standard modern bow which is too heavy and does not really seem designed for holding it sideways against the violin rather than on top of it as with modern playing.

Another thing which I can’t really confirm due to lack of a baroque violin is the angle of the fingerboard, which is less on a baroque violin, and again something that might impact the kinesthetics of playing in a more vertical rather than horizontal position.

The tone that I am able to get out of the violin in the vertical position can be really nice. The playing can be more relaxed in many cases. I find that my technique has changed – the way passages are articulated is much more pleasing to me, sounds more natural and what I imagine was closer to what was in the composers’ minds (and hearts).

It also has caused me to slow down. No whizzing through pieces. Again a change that I feel is more natural in some way and perhaps closer to what was in the composers’ minds.

Another surprise is that the bowing has changed and become more fun. But until I’m able to get a baroque bow I will hold off on any further assessment.

Both violinists on the right in this painting are holding their violins sort of halfway between vertical and horizontal.  The one in the center is holding his even more horizontally but still not quite as horizontal as the modern posture.

This looks more Renaissance. I’m totally cool with going back to the Renaissance. Imagine what the violins or proto-violins were like then!  It would have been a blast to play such instruments.

No violins here. But the lute – the lute is my guiding instrument. Whenever I think about the overall energy and feeling of baroque music and the sound I want I think of the lute.

Interesting how she’s holding her violin. In a more vertical position but also kind of sideways. Note this is the first and only modern picture of a violinist holding her instrument in a vertical position that I’ve seen so far.

The last thing I wonder: Why don’t people have hair like this any more?  Such beautiful and dignified hair that one sees in all these old paintings.  Why did people stop?  I don’t trust people with short hair.