+Brian Lisus I've watched it numerous times as your video is also a favorite of mine and great inspiration for my own violin varnishing project. My female cat sits in my lap and watches with great interest. She purrs whenever the luthier kitties appear.
I feel deeply honoured to be even a small part of this most meaningful project. Brian, thanks for involving me. You are a master of the sublime variety. I hope your craft continues to give joy to people and uplift spirits throughout this world and beyond...
At the tender age of 65, I'm about to start carving my first violin. Watching this, I'm either enormously inspired, or enormously intimidated. I guess I'll find out tomorrow. (That's got to be one of the sweetest sounding cellos I've ever heard!)
Well Paul, I haven't budged from my computer except to occasionally eat or to use the facilities. I haven't even bathed for two whole years for the fear of missing your update, and yet it hasn't come!! I can wait no longer: how did you make out???
Sorry to be so quiet about this. I appear to have been intimidated, but not by this excellent video. Rather, by my own struggles with the tools. I got really nice belly and back seams, but gouging out the contours of the plates is beyond my level so far. I have tuned up and varnished three instruments, and they came out rather well, but making one from scratch is another story. I haven't given up, but I am not making any time commitments, either. So enjoy your bath, and rejoining your family!
Thanks for the update Paul. I haven't attempted a build either but would like to. I've seen others drill pilot holes at varying depths (depending of course on the contour) to use as a general guide for the shaping of the plates. In any case I doubt there is anyone who managed to get this right first time out. I think my first attempts at plate shaping will not be with instrument grade wood, but some glued 2 X 8s in pine. There's an old Stentor video on line showing their Chinese factory. If you want to get depressed, watch how fast those workers blast through the various build tasks. Thanks again for the update; I'll enjoy my bath, but suspect my family will be even more grateful than I will be! Good luck my friend.
@@paulcook4459 I'll be 71 this year and I'm thinking of trying a build. Something about it looks so rewarding. Planes are about my favorite tool, so I'm thinking of how they might be used instead of some of the tools here. While I like files, they scare me in use where the grain can blow out. I'd rather use a plane or chisel. Speaking of either the plane or chisel, I've learned to free hand sharpen in under 30 seconds to 16,000 Japanese grit, which leaves a polished surface. I rarely sand anything anymore. If I can find a source that teaches a class, I'll see how I can do. Now all I have to do is live long enough to finish the project! ( That part worried me while I was building my workbench. )
The depth and breadth of the creativity and ingenuity displayed in this video is breathtaking. Tens of thousands of hours of experience in growing, cutting and selecting the right wood. Tens of thousands of hours of experience in crafting the instruments. Tens of thousands of hours of experience in writing the music. Tens of thousands of hours of experience in playing these instruments. Every artist every craftsman standing upon the shoulders of those who came before them and relying upon each other just to make this beautiful music. Thank you for posting.
As a violinist myself, I found it incredibly interesting to see how my own instrument comes to be. Thank you very much, have even more respect for builders now, than I already had.
Hello Eugene …. thanks so much for your comment. It was a real privilege and honour to have you involved in the project and for the Quartet to perform your composition. I still have such fond memories of that performance at South Africa House in London, one of the highlights of the whole experience. Something that we could only have dreamed of 25 years ago!
This is an amazing video Brian. Thank you for sharing. It puts a lot of things in perspective for us as a violinist. I will share this with all my violin students and fellow violinists. We all need to know the amount of hard work, planning, dedication and ofcourse, the love that goes into making our beloved violins.
Music Mastery I would like to know who made my firebird violin and how old it is, by the smell inside the f holes it is very old ,is there any way I can find out ?
I don't know how I got here but I'm proud to say I'm very happy about seeing this transformation of a couple prices of wood into such a beautiful piece of art...🤗🎻
I always return to this video when it's been a while. It is just such a beautiful presentation of so many things that I love and it never fails to amaze me.
So wunderschön, diese ins kleinste Detail gezeigte Reportage, wie du eine Geige baust. Begleitet von einer das Herz berührenden Geigenmusik, Cello und Viola. Liebevoll jede Handarbeit an der neuen Geige, wie ein Streicheln, um die neue Geige zum gefühlvollsten Instrument entstehen zu lassen, ihr Leben, Schwingung, Klang und Herz zu geben. So genau und ausgiebig, um jeden Schritt verfolgen zu können, in sanfter Musik einschlagen zu können und zu erwachen, um zu sehen, wie weit die Geige in der Zwischenzeit entstanden ist. Immer und immer wieder zurückspulen, um wieder andere Einzelheiten miterleben zu dürfen. Die ganze Nacht begleitete mich eure Musik und die liebevolle Bearbeitung der neuen Geige. Bei dir würde ich meine zweite Geige entstehen lassen und diese danach mit meinem von ganzem Herzen kommenden Gefühl spielen. Danke tausendmal, so was Schönes hinsichtlich Geigenbau hab ich noch niemals erleben dürfen. Wo ist eure Werkstatt genau!?
I'm so pleased with watching your video. When I was a kid I had always been fascinated by the violin. and I got to play it for 3 years in middle school. I still would like to start back on it and if I could I would love to have one of your craftsmanship. Maybe one day my dream will dream come true. It made me appreciate this instrument even more watching you making it. San Jose, CA USA
I am a beginner at the violin. I just turned 50 today and I am loving learning. I desire to play the old gospel hymns. One day when Jesus comes again, I will have eternity to play for my King. I will enjoy playing for Him now and I will love and enjoy playing for Him then.
Started watching this with my 8 year old daughter this evening. (She started playing violin this year.) She thinks the video is amazing. She can't wait to see the rest of it. (Bed time snuck up on us before we could finish it.) Thanks again for sharing this.
hello Ewerton, as a violin player and lead violinist of my school orchestra, i usually have trouble trying to find the motivation to practice hard and thoroughly, but this video has made me pick up my violin differently. i now have a burning passion, and also a feeling of duty, bacause after having seen how much love and care a violin is made with, i feel i must show the same to my own, because it is only right. i play differently now. i play with passion. and i owe it to you. thank you.
My great-great-grandfather made and played violins. I own his only known surviving violin he made in 1944 entirely from curly maple he selected and chopped himself- right in his backyard. It's incredible to see the process that he would've taken to make it. I really enjoyed watching this video. Thank you so much for posting this!
Brian - im a carpenter in the Uk and i just had to say what a delight it was to find your video just by chance looking for information on buying a Violin. You are truely gifted and dedicated. What a pleasure it is to see you put your whole heart into the creations. You dont just make them - you feel them, you give new beautiful life to the blocks of wood. To be your apprentice would be a deluded impossible dream....
Here in Croatia,and neighbour countries we use term "violin builder",not maker.Now I know why. ;-) Such a beautiful exampče of craftmanship in it's finest! And the tools! I was in school for carpenter,and when I see so sharp chisels it leaves me stunned! Bravo maestro!
I've never heard someone imitate a Didgeridoo type sound with their voice along with a violin so beautifully...actually I've never seen it at all. This whole video was almost mesmerizing.
Brilliant, isnt it? Paganini was said to be a master at imitation with his violin, the only one that has been recorded was the Duetto Amoris in which the sound of two lovers can be heard. I would of loved to have witnessed Paganini's Fandango Spanola in which he made animal sounds with his violin and birds chirping lol.
As a guitar player interested in luthery, it is amazing to see the immense talent and attention to detail this man possesses! Near the end of the video at 51:08, it's interesting to hear the Viola player performing harmonic overtone singing at the same time he is playing the Viola!
What a beautiful job of both ART and SCIENCE !!! This is the most wonderful "instrument" made by human hands, the only thing man creates for love and peace!
Know this is the 3rd post, but the detailed craftsmanship and the performance, it all made me sit in awe for the duration of the video. I haven't truly realized the great differences between guitar and violins before now. The dynamics, glissandoes, precision...I'm definitely doing this.
I watched this because I'm interested in being a casual electric guitar luthier. I am massively impressed with the amount of precision and skill that was used to make these instruments. I can only wish to be able to have that kind of control over my tools. This video has inspired me however to get on some wood, and even gave me a few ideas for techniques for carving bodies and necks. Thanks so much!
This is incredibly moving and inspiring! It's astonishing to me how much skill you have with so many tools, devices, and materials. If a doctor had such breadth of knowledge and control with his tools, he'd be a part of every department in the hospital! As a professional violist and connisseur of fine string instruments, I was eager to hear and watch the instruments being played. They are responsive and open-toned, already exhibiting lots of possibility in color and character. I'd love to hear what they sound like today, after years of being played on. A hearty congratulations to all who were involved in this film!
MARVELLOUS !!! such great video is undescriblable ...it makes everybody speechless ! wow !! many thanks go to who's uploaded it and made it available. watching this video will definitely convince everybody why such hand-made items are precious and expensive ♬♪♪♬
I'm not sure what to say first! WOW!!! Such a beautiful art, as fascinating to watch as the music is to listen to. Such skill and patience and time in the making of the instrument, matches the skill and patience and time the musician puts in to playing it. I'm awestruck after watching this. Thank you for sharing your art with us, and special thanks to the cats for their cameo appearances too.
This video is so amazing! I want to try to make one when I'm older! Thanks for making this! Definitely one of the best videos I have seen! The wood being scraped was so satisfying!
This man makes his varnish from scratch by hand w/ double-boilers and a mortar/pestle. Incredible. Would love to hear how his seasoned instruments sound compared to other greats. This guy is amazing. A musician of craft.
This is an amazing video. From the very first moment of unboxing the wood, your first carving and making of the varnish to the very end was all so emotionally beautiful. I imagine Amati, Stratavari and Guarneri using methods like this back in the days before synthetic dyes and power tools. You have given me a renewed appreciation for my handmade violin and now every time I play it, I will feel the soul of the luthier through every note.
Wonderful, truly wonderful! To create a complete set of string quartet instruments is just.. amazing (I'm sorry, I can't find better words!). And even individually they sound beautiful and balanced too! I really wish this video was longer...
To an apprentice there are many avenues to a given procedure, to a Master there are few......Epic work dude, one misjudged whack on that cutting chisel and its all been for nothing! Thanks for sharing your passion with us. As a long time guitarist and a newly minted violinist I really enjoyed seeing you take God's creation and shape it into something we can use for his Glory thanks again!!!!
What a beautiful film! The instruments, even when they were new, sounded amazingly beautiful. Very moved by the last minutes, the solo with overtone singing of the viola-player - very very beautiful!
Thank you for the video. I can see so much care and dedication put into crafting those beautiful instruments. This video helped me, a beginner violinist gain more knowledge. I watched it to the end and it is satisfying to watch such hard work for making the instruments turn into wonderful music by the players in the end. Also, the cats are adorable!
I am Italian, I watched the video on how to make a guitar themselves. I ended up in this video that I watched entranced. is fascinating to watch the great craftsmen at work. As an Italian, I also was pleased his reference to Cremona. Actually a lot of compliments for his work
An absolutely fascinating and superb video chronicling the crafting of your gorgeous instruments. It was an enormous pleasure for this string lover to watch. You are a consummate artist. And I also enjoyed the contributions of your sweet, furry apprentices. I'm sure they had a considerable influence on the wooden perfection that resulted. :) Thanks so much for sharing this video with us. Bravo!
[Your craftsmanship was wonderful to intake visually. The varnish technique was most interesting for me. Thank you. The broad soft bass quality that resolved in the viola is what i thought would come from what i could see and register from the wood you were working with. Maybe as it is played more and the wood unfolds within, perhaps its expressiveness and projection will expand. Nice! Wonderful breadth of overtones in all the instruments. Bravo.] *Can you imagine how much information and how much understanding and now much feel of your craft i miss because i can not hear the sounds that your tools make?* The overtones tell me everything about the wood and the pressures you bring to a particular task. Beethoven could "hear" what the overtones of the base does to people. [my bet is he would have taken a well rosined bow and stroked the wood to know if it had the right growth rings to sing WhatIsNeeded, or used his fingernails to hear/feel the tonality properly] The music you choose is nice, of course, but not when the real symphony of the wood responding is completely hidden and lost because of it drowns my ears so i can not hear what is really important, how the wood and the tools sing together. You listen to all of that. That is where your feel of the tools really comes from. *Why deprive us from knowing that information. It is critical. It is everything. You know it [though you may not have realized it consciously]. Why not allow us to grasp what is happening, too?* {{{ and now, finally at 8:11mins. you tell us what i just asked for... groan... }}}
Hello Brian, I happen to play violin, viola, and guitar. As I am watching this video, I feel inspired to continue studying the art of classical music whether it is from the baroque era to the metal material from the 80's. Each time I pickup my instrument, I always see that someday, I might become famous on the very instrument I am putting my hands on even though I am still learning. Currently I am 15 years old and have been playing violin for 5 years, viola for 3 years, and guitar for a while.
Hi Brian - what a beautiful sounding quartet of instruments! And Peter Martens - wow - what a terrific cellist you have become! Great video - I should be in bed, but couldn't stop watching.
This is my favorite video on UA-cam. I watch it over and over again pretending I'm in a woodworking shop. Thank you
Many thanks, so pleased to hear that.
+Brian Lisus I've watched it numerous times as your video is also a favorite of mine and great inspiration for my own violin varnishing project. My female cat sits in my lap and watches with great interest. She purrs whenever the luthier kitties appear.
Frozen North I do it too. Especially at bedtime. It calms me down. Lol
I feel deeply honoured to be even a small part of this most meaningful project. Brian, thanks for involving me. You are a master of the sublime variety. I hope your craft continues to give joy to people and uplift spirits throughout this world and beyond...
At the tender age of 65, I'm about to start carving my first violin. Watching this, I'm either enormously inspired, or enormously intimidated. I guess I'll find out tomorrow.
(That's got to be one of the sweetest sounding cellos I've ever heard!)
Well Paul, I haven't budged from my computer except to occasionally eat or to use the facilities. I haven't even bathed for two whole years for the fear of missing your update, and yet it hasn't come!! I can wait no longer: how did you make out???
Sorry to be so quiet about this. I appear to have been intimidated, but not by this excellent video. Rather, by my own struggles with the tools. I got really nice belly and back seams, but gouging out the contours of the plates is beyond my level so far. I have tuned up and varnished three instruments, and they came out rather well, but making one from scratch is another story. I haven't given up, but I am not making any time commitments, either. So enjoy your bath, and rejoining your family!
Thanks for the update Paul. I haven't attempted a build either but would like to. I've seen others drill pilot holes at varying depths (depending of course on the contour) to use as a general guide for the shaping of the plates. In any case I doubt there is anyone who managed to get this right first time out. I think my first attempts at plate shaping will not be with instrument grade wood, but some glued 2 X 8s in pine. There's an old Stentor video on line showing their Chinese factory. If you want to get depressed, watch how fast those workers blast through the various build tasks.
Thanks again for the update; I'll enjoy my bath, but suspect my family will be even more grateful than I will be! Good luck my friend.
@@paulcook4459 I'll be 71 this year and I'm thinking of trying a build. Something about it looks so rewarding.
Planes are about my favorite tool, so I'm thinking of how they might be used instead of some of the tools here. While I like files, they scare me in use where the grain can blow out. I'd rather use a plane or chisel.
Speaking of either the plane or chisel, I've learned to free hand sharpen in under 30 seconds to 16,000 Japanese grit, which leaves a polished surface. I rarely sand anything anymore.
If I can find a source that teaches a class, I'll see how I can do. Now all I have to do is live long enough to finish the project! ( That part worried me while I was building my workbench. )
Did you ever finish it?? I must know! Just do it, man! You can do it! Or, youll learn enough from the first time thru that youll do it the second!
One of the best hours I have spent in years - I can' t comprehend the talent of the violist starting around 48 minutes -- the whole video is magic.
The depth and breadth of the creativity and ingenuity displayed in this video is breathtaking. Tens of thousands of hours of experience in growing, cutting and selecting the right wood. Tens of thousands of hours of experience in crafting the instruments. Tens of thousands of hours of experience in writing the music. Tens of thousands of hours of experience in playing these instruments. Every artist every craftsman standing upon the shoulders of those who came before them and relying upon each other just to make this beautiful music.
Thank you for posting.
As a violinist myself, I found it incredibly interesting to see how my own instrument comes to be. Thank you very much, have even more respect for builders now, than I already had.
Thank you maestro for the phenomenal demonstration of how an instrument is born with love.
If you ever want to build a violin, just remember, you are going to need a cat.
+aDotFromTheFuture For the strings
hpstoogie Hah, indeed.
+hpstoogie Actually, they're made from sheep.
+Jack Housman I guess you could put it THAT way
aDotFromTheFuture Close to the edge is better
Hello Eugene …. thanks so much for your comment. It was a real privilege and honour to have you involved in the project and for the Quartet to perform your composition. I still have such fond memories of that performance at South Africa House in London, one of the highlights of the whole experience. Something that we could only have dreamed of 25 years ago!
You will notice that my logo is a cat. This is no accident.
hours of hand perfection for someone's happiness.....
Music is that much Precious
👏👏👏👌👌👌
Heart Paul and 1,500 at least for happiness and 400$ in sheet music. Expensive, huh?
This is an amazing video Brian. Thank you for sharing. It puts a lot of things in perspective for us as a violinist. I will share this with all my violin students and fellow violinists. We all need to know the amount of hard work, planning, dedication and ofcourse, the love that goes into making our beloved violins.
+Music Mastery
So pleased to hear that you enjoyed the video and found it informative.
Music Mastery I would like to know who made my firebird violin and how old it is, by the smell inside the f holes it is very old ,is there any way I can find out ?
Watching this has made me enjoy playing the violin more and also the craftmanship behind the instrument.
What a beautiful documentary! The cats were the icing on the cake!
I don't know how I got here but I'm proud to say I'm very happy about seeing this transformation of a couple prices of wood into such a beautiful piece of art...🤗🎻
I am also a begging to violinist and this has truly inspired me to fulfill my dream of joining an orchestra
I always return to this video when it's been a while. It is just such a beautiful presentation of so many things that I love and it never fails to amaze me.
As a viola player, I was very happy to see the viola get in the spotlight during this video!
For once right?? I'm right with you on that one. #violapower
I could watch / listen to this post for hours. In fact...I have. Thank you for keeping the soul upheld.
So wunderschön, diese ins kleinste Detail gezeigte Reportage, wie du eine Geige baust. Begleitet von einer das Herz berührenden Geigenmusik, Cello und Viola. Liebevoll jede Handarbeit an der neuen Geige, wie ein Streicheln, um die neue Geige zum gefühlvollsten Instrument entstehen zu lassen, ihr Leben, Schwingung, Klang und Herz zu geben. So genau und ausgiebig, um jeden Schritt verfolgen zu können, in sanfter Musik einschlagen zu können und zu erwachen, um zu sehen, wie weit die Geige in der Zwischenzeit entstanden ist.
Immer und immer wieder zurückspulen, um wieder andere Einzelheiten miterleben zu dürfen. Die ganze Nacht begleitete mich eure Musik und die liebevolle Bearbeitung der neuen Geige.
Bei dir würde ich meine zweite Geige entstehen lassen und diese danach mit meinem von ganzem Herzen kommenden Gefühl spielen.
Danke tausendmal, so was Schönes hinsichtlich Geigenbau hab ich noch niemals erleben dürfen.
Wo ist eure Werkstatt genau!?
I am immensely impressed by this video. The skill is from another planet. and the tone of the instruments is beyond beautiful!
Being a Mandolin builder, I was riveted the entire video. BRAVO !! Well done..........
I have never heard a viola that resonates and sings that beautifully...
I'm so pleased with watching your video. When I was a kid I had always been fascinated by the violin. and I got to play it for 3 years in middle school. I still would like to start back on it and if I could I would love to have one of your craftsmanship. Maybe one day my dream will dream come true. It made me appreciate this instrument even more watching you making it. San Jose, CA USA
Many thanks for your comment ... it sounds like you would would get great pleasure playing again.
I am a beginner at the violin. I just turned 50 today and I am loving learning. I desire to play the old gospel hymns. One day when Jesus comes again, I will have eternity to play for my King. I will enjoy playing for Him now and I will love and enjoy playing for Him then.
If I ever come across a considerable amount of money. I would have you build me a Viola. What painstaking work you do into your work. Marvelous work.
Cats are the craftsman's metronome. The influence of their serene demeanor keeps the work unhurried and the pace steady, calm and sure.
what a great craftsmanship! Every sequence of the process is so beautifully photographed!
You are a genius. This whole video is such a masterpiece.
indeed
Subtly pleasing and richly educational. Thank you, Brian.
Beautiful instruments, wonderful music, lovely cats what more can I say a joy to watch cheers.
Started watching this with my 8 year old daughter this evening. (She started playing violin this year.) She thinks the video is amazing. She can't wait to see the rest of it. (Bed time snuck up on us before we could finish it.) Thanks again for sharing this.
How has this not been viewed by every person on the internet!?
hello Ewerton,
as a violin player and lead violinist of my school orchestra, i usually have trouble trying to find the motivation to practice hard and thoroughly, but this video has made me pick up my violin differently. i now have a burning passion, and also a feeling of duty, bacause after having seen how much love and care a violin is made with, i feel i must show the same to my own, because it is only right. i play differently now. i play with passion. and i owe it to you.
thank you.
My great-great-grandfather made and played violins. I own his only known surviving violin he made in 1944 entirely from curly maple he selected and chopped himself- right in his backyard. It's incredible to see the process that he would've taken to make it. I really enjoyed watching this video. Thank you so much for posting this!
Brian - im a carpenter in the Uk and i just had to say what a delight it was to find your video just by chance looking for information on buying a Violin. You are truely gifted and dedicated. What a pleasure it is to see you put your whole heart into the creations. You dont just make them - you feel them, you give new beautiful life to the blocks of wood. To be your apprentice would be a deluded impossible dream....
The craftsmanship that goes into the building of that, is incredible. Thank you for posting this wonderful video.
Fantastic video. Craftmanship, amazing music and lovely cats. Whats not to like.
As a former cabinet maker I'm in awe of the skill it takes to make a violin. Lovely video. :-)
I can't believe what I just saw - and heard. Art at it's highest level. Wow. Just wow!
Here in Croatia,and neighbour countries we use term "violin builder",not maker.Now I know why. ;-) Such a beautiful exampče of craftmanship in it's finest! And the tools! I was in school for carpenter,and when I see so sharp chisels it leaves me stunned! Bravo maestro!
I've never heard someone imitate a Didgeridoo type sound with their voice along with a violin so beautifully...actually I've never seen it at all. This whole video was almost mesmerizing.
Brilliant, isnt it? Paganini was said to be a master at imitation with his violin, the only one that has been recorded was the Duetto Amoris in which the sound of two lovers can be heard. I would of loved to have witnessed Paganini's Fandango Spanola in which he made animal sounds with his violin and birds chirping lol.
As a guitar player interested in luthery, it is amazing to see the immense talent and attention to detail this man possesses!
Near the end of the video at 51:08, it's interesting to hear the Viola player performing harmonic overtone singing at the same time he is playing the Viola!
Beautiful beautiful beautiful..thanks and greetings from Italy
What a beautiful job of both ART and SCIENCE !!!
This is the most wonderful "instrument" made by human hands, the only thing man creates for love and peace!
Know this is the 3rd post, but the detailed craftsmanship and the performance, it all made me sit in awe for the duration of the video. I haven't truly realized the great differences between guitar and violins before now. The dynamics, glissandoes, precision...I'm definitely doing this.
This is a fantastic documentary. I watched it in awe and amazement! I must have exclaimed "oh, *that's* how they make that!" at least twenty times.
I never get tired of this video and I can't wait till I am an apprentice with you sir. Looking forward to my trips to Ojai.
That was a honor to watch. very beautiful. I love the violin even more. thank you for sharing this with us.
This takes an incredible amount of skill and patience. I look forward to hearing the sound in concert.
Most of the hits on here are probably from me lol. I watch this almost every night just to get relaxed enough to go to sleep. I love it.
I come here quite often too! :D
Christian Pasquali haha dude what brought you here? That's funny. Orgy of one lol
Great documentary, I love it. Thanks for sharing it with us. Now I know more about violin making and varnish preparation... Really inspiring.
Beautiful. The whole video. Extraordinary. Thank you.
I've continually watched this video for years. Thank you for the amazing content and work you create.
i love watching the cats watch you work. this is instantly one of my favourite videos.
This is astonishing! I just took up violin and I am humbled to see the craftsmanship that goes into making one from scratch.
"The right tools make all the difference" *WellDone* *Mr.* *Lisus*
Best video on UA-cam!!!! I'm a violist. To the people who disliked this video: you know nothing about the beauty of the life.
This is one of the most beautiful things on UA-cam!
Stunning work. Thank you for sharing. I was hipnotised from start to finish.
you are a master !!! such accuracy and patients I have never seen before (and i am also a wood worker or a carpenter) and this has just blown my mind.
And knowing you build instruments as a passion seems to be really great.
Regards,
Natanael
Hats off to you Sir. That was a joy to watch.
Unbelievable skill and endless patience.
I watched this because I'm interested in being a casual electric guitar luthier. I am massively impressed with the amount of precision and skill that was used to make these instruments. I can only wish to be able to have that kind of control over my tools. This video has inspired me however to get on some wood, and even gave me a few ideas for techniques for carving bodies and necks. Thanks so much!
This is incredibly moving and inspiring! It's astonishing to me how much skill you have with so many tools, devices, and materials. If a doctor had such breadth of knowledge and control with his tools, he'd be a part of every department in the hospital! As a professional violist and connisseur of fine string instruments, I was eager to hear and watch the instruments being played. They are responsive and open-toned, already exhibiting lots of possibility in color and character. I'd love to hear what they sound like today, after years of being played on.
A hearty congratulations to all who were involved in this film!
This is such an intimate thing to watch. Thank you for posting this.
wow the sound from that viola is just amazing, I was entranced all the way through this video.. awesome
MARVELLOUS !!!
such great video is undescriblable ...it makes everybody speechless ! wow !!
many thanks go to who's uploaded it and made it available.
watching this video will definitely convince everybody why such hand-made items are precious and expensive ♬♪♪♬
I'm not sure what to say first! WOW!!!
Such a beautiful art, as fascinating to watch as the music is to listen to. Such skill and patience and time in the making of the instrument, matches the skill and patience and time the musician puts in to playing it. I'm awestruck after watching this. Thank you for sharing your art with us, and special thanks to the cats for their cameo appearances too.
This video is so amazing! I want to try to make one when I'm older! Thanks for making this! Definitely one of the best videos I have seen! The wood being scraped was so satisfying!
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this video I found it simply wonderful. Love peace and blessing from Los Angeles California ( Bucky
This man makes his varnish from scratch by hand w/ double-boilers and a mortar/pestle. Incredible. Would love to hear how his seasoned instruments sound compared to other greats. This guy is amazing. A musician of craft.
I love everything...! Music, making, materials, cats...! Just perfect.
One of the best videos I've ever seen on UA-cam
Absolutely stunning. Thank you for your gift to the world.
15.00 the master luthier cat inspects the amateurs work ...
i loved seeing you carve this beautiful instrument, very inspirational, and the music in the background was divine.
I love all the violins and all the cats in this video!
This is one of the most relaxing and satisfying videos. Brilliant.
This is an amazing video. From the very first moment of unboxing the wood, your first carving and making of the varnish to the very end was all so emotionally beautiful. I imagine Amati, Stratavari and Guarneri using methods like this back in the days before synthetic dyes and power tools. You have given me a renewed appreciation for my handmade violin and now every time I play it, I will feel the soul of the luthier through every note.
Amazing and beautiful! Thank you for sharing this wonderful video. ❤🎻💯
Fascinating video and unbelievable skill, greetings from Italy :)
Wonderful, truly wonderful! To create a complete set of string quartet instruments is just.. amazing (I'm sorry, I can't find better words!). And even individually they sound beautiful and balanced too!
I really wish this video was longer...
To an apprentice there are many avenues to a given procedure, to a Master there are few......Epic work dude, one misjudged whack on that cutting chisel and its all been for nothing! Thanks for sharing your passion with us. As a long time guitarist and a newly minted violinist I really enjoyed seeing you take God's creation and shape it into something we can use for his Glory thanks again!!!!
What a beautiful film! The instruments, even when they were new, sounded amazingly beautiful. Very moved by the last minutes, the solo with overtone singing of the viola-player - very very beautiful!
You have to admire true craftsmen...Amazing work.
Awww. Kitties! Oh, and cool craftsmanship too.
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful experience!
I cannot thank you enough for this source of beauty...
Thank you for the video. I can see so much care and dedication put into crafting those beautiful instruments. This video helped me, a beginner violinist gain more knowledge. I watched it to the end and it is satisfying to watch such hard work for making the instruments turn into wonderful music by the players in the end. Also, the cats are adorable!
Absolutely beautiful voices. Very inspiring. Thank you, best wishes for the future,
What a great video. Its been my mission to build a violin. This is a great inspiration . Thank you.
I am Italian, I watched the video on how to make a guitar themselves. I ended up in this video that I watched entranced. is fascinating to watch the great craftsmen at work. As an Italian, I also was pleased his reference to Cremona. Actually a lot of compliments for his work
Wonderful video. I'm in awe of your skill.
An absolutely fascinating and superb video chronicling the crafting of your gorgeous instruments. It was an enormous pleasure for this string lover to watch. You are a consummate artist.
And I also enjoyed the contributions of your sweet, furry apprentices. I'm sure they had a considerable influence on the wooden perfection that resulted. :)
Thanks so much for sharing this video with us. Bravo!
[Your craftsmanship was wonderful to intake visually. The varnish technique was most interesting for me. Thank you. The broad soft bass quality that resolved in the viola is what i thought would come from what i could see and register from the wood you were working with. Maybe as it is played more and the wood unfolds within, perhaps its expressiveness and projection will expand. Nice! Wonderful breadth of overtones in all the instruments. Bravo.] *Can you imagine how much information and how much understanding and now much feel of your craft i miss because i can not hear the sounds that your tools make?* The overtones tell me everything about the wood and the pressures you bring to a particular task. Beethoven could "hear" what the overtones of the base does to people. [my bet is he would have taken a well rosined bow and stroked the wood to know if it had the right growth rings to sing WhatIsNeeded, or used his fingernails to hear/feel the tonality properly] The music you choose is nice, of course, but not when the real symphony of the wood responding is completely hidden and lost because of it drowns my ears so i can not hear what is really important, how the wood and the tools sing together. You listen to all of that. That is where your feel of the tools really comes from. *Why deprive us from knowing that information. It is critical. It is everything. You know it [though you may not have realized it consciously]. Why not allow us to grasp what is happening, too?* {{{ and now, finally at 8:11mins. you tell us what i just asked for... groan... }}}
Thoroughly enjoyed this, thanks for sharing!
Hello Brian,
I happen to play violin, viola, and guitar. As I am watching this video, I feel inspired to continue studying the art of classical music whether it is from the baroque era to the metal material from the 80's. Each time I pickup my instrument, I always see that someday, I might become famous on the very instrument I am putting my hands on even though I am still learning. Currently I am 15 years old and have been playing violin for 5 years, viola for 3 years, and guitar for a while.
Hi Brian - what a beautiful sounding quartet of instruments! And Peter Martens - wow - what a terrific cellist you have become! Great video - I should be in bed, but couldn't stop watching.
Amazing, fascinating art work!
Wonderful. Your craftsmanship is amazing. (And your cats are awesome!!!)