Selection of Wood

To make a violin, the first step is to choose wood. Only with good wood can we start cutting and carving. The selection of wood relies not only on knowledge and understanding of wood, but also on the judgment of experience and knowledge. There are hundreds of types of wood, and selecting materials that meet the requirements of each part of violin making is a skill. Each type of wood has its own unique characteristics and features, and commonly used woods include maple, willow, ebony, pine, and so on. When a piece of wood is held in the hand, a qin maker already knows where to use it, what thickness and shape to cut it into. This is the sensitivity and judgment that a qin maker should have, and only rational judgment is the only attitude to make a good qin.

The age of wood

To make a violin, the use of wood must be perfect. The age of wood may be overestimated in determining the importance of sound quality, but the material of wood will affect the future life of the entire violin. Heavy wood will bring out the original and low notes, while light wood will bring out the high notes.

The drying process of wood

Wood must be exposed to sunlight and thoroughly dried. Respondents mentioned that if young and fresh wood is directly used to make musical instruments without being dried, cracks or deformations will quickly occur.

Control of Wood Temperature

A good traditional practice, especially in areas with high humidity, is to store wood in an environment that emits good air with temperature and humidity control. Bennewitz believes that 12-18 degrees Celsius is the best temperature for storing wood.