Homework question:A violin for use in the school orchestra costs about 80. A Stradivarius violin (made in 1644-1737) plays the same notes but costs about 500000. What are the 2 reason you think a professional violinist would prefer to play a Stradivarius?

1. The sound quality on a Stradavarius is not even comparable to a school violin. Good violins have a deep, clear, powerful sound, while school violins tend to sound shallow and tinny. This is not just due to the workmanship; some people think that the climate in Europe when Stradavarius was alive was different than today, and the wood there was of better quality back then. Age also helps a violin's sound mature, although some people prefer new violins.

2. Some violin techniques are simply not possible on a school violin. For example, many pieces require you to play close to the bridge end of the fingerboard (near the bow), and on a school violin, notes just don't come out properly up there, especially on the G string. Fingered harmonics are also much easier on a better violin, and the response time is quicker on a Stradavarius; that is, the notes don't take as long to sound, making fast passages easier.

A school instrument is completely different than a Stradivarius. Although they are the same instrument, they are completely different. Stradivarius violins have a powerful sound that come from them, they resonate much more than other violins. A Stradivarius is a hand made instrument, where the school instruments are probably factory made violins (not to say that some of them aren't). Overall, a Stradivarius is a much better instrument for a professional than a school instrument.

A Stradivarius is said to have much better sound quality than anything that we can make today. This is what makes them so valuable. You can spend a few bucks and get a radio that plays the same stations as a $500 or $600 stereos system, but the sound quality out of the cheap radio will not be be close to matching that of the expensive system. You get what you pay for.

Workmanship. They don't make 'em like they used to.

What kind of homework question is THAT?

Because it sounds so much better, and because it sounds a whole lot better.

1) sound quality
2) prestige

Here some information about the Stradivarius:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stradivarius

This question inspired me to ask another one:
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/614781

Status and Resale :)