Scientists pierce 'secret' of Stradivarius violin -- in part

Stradivarius violins made by Italian craftsman Antonio Stradivari in the 17th and 18th centuries are among the most famous musical instruments in the world. Experts have been trying to understand the reason for its exceptional sound quality for two centuries. As well as the wood and shape, many believed Stradivari's secret lay in a special varnish. After four years of study, scientists in Paris have finally identified the composition of the varnish but they admit that they're no closer to piercing the mystery surrounding the mythical violin. Duration: 02:17

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• STRADIVARIUS

[an50331]

@oncosinos well if it is true that all human emotions are created by complex chemical reactions in the brain (which is most certainly is) than even the most divine, religious experience can be explained by science

its just that because we dont understand it that we think it does not have a scientific answer.

[oncosinos]

As a cientist myself, this is an absolutelly ridiculous try by science. If science could unrevaill all secrets of nature, the problems of existence would not even be touched. Sad try. Unfortunatelly medicine follows the same trend. Science is only another kind of religion. A poorer one. If for instance you desconstruct the Brugges Cathedral in order to "understand" the purity of the light that enters through it during a winter day, you will desconstruct the way for this same light to come in.

[AngelixArch]

@PredictThisProphecy

Hey, I don't mind the idea of progression, as long as it doesn't compromise the already existing things and ideas that we enjoy. There are two factors to an e-book... It's convenient and useful to keep on oneself especially if you're on a trip and don't want to bring your entire library with you... But then again, it also is a danger to regular good, old fashion books. I guess I'm just used to the smell of a book o.o So really, there are two sides to this :P

[PredictThisProphecy]

@AngelixArch if more people were like you we'd still be using horses to get about. Progress is a good thing.... An e-book has the pictures and the text of a real book (the substance). So all you want is the paper and glue holding it together. Seems kind of pointless to me. be slightly more open minded....

[AngelixArch]

@thecopykidofthestarz

And become what? Another instrument of the terrible modern 'music'? If you meant in sound and quality, then maybe okay, but the originals will always be better... Same with those Ereaders... A book in hand will always be better to read than a computer device...

[AngelixArch]

@zalzankavol2

therefore, these preserved instruments have been played out enough to sound that way :P

[jfkdjfd]

@zalzankavol2 Too right mate. Me, i'm a guitar player, and you're exactly right. None of these scientists must not play music, just study things.

[zalzankavol2]

This story is incorrect. The mistake researchers have made is a case of not seeing the forest for the trees." A study was done, published in acoustic guitar magazine, that showed how mere vibrations effect cellular changes that make an instrument more responsive the more it is played. They attached new guitars to vibration machines that had measurable effects on sound quality. In other words, the more you play an instrument, the better it will sound. 

[rahxephon52]

damn, legendary instruments. 

[1971SuperLead]

@bersa888 Ah yes, the torture the trees endured during the "little ice age" was captured into the wood and then is released again into the music as the violin is played.

Makes perfect sense and is why we are so moved by these violins.