Music has been a part of humanity since we have been recording history. And while a lot has changed over the years, some things have remained constant. For example, the types of instruments and how they are made. Take the violin for example. To this day, it is one of the most popular instruments and is still made using traditional processes. However, that does not mean that this is the only way to create the instrument. In the latest innovation in the field, the AVIVA Young Artists Program recently revealed that they are 3D printing low-cost, durable violins for music students.
It’s no secret that violins are expensive to buy. While professional violinists often have instruments that cost between $2,000 and $10,000, it is possible to have one that costs millions depending on what they were like and who made them. In fact, even basic student violinists often cost $1000 or more. This can make it difficult for many to access the instrument, especially for beginners and music classrooms. However, the AVIVA Young Artist Program hopes to rectify this.
The violin body (photo credits: AVIVA Young Artists)
The program started as an experiment in 2012 to reach underserved communities through the first virtual Suzuki-based program. And now it has become the leading web-based young artist program for violinists from all over the world. It not only seeks to connect people with music around the world, but also to grow and innovate. And his 3D-printed violin is a key part of that mission.
First presented at the Acoustical Society of America Conference on December 6, 2022, the 3D-printed violin not only works properly, but could be made at a fraction of the cost of a traditional instrument. Printing costs for each were just $7, while assembly costs were less than $30. Considering that even inexpensive beginner violins are around $500, this is a significant reduction in the price and would make these beautiful instruments more accessible to more people.
But how is the violin 3D printed? According to a press release from the Acoustical Society of America, the body is made of a plastic polymer material in the same way as a traditional acoustic violin, specifically designed to produce a resonant tone. Meanwhile, the neck and fingerboard are printed from smooth ABS plastic to make it more comfortable in the player’s hands. Also, the resulting violin apparently produces a darker, softer sound than traditional instruments.
And although it is not yet for sale, the violin has already been tested. An early iteration allowed Mary-Elizabeth Brown, director of the AVIVA Young Artists Program, to play Harry Stafylakis’ “Singularity” concerto, which was explicitly written to be played on 3D-printed instruments. Brown concludes:
“Our goals were to explore the new world of sound created through the use of new materials, take advantage of new technology being used in other disciplines, and make music education sustainable and accessible by printing more durable instruments. The next step is to explore design modifications as well as efforts to reduce production costs while making such instruments more widely available, especially in the field of education.”
You can learn more in the Acoustical Society of America press release HERE. What do you think of these 3D printed violins? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly newsletter here to get the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.
*Cover photo credits: AVIVA Young Artists
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