All Things Strings: An Illustrated Dictionary

摘要

The author of this single-volume dictionary is a violinist/violist with an international classical and jazz performing career, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from Eastman School of Music, so there is no doubt about her authority to compile such a dictionary; and the simple but effective line-drawings are provided by professional double bass player, T.M. Larsen. The dictionary is described as, "the only comprehensive resource for the terminology used by the modern string family of instruments. All of the terms pertaining to violin, viola, cello, and double bass, inclusive of all genres and playing styles, are defined, explained and illustrated [. . .]". Although not overtly stated in the title, the book is thus a dictionary pertaining to bowed string instruments, even taking in a few mechanically bowed instruments such as the hurdy-gurdy, but excluding plucked strings (banjo, ukulele, harp, guitar, lute, etc.). In fairness, it would probably be easy to look up many of the terms on the Internet, but there is no denying the convenience of having so many definitions brought together in one visually pleasing volume.