Rheum After 5: Air Force Rheumatologist Fine-Tunes Art of Violin Making

Still, there are other aspects to appreciate, like the scroll. But the instrument’s real beauty is its sound. He says every violin maker considers this same question: Does it require effort to make sound or does the violin seem to sing naturally by itself?

With more than 200 violin makers in this country, many of whom are outstanding, he says there is plenty of competition.

“I’m not sure I’ll ever match their quality,” he says. “That’s the thing about violin making. You can always do better. There’s always room for improvement. You never quite reach your ultimate goal.”

Click here to listen in.

Dr. Higgs stringing a violin

Dr. Higgs stringing a violin.

Dr. Higgs in his workshop

Dr. Higgs in his workshop.

Dr. Higgs playing one of his violins.

Carol Patton is writing the Rheum After 5 series for The Rheumatologist.

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