ABSTRACT
The Violin Octet consists of eight experimental instruments of the violin family designed and constructed on acoustical principles to carry the timbre, tone, and playing qualities of the violin into seven other tone ranges from the tuning of the bass to an instrument an octave above the violin. The present effort to create a violin octet was brought into focus by Henry Brant, the composer, when he was at Bennington College. Many adjustments had to be made in basic outlines and overall measures to accommodate player needs, while at the same time respecting basic violin parameters. The Catgut Acoustical Society has an illustrated brochure giving the musical and constructional features of each instrument as well as a set of full-scale drawings for the eight instruments with suggested plate tuning frequencies for violin makers, that can be purchased through the office.
