David Boyden's classic book, first published in 1965, was the first to deal comprehensively with the history of violin playing against the vast panorama of the violin's evolution and the music written for it. Its principal theme is the manner in which the violin was actually played in past centuries, dealing with such practical questions as bowing disciplines in their national and historical evolution, the performance of staccato, the use of vibrato, the meaning of numerous and esoteric performing directions, the notation and performance of double stops, the rules of scordatura playing, and the sound of the violin in early times. Remaining an invaluable source of reference for the performance of early music, this book is now available for the first time in paperback.