HISTOY

SOUNDPOST

The soundpost or "Anima" - the soul of the violin is a very well -hand fitted dowel that sits inside the violin. The soundpost is supporting the pressure from the strings on the top and transmitting the sound throughout the soundbox.

As the soundpost is a dowel, that can be put in and out but does not show from the outside. It is very hard to tell when did they start putting a soundpost in the instruments. was it part of the original design of the instrument or was it something that was added on?
A lot of the changes in instruments but in architecture and lifestyle is documented through history in writings and art. As it is not easy to see the soundpost we can’t really point out when it started besides this one recollection from the past.

The first mentioning of the soundpost is in the famous play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (circa 1595–1597). Where the three musician are introduced as: Simon Catling, Hugh Rebeck, and James Soundpost. Catling a violin highest note gut string. Rebec is one of the origins of the violin. And our first mentioning in history of the soundpost.
Read Act IV scene V where Peter, the Capulet servant, enters and asks the musicians to play a happy tune to ease his sorrowful heart. The musicians refuse, arguing that to play such music would be inappropriate.