Play with Ray Chen: Exploring Violin Sound

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In this video I go and explore the question "What is sound?" by interviewing different people in the business. I've always held a fascination, almost an obsession with comparing instruments and their sounds, being able to describe in words (which can be very difficult!) and processing that information into useful information for the concert hall.
The violins we compare are also simultaneously being vetted to be loaned to the finalists of this year's Play with Ray: Hollywood Bowl competition where the winner will perform Bach Double Violin Concerto with me and the LA Phil in front of 18,000 people on August 8th, 2019. Entries close May 1st!
HOW TO APPLY: www.hollywoodbowl.com/playwithray
Videography by: / metalsides
Special thanks to Tarisio - Fine Instruments & Bows
w e b s i t e : www.raychenviolin.com/
f a c e b o o k : / raychenviolinist
i n s t a g r a m : / raychenviolin
t w i t t e r : / raychenviolin

[@RayChenViolinist]

Stay motivated to practice! 🎵Join the community and practice together on Tonic tonicmusic.app/join-in

[@Elfango]

Love Ray’s cheerful and bright attitude. He’s always that way.

[@kaiyuanwu3301]

Violin No.2 is the BEST!! So much colors and I like the darkness

[@Malignus68]

Violin No. 2 was my favorite, too. Very sweet and vocal quality.

[@jaspertan7877]

Same that dark sound. Love it

[@LouisBertrandTech]

Yes, even after the big reveal.

[@ritualee10]

No.2 was also my favorite. Dark and rich, but also had a "shine" on certain notes that were goosebump inducing for me. Love that one.

[@emmak7270]

Me too! I loved it!

[@dannyboy2267]

Paganini: Violin concerto no. 1 in d major Violin 1. 6:05 Violin 2. 6:18 Violin 3. 6:32 Violin 4. 6:45 Violin 5. 6:58 Tchaikovsky: Violin concerto in d major Violin 1. 7:11 Violin 2. 7:31 Violin 3. 7:52 Violin 4. 8:13 Violin 5. 8:33 Bach: Double violin concerto in d minor Violin 1. 8:57 Violin 2. 9:17 Violin 3. 9:38 Violin 4. 9:59 Violin 5. 10:20

[@thomasgallagher6935]

Ok why can he play almost perfectly with the violin on his chest

[@chinesebaloni]

Go try it for yourself. It's not that hard.

[@geffreimaudeleyne6041]

He practices 40 hours a day like Ling Ling.

[@liamderosa2157]

Because he practices 40 hours a day, duh.

[@Dmichoacan]

Ling Ling workout

[@pacificnorthwestpilots6050]

Lol, that is crazy

[@tessLizCroft]

I rate this an interesting/10. I'm so excited to watch the video!😊🎻

[@alexsaldarriaga8318]

Loved this video, but the sad truth is that I will never be able to afford any of those instruments. Would love to see Ray run this same exercise, but with modern makers who are still alive and whose instruments are much more affordable to those of us of modest means. Thank you Ray!

[@Sorestlor]

But you might be able to afford one that sounds just as good. Have hope!

[@alexsaldarriaga8318]

Thank you Stone Mug. That is indeed my hope!

[@chinesebaloni]

Get a better line of credit bro

[@ninacone]

Ray looks like a kid with Stern's concert tails, is so cute. For the violins I was just wishing someday I can play as good. Altought I like the ones with more depth (#3) and bright E string :)

[@sydney5987]

Aw the 5th violin was my favourite. It also makes me sad that ray chen's last choice is worth about 5,300 times as much as my violin.

[@bboygraff1]

its so sweet and gentle

[@aroberts2716]

It was my fav too!

[@jclai9710]

Mine too! It's got a very unique darkness to it.

[@rushanvellani8375]

Sydney Przyuski mine as well!

[@portraitbyelise2309]

My favourite was Violin # 1. High register is explosive and bright, just sounds like it reaches the sky. And overall, I love how easy to play it looks, like you don't have to put too much effort and energy , the sound comes immediatly with power whenever the bow touches the strings. 7:16 please :-) so beautiful... Very interesting Ray has described Violon # 5 as "old school" when it was indeed made by a violin maker family older generation (ie papa Guarneri).

[@marquizo_5116]

Moral of the story... Violins can be expensive

[@wissalbenali5911]

They are

[@marquisdehoto1638]

Expansive still sounds too cheap with some violins 😅

[@rainakaha700]

Ray entering "the vault" : OMG ! Is this heaven ? Ray trying Stern's tails : OMFG ! THIS IS HEAVEN !!!! This was very nice to hear in words what you thought of the different violins (I'm feeling my audio is bad and not picking the differences as I would like it to). The winner of your competition will be quite lucky to have the chance to play these instruments !

[@stevenlau1946]

violin 1 really quite stands out. The sound is strong, and very responsive to tiny bow movements. For other violins there's a subtle delay before the sound voice out.

[@999a0s]

This is a great point. It’s really “fast” and resonant. With that said I liked the frequency response of 2 best but we’re listening through glorious KZbin audio compression, so … who knows

[@ArieAGinting]

number 2 is my Favorite... i'm using Profesional Studio Headphone just for this Video as ray said, its sounds calm, warm, and dark but ellegant :)

[@ofsabir]

Mine too. I also decided that before Ray mentions.

[@katie4623]

Why is everyone working in this store so hot? my luthier looks like gepetto.

[@diegeigergarnele7975]

Mine too but that's the way it should be... hot luthier should be illegal

[@lyili3428]

are u joking

[@janicejiang5065]

lol🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@LinhNguyen-di5bz]

I think they are salemen as well. In sale, appearance helps a lot

[@rigen97]

>implying gepetto isn't hot

[@vincentyi8047]

15:19 Why is Ray so astonished he plays a 10 mil strad.

[@punmaster1059]

He doesn't really play the strad though. He plays his Widen-house more.

[@cke900]

@@punmaster1059 no mostly his strad but sometimes he brings out his widenhouse

[@Caleb-ee2nt]

He's a Stradivarius player (fast bow + low pressure), maybe that is why he didn't pick the del gesu.

[@FiddlerSteve]

Good point, every player's different.

[@eurly93]

I think he has a del gesu too

[@PK-fw1xl]

Ray, you sweetheart, thank you so much for this timely video, I was perplexed about sound too and I'm looking at buying my first expensive violin! Love your enthusiasm! My choices when you played were 2, 4, 1, 5, 3 and I was definitely drawn towards violin 2. And my God, my reaction was exactly like yours! Expensive taste....time lapse...not so expensive after all...sheepish smile...😂🙈. but your description of each violin and how it's sounds was exactly, EXACTLY, what I was looking for, people talk of sounds but they never show me what a rich or velvetty or sharp or dark sound, SOUNDS like. Very enlightening! God bless!

[@Henry-ge5dd]

The richest part is definitely the great video itself. Thank you Ray for your rich red wine-like rendition. The way to juxtapose the violins wouldn't be of meaning until being played and benchmarked by a virtuoso like you.

[@xiaoranzhao923]

5:28 Ray fits well in Isaac Stern's tail, you sure it's a compliment?

[@marcojonsson2597]

That was a great video. I personally did like the #1 violin best. It's so cool to hear such amazing violins up close and personal

[@robertoalvarez88]

Me: I love how bright, and powerful the E string sounds on violin #1. Also me when I see it's a $15 million violin: .... *walks away slowly* .....

[@liesbethkh5648]

1, 4 and 5 were my favorites. Thanks so much for this, this is really treat for me as a amateur violinist.

[@flibbertygibbette]

I just started learning violin in my 40s(!), and the information and insight you share is so helpful and inspiring.

[@Falindae]

Violin 4 and 5 have such a unique sound!!! I LOVE them!

[@hyl6520]

This video is just what I need !!! Thanks a lot Ray !!!

[@mayumiyamamoto283]

always a pleasure thank you

[@serwoolsley]

As soon as i heard the 2nd violin i was sold, that's what i seek in a violin

[@iroh1796]

Violin 2 feels so warm instantly fell in love with it

[@VLsk8]

The violin #1 with the Paganini concerto, such power and resonance, beautiful

[@chriss.277]

I also liked the violin 2 the best. Thanks for the comparisons and a chance to look at the inside of a very fine shop. 💖

[@MB-ud5vy]

He was like a kid in a toyshop while walking through the vault, except the "toys" are really expensive. Loved how excited he was when wearing Stern's tails 😊

[@seantzeng1849]

#1 was my favorite. The projection was by far the best I thought. #2 was my second favorite, it didn't seem as loud/powerful but it sounded nice. The others didn't really compare with the first two I thought.

[@yesicasegovia4459]

Same

[@FiddlerSteve]

I spotted the del Gesu! The middle bouts gave it away. Wasn't my favorite though; agreed with Ray on #2, at least when he's playing. This was a fun video!

[@FCarraro1]

really loved n.2 from the very first note of Paganini. Glad that we're all on the same page :)

[@chriss6356]

#1 was my favorite, looks like I have good taste :p

[@larsb.7679]

4 and 2 were my favorites. I thought Number 1 isn't that nice. But thats my personal opinion. Have a nice day everyone ! ❤😄🎻

[@NierAutomata2B]

Actually I liked the 5th violin best, coming in their mic and out from my headphone, it sounded clearer in the treble. Probably their mic couldn't capture the width and strength of the other instruments, being in front of him must be very different. My second favorite is Ray's favorite, the 2nd one which has a really great complexity like rich red wine. Anyways I think these instruments are expensive because their makers and the history, to the majority of us I believe a modern violin with a price around 10K should be extremely good and produce sound at a similar level.

[@kxkx8243]

Would be also interesting to see a comparison between new and antique violins of the same price range and your thoughts!

[@randomppl4122]

Enjoyed this video tremendously!!

[@DrLuu1972]

They are all good looking and sound amazing...

[@HenJack-vl5cb]

Fantastic video-make more please!!!!

[@juanandresmariani7184]

Genio!! muchas gracias por tus videos!

[@lorenayussif3816]

Oh Ray, it made me very sad that that my favorite one was your less favorite. No.5 sang directly to my heart. So, so beautiful sound! 😔🎻💖

[@oralkaan]

Three and four were my favorite. That tubby sound made the high phrases so much more interesting, but I can understand how they would probably be better as a solo violin duet as that deeper end would be lost with other deeper instruments. I dont onow but makes sense maybe. I am just a hobbiest who plays for myself and friends and number three and then four, wow i dont think i would be able to stop playing! Sounds so good

[@alfredcarvalho2233]

Would have loved to see another video like this with a few Strads and Amatis thrown in as well as some contemporary violins, really love the unbiased review, even in my opinion 2nd violin was the best projection and tone wise.

[@LegionareX]

I enjoyed the melodious and rich sound of No. 3 the most.

[@LyndseyMacPherson]

So fun! This is like, the next best thing to taking you violin shopping with me. I really wish you would do this again with lower-market violins. ^^

[@druidsongevergreens]

I was in love with the raw sweetness and fluidity that number 3 required, and with number 5 (it sounded sooo old-swoon), but he was right, those two didn't suit his playing at all. I thought he would pick 1

[@luigimarioswag3525]

hey ray i think you should do a violin comparison for instruments ranges from $1000 to $100,000. Those are more realistic for most of the musicians out there. Few people(close to none) can afford a million dollar instrument.

[@nocopyrightaudiomusiclibra7802]

nice, I think it is great keep sharing them good job thanks for this

[@yuecreative7461]

Funny because I preferred the second one before you said it was your favorite, loved the sound you make with it

[@Angelwrites]

This was an awesome vid thanks for sharing! Also that host was really great! So many these days are so timid and unaware but not that guy

[@antoniuspirus]

Todos os violinos são magníficos e o músico é mais ainda.

[@dreamwave5199]

I’m applying! LA here I come (hopefully)!

[@kxkx8243]

Loved it! 1 and 2 were my fave violins too! Super interesting, would be cool to see you try cheaper violins too to test the difference between an 1000 dollar violin vs the best!

[@trigger565]

Awesome video! My favourite was #2 as well, though I liked #5 as well for its classic sound :) would love if you could throw a couple more affordable instruments in the mix (like a Vuillaume?)

[@sebastiancuano9920]

Me: Plays a $800 violin it’s amazing it produces Beautiful sounds. Rey: (1.7 millon dollar violin) “OH Okay a little cheaper”

[@user-ww2nd4co2p]

I don't mean to flex... But mines 900

[@user-ww2nd4co2p]

@Channel Name i need a new one and im looking at 3000

[@user-ww2nd4co2p]

@Channel Name yeah true

[@mignuscarlsen5613]

Josh I can sell my if you want for 20k

[@mignuscarlsen5613]

Josh a Guarneri heifetz model

[@intento3inflexible]

The number 3 is the most beauty sound for me!

[@mengsqmw]

The minute he played no.2 I knew this is the ONE!! My fav is also no.2.

[@laralillian7487]

No. 1 was my favourite. I think it’s sound is more what I would look for in a violin. But No. 2 was a very close second it’s hard choosing between such beautiful violins! Not as if I’m actually going to be playing them lol. So shook when they revealed the prices tho dayummmm

[@ivyssauro123]

Yay my favorite were both Guadagnini! Although I liked the sound of 3 the best, it got character, I understand what heavy playing means and it really is indicative of a lesser violin, but it and two were by far the best, and not evem that expensive (for the dealer's standard anyway).. Despite not being so legendary I think in terms of sheer sound, specially for more romantic and modern playing Guadagnini just blows everything else out the window.

[@kalinkapavlova9398]

Me, a non musician, listening to these violins: 1) green apple flavour 2) honey flavour (my favourite, too) 3) pear flavour 4) cheese on water crackers flavour (I quite like cheese on crackers as a snack) 5) molasses flavour

[@michaeldou5475]

nice comparison lol

[@Shashukas]

I think number #4 is the best one. Cause i can feel the space of sounds which means it’s really suitable for playing in a huge concert hall. Also the violin covers high tones to low tones as well.

[@hongluzhang7771]

ray: you have to find what suits you me: I find whatever suits my wallet

[@vaaaaaaliiii]

I love the background music ^^

[@memoryerror]

Number 2 was my favorite as well.

[@shadowburnt9432]

I am so glad that I also favorite the second one haha.

[@bryanurizar]

I also preferred No. 2. As soon as I heard it!

[@heleenabatts9413]

I love how you describe them having personalities

[@Molly-rp1kg]

I'm in love with violin 1

[@trajan_x0128]

Haven’t watched the whole thing 2 is my favorite rn

[@rl106]

Awesome!

[@neoniahazelwood9263]

I love this great video.

[@sebsubZz]

I'd say number 4 is my favourite one. Great vid ray!

[@sebsubZz]

Lmao it turned out to be the cheapest one

[@catitse2]

I liked it a lot too! My favourite one was number 2 and then number 4

[@emmak7270]

I’m so jealous of him!😩 I want to play those violins

[@normantang6924]

On the #1 del gesu, when he goes to the G string, the rich earthiness is apparent immediately which is kind of a giveaway

[@3spressoShot]

2 and 5 are my favorite

[@maddie4449]

Nice video, it's really interesting to compare the sounds of these violins! N°2 was also my favourite ~ Haha Ray you are such a violin fanboy trying the jacket...

[@milanvarghese]

Second violin is my favorite too!

[@MadaxeMunkeee]

That room must smell amazing

[@cmd_violin9690]

2nd and 5th violins sounds great

[@enricofarsetti5416]

I love your video

[@linda3104]

The 5 was my absolutly favorite. Then cames the second, the fourth, the first and my absolutly last choice would be the three.

[@nil2k]

As the listener, I liked violin #1 the best.. it made you sound so awesome. Watching the rest of the video now, I see I had expensive taste.

[@njess26]

Ray, my friend and I are really great fans of yours she plays the cello and she really wishes that there is a cello youtuber as fun and as great as you are She might be praying for you to start playing cello instead of violin XD could you please recommend her any cellist youtuber out there that's just as fun? pretty sure you're not reading the comments but really want to help her out :)

[@FursAzrael]

5th and 2nd in order favourite

[@everlills1339]

Yay, my fav was also violin 2

[@rawmark]

Great video Ray. On another noted, did you ever see the amazing, oscar winning film that Mr. Stern was a part of? It's on tubi tv. And it's called From Mao to Mozart and it covers Mr. Stern's visit to China, which he received a personal invitation from the government to tour the country.

[@samansell283]

I had a sneaking suspicion the 2nd violin would be the best when you first played it. Then after playing it in the second round, it definitely sounded best!

[@jonhh6918]

My choices would have been 5, 2, 1, 3 and 4. If only I had 1.6 million 😌 Great video ! A similar kind of video would be interesting with affordable violins options. What I mean by that are prices that we could afford 1k to maybe 20k.

[@pipe2698]

#2 is my favorite

[@kryzak123]

3rd one was my favorite, but I like loud and less complex things. ;)

[@carolineandtigger]

Bravo!!!

[@vanessalopez2083]

You gotta make everything perfect for that big day!

[@pbxmusic]

no 5 . the most expressive one

[@yutang9898]

please make more sound exploration vids! :)

[@anis_n]

When Ray was playing, I liked Violin 1 most and Ray’s face after the reveal was honestly me 😂

[@surapolp]

This is a very interesting video.

[@dadvader6197]

you're doing good at this kind of videos, serious without beeing boring. would be nice if you could invite other type of players and do it for the others instruments.