Bourbon, The Violin and Leonardo da Vinci

[Gillman]

Does anyone here play the violin?

Gary

[B.B. Babington]

I played one on TV. No, wait, I played a doctor on TV. No, wait, I was the cameraman. Or maybe played Leonardo DiCaprio trying to paint like da Vinci. No, wait, I think too much bourbon was involved so not sure now, it might have been a cello.

[Gillman]

Well, I would prefer just a straight-out violin player, no particular level of accomplishment is needed.

Gary

[393foureyedfox]

only in response to occasional postings..

[callmeox]

Bonneamie plays violin though I've suggested that she learn to play fiddle while in Kentucky.

[Josh]

She does but the word on the street is that she is considering switching to the viola.

[bonneamie]

YES! I do play the violin and I will be attempting viola soon. What is your interest, Gary?

[Gillman]

Okay violinists and friends of same, this is why I asked. One of the great food writers of the 20th century was the Briton Elizabeth David. She became well-known for her lyrical and emotional evocation (for a war-rationed, exhausted population) of sunny Mediteranean and Levant cuisines in the the 1950's and 60's. She helped spark world-wide interest in regional and "market" cuisines, one that has not ceased to grow to this day. Re-reading one of her essays recently, in discussing Italy and its people, she drew together a number of strands - empathy for the warm character of the southern Europeans, wine savvy and historical depth - by noting that Leonardo da Vinci had the delightful habit of playing violin to an open vessel of wine. He did this because he theorized that the sound waves would penetrate the liquor and work the same kind of improvement that shipment over far distances did for wines and other liquors (she gave the example of Madeira but could have cited bourbon's passage down the ole Mississippi had she known of its development).

What a lovely, humane and possibly efficacious idea!

Who amongst you will try this with our favourite liquor, bourbon? Just pour some in a pyrex dish, say, and put bow to the strings. I guess you could play anything you like but I think for example a fast hoedown-type piece wouldn't do. While it has a happy connection to the down-home subject of bourbon, I fear those charging sound waves might do damage to the drink. No, something softer is wanted, ideally Italian music but it could be Gershwin, Ellington, or anything sunny, warm and a little romantic. Or shall we say, bellissimo!

Who will try it? No harm and hey, you will be following in the great steps of Leonardo da Vinci.

Gary

Edited June 4, 2014 by Gillman

[squire]

Well, I've been known to sing a bit after a few drinks.

[Gillman]

I accept this in lieu of violin in your case Squire: sing warmly and lustfully at the wine-dark pyrex to keep with the romantic ethos. And of your experience - i.e., does the OGD acquire gossamer wings? - do thou report well and truly.

Gary

P.S. Bourbon-dark doesn't sound right.

Edited June 4, 2014 by Gillman

[AnotherCigarGuy]

Does the fiddle count?

[Gillman]

Yes it does, as long as you play something not too high test (none of those fast breakdowns, say): bourbon molecules need tender treatment, we're in la dolce vita here.

Gary

[squire]

Think Bourbon Profondo Gary.

[Gillman]

You got it.

Now let's await the reports.

Gary

[El Vino]

First post. Long time lurker. If you need violin, why not just put a nice violin concerto on the stereo and adjust the volume? After all, sound waves are sound waves.

[bonneamie]

For you, Gary, and in the interest of art and science, I will try this. I'll post results within a few days.

[Lost Pollito]

Sounds alot like this.

http://www.terressentia.com/terrepure/terrepure-technology

[sutton]

Sounds alot like this.

http://www.terressentia.com/terrepure/terrepure-technology

Violin removes bite?!? I'm in ... time for music lessons.

[Dannabis]

I will champion this idea Gary!!!

I prefer to play guitar or tenor sax, myself so it will not be the fiddly violin for my bourbon.

But when I set up my fender deville 2x12 tube amp and crank the fuzz rock, I will see if she improves.

I will try a second experiment where I serenade her sweetly, a different bottle, and see if I notice any particular improvements.

I think I will also need to do this over the long term to achieve "ship-like" vibration effects.

I would love to start bringing music in to rickhouses, where the vibration would actually probably have more pronounced effects.

If I ever buy a barrel, or make a mini barrel, I will serenade her regularly and share the results when bottled.

I guess I need to save for a barrel full or for enough white dog to fill a mini barrel.

[BAO]

One of my favorite bourbon times is Friday when I get home from work. I usually will take a pour of something nice into the basement and pick up a guitar for 30 minutes or so. I always thought the bourbon tasted better when doing this...

[Trey Manthey]

I play the upright bass, which is a kind of violin. I've noticed playing low notes near a glass of anything will create noticeable surface waves.

[Gillman]

Excellent, thanks Amy and all. Let's hear the results, sweet-toned, fuzz-toned, or however you do it (since my attempts at a quietude of sound waves seem destined for failure ). The terressentia process from what I can glean does also involve exposing the drink to agitation of a type but its details are obscure. Let's go old school with Leonardo and see what happens.

Gary

[jburlowski]

Great thread, Gary! Yet another demonstration of what a great resource you are to the community. :bowdown: