Resources for Players

Short biographies of the English Viol Composers (in process) are available here (compiled by a Pacifica Viols member, Nick Jones, and stored on his website).

The Viola da Gamba Society of America provides many useful resources on its website, including:

• Viol/ Bow Makers & Sellers :  https://vdgsa.org/pgs/links.html#MAKERS
• Early Music Organizations:  https://vdgsa.org/pgs/links.html#GROUPS

The U.K. Viola da Gamba Society has a rich website, especially under the heading Publications, where their editions are listed for sale, and where a Thematic Index of Composers can be consulted (listing individual works by composer, each with a short “incipit,” a  quote in musical notation of the opening theme.

Looking to buy an instrument? Regional and national viol workshops/conferences (such as Conclave) often feature viol and bow makers who allow you to try out and compare instruments.