Art Cello Single eBook James N McKean
Download As PDF : Art Cello Single eBook James N McKean 
In this deeply moving memoir of loss, friendship and craft, Jim McKean shows what happens when long-time rivals set their egos aside and work together to memorialize the life of a dear friend — through the centuries-old art of violinmaking. Told in eloquent, honest prose, Art’s Cello is a story about coming to terms with the past and letting go of the failures we allow to define us — and, in the process, honoring the lives of those we’ve lost.
Jim McKean is an international award-winning violinmaker, author, and corresponding editor of Strings Magazine. He is a graduate of the first violinmaking school in America and the former president of the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers. His novel, Quattrocento, was published in 2002.
Cover design by Evan Twohy.
Art Cello Single eBook James N McKean
This splendid book by James McKean, which on the surface, is about losing a friend and making a musical instrument, is, in fact, a piece of music itself. The opening two sentences define the essential theme. "A jointer planer; that's how it all began. Rabut had one and I didn't." McKean's book is a fugue, which builds around the idea of creation through relationship as a means for defying -- not death -- but meaninglessness. The narrative plays back and forth in time over the course of about a year, pursuing specific themes -- the meaning of friendships and family, the essence of quality, and enduring extreme loss. He does this by tricking you. He conveys profound ideas with an "aw shucks' approach, with corny jokes, and quiet simple observations. He claims not to be the best friend or best husband ever. He isn't perfect, and he describes, without self-pity, his failings and inadequacies. He credits his friends with higher skills both at instrument making and relationships. There's nothing phony about his modesty. He believes it and so do I. I'm thinking, "Gosh, he's just like me." On the other hand, and here's the tricky part, while he's simply and honestly talking us through his difficult year, he is also creating, with his friend, a spectacular cello in tribute to Art, his dead friend. And, in writing this long beautiful essay, he made this experience resonate, like music, evoking the emotional journey by drawing his bow back and forth, playing us out from its central theme and back into it at the finish. You might close this book and say, "Well this is a pretty simple book by an ordinary guy. I could write this." You'd be wrong. It isn't, he isn't, and you couldn't."Product details
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Art Cello Single eBook James N McKean Reviews
I loved this book! I loved being able to enter the world of three expert cello makers as they swap tools, ideas, woods, and affection. As an ardent guitarist, I have spent time with luthiers and learned something of the craft of instrument makers, but McKean's book gave me a much richer and deeper appreciation of the daily rituals and concerns of this esoteric guild. But this is not a book about how to make a cello; it is a book about friendship, about death, about generosity, about striving for excellence. And cellos are the medium through which these ideas swirl and play. It's a fun and educational read, whether you're a musician or not.
I have only read through half of this beautiful story on my but I have to put it down ....if only because I am at work.
At first McKean was a vaguely familiar name. A children's author (?) and I thought, "How wonderful that a writer with so much perception is writing for children." but then I looked him up and discovered that he is a VIOLIN MAKER! Perfect! of course he is.
The writer of this book can't just be sitting at a desk making things up (as wonderfully as many writers have done). There is so much simple truth in this story he must have lived it at some level and he must be an artist of things that are visually and audibly engaging. He has to be a craftman. He has to have felt these tools, crafted these instruments, and loved these people in his soul to have captured them so well. This book is an offering of a gorgeous and generous perspective on life, friends and the things that matter.
I really admire the craftsmanship in writing, too. Elegant description, believable dialogue, and exquisite pacing all adding up to a story well told.
These days when it is really hard to trust a new writer, spend time searching for samples to read, or (yuk!) waste good money on stuff you want to correct with a pen, I am so glad I was able to once again stumble upon a wonderful book. I love that kind of surprise!
A highly passionate, insightful and marvelously well written account of a master violin maker involved in a particularly heartfelt project. A commemoration of the art and personality of a brilliant departed colleague, this work is a traversal of the author's life and intimate interactions both with his own creations, his creativity, and with those encountered and savored along the road.
Not many authors can be both spiritual and down to earth at the same time, especially with writing so well crafted. Much as Steinbeck's "Travels with Charley" was a graphic painting of far more than the physical traversal of the country, so does McKean's work take us to profound reaches which resonate deep inside. And the humor is always there, as unexpected moments punctuate the writing. A totally delightful read.
I'm not going to pretend to be unbiased about Jim McKean, since I own two of his cellos and play on one of them every day. I also don't have anything to add that other reviewers haven't commented on. This is indeed a rare look inside the world of cello making, and Jim has a way with words that makes you keep reading. The only thing missing is that I wish each of you could hear what Jim does to an instrument....why is that still not possible with an e-book? There's one passage in particular where Jim describes "setting up" a cello. He and Guy Rabut both know the cello doesn't sound its best, so they listen to it, then tap the soundpost, and suddenly the sound of the instrument changes. That's one of the most magical, and deeply gratifying, aspects of owning one of Jim's cellos I can take it to him any time for an adjustment. But until the day that e-book technology rises to the level of reading an e-magazine (with hyperlinks) you'll have to settle for mere words alone. Not fair, methinks.
This splendid book by James McKean, which on the surface, is about losing a friend and making a musical instrument, is, in fact, a piece of music itself. The opening two sentences define the essential theme. "A jointer planer; that's how it all began. Rabut had one and I didn't." McKean's book is a fugue, which builds around the idea of creation through relationship as a means for defying -- not death -- but meaninglessness. The narrative plays back and forth in time over the course of about a year, pursuing specific themes -- the meaning of friendships and family, the essence of quality, and enduring extreme loss. He does this by tricking you. He conveys profound ideas with an "aw shucks' approach, with corny jokes, and quiet simple observations. He claims not to be the best friend or best husband ever. He isn't perfect, and he describes, without self-pity, his failings and inadequacies. He credits his friends with higher skills both at instrument making and relationships. There's nothing phony about his modesty. He believes it and so do I. I'm thinking, "Gosh, he's just like me." On the other hand, and here's the tricky part, while he's simply and honestly talking us through his difficult year, he is also creating, with his friend, a spectacular cello in tribute to Art, his dead friend. And, in writing this long beautiful essay, he made this experience resonate, like music, evoking the emotional journey by drawing his bow back and forth, playing us out from its central theme and back into it at the finish. You might close this book and say, "Well this is a pretty simple book by an ordinary guy. I could write this." You'd be wrong. It isn't, he isn't, and you couldn't."
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