David Dodge Boyden (Westport, Connecticut, December 10, 1910 – Berkeley, California – September 18, 1986) was an American musicologist and violinist specializing in organology and performance practice.
Boyden played an important role in the development of the UC Berkeley music department in his position as chair.
[3] Boyden's focal scholarly research, however, was his innovative work on string instruments and performance practice; this culminated in the publication A History of Violin Playing from its Origins to 1761.
The Culmination of the Early History of Violin Playing, 1700-1761.” In each of these sections Boyden utilizes musical analyses of relevant works, organological studies, and iconographical studies, as well as critical examinations of treatises and contemporary accounts to elucidate the development of the violin, its performance and technique.
[4] Boyden also adeptly infuses personal insight from his broad experience and knowledge as a scholar of musical objects and performance.