New Player, New Violin?, starting violin Options

[all ears]

Liz from Elidatrading or one of the strings teachers could tell you more, especially on prices... but I see you've already ordered a Gliga, so it will come set up already.

"Set-up" means strings and bridge for starters, but also the soundpost (inside the violin). A really gung-ho luthier might take the violin apart and start gouging stuff out of it, but not usually unless you ask him/her to!

THere are lots of luverly strings out there, and people have their preferences of course, but the Gliga probably comes set up with strings that the vendor thinks suit that particular instrument, and are fairly durable. Some of the more expensive strings don't stay in good condition all that long - they are for people who can and will change their strings every few weeks.

The shape of the bridge is a matter for experts, but luthiers have their own preferences on shape and type of wood. For a start, it should be sitting really snugly on the violin - no tiny gaps between the violin and the "feet" of the bridge. In theory, a bridge of a harder wood with a snug fit should transmit vibration efficiently into the body (soundbox) of the violin.

Although it doesn't affect the sound, as a beginner, you might prefer quite a curved bridge, so that it's easy to play on the string you want, without accidentally sounding the neighbouring strings. But as you progress, you might want a flatter bridge so that you can play double-stops (chords)more easily.

In a cheap or neglected violin, the soundpost could easily be crooked, or have even fallen down inside the violin, or be in a bad position, or again, not be fitting really snugly against the top and bottom of the violin. Having the soundpost in the right place will instantly create a clearer sound!

Of course, your bow will also make a big difference to the sound, but even more, your developing skill in bowing will get more and more out of the violin.

[elisabeth_rb]

Elisabeth, lots of Japanese women play 7/8 instruments, and you can certainly find good ones, though it may take you a while.

Big sound...I'm sure others can tell you more, but apart from the tendency for "flattish" violins to be louder than "fat" violins, a poor set-up will really affect both tone and volume, so shop at a stringed instrument specialty shop if possible.

We were talking viola at this point... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[lottie]

So what are the best type of strings that people use - what's your favourite?

My teacher like Pirastro strings but they come in different types don't they? I don't know anything about strings yet but I would prefer ones with a warm mellow sound than anything too harsh and bright.

[Andromeda_Aiken]

Most beginners start with Dominants though their E string has somewhat of an infamous reputation for being extremely squeaky. =) Dominants are fine strings. I use Vision Titanium Solo strings and so far, they sound great! I aim to get a set of Pirazzi's when I get advanced enough. =) If you're a beginner, I'd say go for Dominants. It's more important to be able to get good clean notes each time before considering changing strings. You could, however, change the E string. My old violin had Dominants on them but I replaced the E with a Pirastro Tonica and it worked ok. It really depends on the violinist! It has to be something you like. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[jordancollege]

Most beginners start with Dominants though their E string has somewhat of an infamous reputation for being extremely squeaky. =) Dominants are fine strings. I use Vision Titanium Solo strings and so far, they sound great! I aim to get a set of Pirazzi's when I get advanced enough. =) If you're a beginner, I'd say go for Dominants. It's more important to be able to get good clean notes each time before considering changing strings. You could, however, change the E string. My old violin had Dominants on them but I replaced the E with a Pirastro Tonica and it worked ok. It really depends on the violinist! It has to be something you like. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I have dominants on my violin (coming from East Europe) and even many say that Dominat are ok I think that E and A have problems. I have to tune string A many times even if I play only for half an hour. I'm trying to understand if it is me playing very poorly or the strings. The G string sounds strange... more deep
thnx
jordan

[AmandaL]

Most beginners start with Dominants though their E string has somewhat of an infamous reputation for being extremely squeaky. =) Dominants are fine strings. I use Vision Titanium Solo strings and so far, they sound great! I aim to get a set of Pirazzi's when I get advanced enough. =) If you're a beginner, I'd say go for Dominants. It's more important to be able to get good clean notes each time before considering changing strings. You could, however, change the E string. My old violin had Dominants on them but I replaced the E with a Pirastro Tonica and it worked ok. It really depends on the violinist! It has to be something you like. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Comparing strings to playing standards is like comparing apples with oranges. They are two very different things.

A complete beginner violinist will make a pretty foul sound on any instrument, whatever strings it has.

I would agree that Dominants are a good all round string and will suit most players and most instruments, but putting a set of Pirazzi strings on an instrument when you are "advanced enough" is not a reason to use them. Every violin is different and Pirrazi strings are very modern high tensioned strings meaning they simply don't suit all violins. They can sometimes 'strangle' the tone of an instrument, rather than make it sound better. Using them as a benchmark of playing standard is not the correct way to approach stringing a violin. Be guided by eveness of tone and whether there are any hard notes or weak spots on the instrument - use strings which balance this out.

If it sounds right and the results are good, then use the strings that give those results - not a brand name or because you think your playing requires a particular string.

I have dominants on my violin (coming from East Europe) and even many say that Dominat are ok I think that E and A have problems. I have to tune string A many times even if I play only for half an hour. I'm trying to understand if it is me playing very poorly or the strings. The G string sounds strange... more deep

Are you really sure they are Dominant strings?? There are a lot of fake goods arriving from places like China. Packaged to look like the genuine article, they are in fact inferior copies.

[jordancollege]

Are you really sure they are Dominant strings?? There are a lot of fake goods arriving from places like China. Packaged to look like the genuine article, they are in fact inferior copies.
[/quote]

My violion came from Czechoslovakia and I have changed my strings (I changed the G one and my major (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) the others. They are original. The problem remain

[lottie]

I've heard Pirastro strings are meant to be good.

Does anybody use them and which 'model' do you use????

[earplugs]

I've heard Pirastro strings are meant to be good.

Does anybody use them and which 'model' do you use????

It's fun considering different types of strings and is all part of the enjoyment of learning a string instrument but it can get expensive trying out different sets. Your new instrument should come with a reasonable set which are good quality and suit the instrument. I would play on these for a few months then think if you need different ones when they need changing. Then at least you can ask "I have xyz and I think my violin sounds shrill/dark/etc. I would like it to be richer/warmer/brighter etc. what do people recommend?"

In answer to your question my daughter uses Pirastro Evah Pirazzi on her 'cello and loves them but they are the only ones she has had on that instrument so has nothing to compare them with and what suits an 11 year old with a 3/4 size 'cello isn't much guide to what will suit you and your violin.

But I don't want to spoil your enjoyment so here are some links you might like

http://www.pirastro.com/
http://www.thomastik-infeld.net/strings/index.html

string talk - but rather out of date now
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~leonid/violin_strings.htm

[lottie]

Hi, thanks for your reply earplugs (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I'm thinking about strings for my Dad's violin which I have on loan just now until my Gliga arrives. It's a very good violin, way out of my league, and I'm treating it with kid gloves because it's worth a lot of money. (My teacher's jaw dropped when she played it recently.)

However, Dad hasn't changed the strings in 20years (he's not been playing it) so it needs new ones! He doesn't know the current market so told me just to go ahead and get new strings for it and he'll change them. I'm just trying to work out what would be best because the violin is going to be put away again and hardly used unless I borrow it for concerts/exams.

[AmandaL]

I've heard Pirastro strings are meant to be good. Does anybody use them and which 'model' do you use????

Clearly nobody has taken in what I previously wrote about strings that suit the instrument, rather than going on the word of what someone else plays on. We all have our own ideals of the perfect sound and all violins are different, be guided by what sounds right to you on your violin.

Strings should be changed annually, at the very least, E strings more frequently. Certainly before they break. If one string breaks, change the entire set (unless it's the E string). You won't get anywhere near an even sound across the range if you've got one new string and the other three are six months old.

[lottie]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Sorry you're cross AmandaL

The problem is I have no experience of violins, no experience of strings, no experience of the differences between violins and strings and no idea what to buy out of lists and lists of strings!!

I can't afford to 'try' strings because I don't have that kind of money available, and don't know what would suit the instrument (because of lack of experience!) so I was really just looking for some advice about where to start!

The strings on Dad's violin do need changing so I am trying my best to find info about the right set to buy. The links that earplugs put up were very useful (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) and the descriptions of strings in online shops are helpful too.

[Andromeda_Aiken]

Yea, they should set up a string trying in violin shops so that customers can try the strings out instead of buying them and trying out. The worst part would be to find out that the string doesn't work. God...Amanda, what type of violins suit Pirazzis?

[earplugs]

Lottie

I would just go for a set of dominants from Thomastik. They are good value - not too expensive but generally good. I think they are relatively cheap because they sell so many. Probably set you back about £27 for a set bought online so if they end up not suiting you perfectly you haven't broken the bank. They seem to suit most people and most violins OK, lots of quite good players use them. I would expect some improvement over a set of 20 year old strings! At least you will then have a new set on the violin and know that any problem is not due to prehistoric strings. If, after getting used to them, you don't like something about them it will be easier for people to suggest what to do because you will be starting from a point that most people are familiar with.

There is a choice of E between wound and pure steel wire. I prefer the wound personally. Check whether you need ball or loop end on the E string by looking at the current strings. Choose medium guage.

Hope you approve of the advice AmandaL (only teasing).

Andromeda - there is a Luthier near me who does string trials for cellists. You can go there with your instrument and spend an hour or two trying all sorts of combinations to find which you like best. Cello strings are so expensive that you can easily end up trying a few hundred pounds worth of strings I should think. I don't know of anybody who offers a similar thing for violinists but there might be.

[Andromeda_Aiken]

I live in Singapore lol. You probably live in the UK yes?