I snapped a string today, so did a bit of a search online to check how to change it. I was rather surprised to discover that most places recommended that you change strings every 4-6 months. Give the cost of them, do you think it's really necessary to change strings at least twice a year??

The sound definately does improve with new strings, especially if you put new ones on after not changing them for a long time, but personally I haven't changed mine more than once a year. If you're not playing as a profession then I would say you probably don't need to. It's up to you of course anyway. If you feel the strings quality have dropped and can afford to buy a new set then why not?

I'm no expert, but that's what I think

I'll be interested in the answer to this too. I suspect it's in part dependent how many hours a day you play.

A good cheap trick to get back the sound quality is to clean your strings. If you loosen the string quite a lot at the peg, so there is no tention, then get some cheap aftershave etc. and apply a little bit to a cloth. Then rub up and down the string (applying quite a bit of pressure) with the bit of the cloth with the aftershave on. Then do the same with the bit of the cloth without the aftershave on. Continue this swapping until no dark residue appears on the cloth and move onto the next string.

You'll find your sound should be a lot richer, and the strings both more resonant and responsive. Its the built up of sweat, rosin, dirt from you hands that hinders the oscilations of the string. Imagine holding one end of a skipping rope and your friend holding the other; its very easy to produce a nice wave pattern, and thats what your strings do when they're clean. Now imagine doing the same thing with a skipping rope with lots of wights attached to it, it will be much hared to produce a good wave pattern.

If your strings are old and starting to frey then get a new set. If one string has gone like you sat then aim for something top of the range if you can. If your other strings are still ok then clean them once you've taken them off and put them in the packets of your new strings and use them as spares. You'll find it harder to fit (becasue the top of the string is bent), but the strings should still play well.

One word of warning - be carefull not to get any aftershave/perfume/string cleaner on the varnish of your instrment, becasue being alchohol based it can lift the varnish.

that sounds like a good trick. I might try that on mine!

I don't know what the technical answer is to this one but I tend to do a complete change for a really important exam or recital, just so I know the strings are going to be as good as possible. This roughly works out to once every 9 months. I play about 3 hours a day.

I agree with Charlie Cello. I have changed my strings recently, although I must admit the ones I had on there were getting on for a couple of years old - as I didn't have anything special coming up and was trying to save a bit of cash! I would say it depends on your standard and how much you are playing/practising (also on the state of your bank account obviously!) Very interested in the cleaning thing though - might give that a whirl on the old strings I took off!.....

I change my strings before every examination...is that too little?