Heard lots of stories over the years, but can anyone tell me exactly what will/could happen if you tune a violin without a soundpost up to pitch?

Sorry for my ignorance.x

A quick internet search suggests that it'll sound rubbish and could damage the instrument.

Babybird is right - the sound would be rubbish and there's a slight chance that the belly may give way under the pressure of the strings.

I'll explain a bit! I've had 2 new learners for group lessons turn up without soundposts. sending them back with a note to the parents (2 different familys) doesn't seem to have worked and I daren't tune them up in case I damage them.
Neither is from a shop, both belonged previously to other members of the family years back and have been fished out of the loft.

Advice needed on how to convince the familys to fix 'em up!!

Tell them straight that the violins are not suitable to be played and give them the contact details for a local luthier or violin shop for them to get the soundpost fitted. Explain that if they do not want to get a soundpodt fitted they will need to purchase a new violin for their son/daughter and suggest some suitable models (with prices so they can see that a new soundpost is the cheaper option). It is possible that the parents don't know what a soundpost is or how to go about getting one fitted.

I need to ask, "Are you a violin teacher"?

Even though it will be cheaper, it may not be better value, if the violin is rubbish.

Yes!

Why the need to ask??

I know, but my thinking (which I hadn't written!) was that if the violin was rubbish and not worth setting up then the luthier would hopefully tell them (most are pretty honest) and the parents might take this on board better than what the teacher says.

Thanks for your replies.
I know the sound is affected (although if you saw these violins...!)
I'm more worried about the potential of damage - I had heard about violins cracking or collapsing in and wanted to check my facts really.

Otherwise I forsee the senario where teacher tunes violin, violin crumples into firewood, parents bill teacher for new violin, teacher has to do runner....x

Bit of an unnecessary question?

The stories you have heard are true...don't do it!

Consider this - if for any reason the soundpost falls down on a violin the recommended action is to loosen the strings immediately, then take to a luthier. Otherwise the belly is likely to crack.

The soundpost makes a huge difference to the sound and you can't judge a violin without it.

In the past I have tinkered a bit with violin making at evening classes and was amazed at the difference a good set up could make. I once bought a cheap case in a junk shop which contained a battered violin with no strings, bridge or soundpost. It was the case I wanted (an old English 'coffin' type) and just stuck the violin in a cupboard. Some years later I tried setting it up for a friend's daughter who was just moving to a full-size, and it came out a very good sounding instrument which saw her right through her school years.




I knew a piano teacher who couldn't remove a pencil from a grand piano! A bit extreme, but teachers aren't necessarily technicians.

Thanks MCM, yes that's exactly what I was always told, loosen the strings. As for the difference in sound, if you'd seen the state (and make) of both these violins, it wasn't really going to make much difference!!
I just needed to check my facts, reallly because in this particular school the parents are very short of cash and in this case not understanding why I seemed to be putting so much importance in a little stick of wood.

In answer to the other person's question:
Yes, I have been teaching for 25 years, most if my pupils get distinctions in grades 1-8 and have got many into music college.
No, I am not a luthier, therefore if uncertain I like to ask rather than make a mistake.
Hope that helps.

M.x

I inherited a student last year who did grades 1 and 2 on a violin which never had a soundpost!

Love it!
A little girl turned up at my door last night wanting adjusters put on her little violin. The neck 'wood' was so thin and hollow I thought I was going to put my thumb through it while tuning it up!