Being a complete novice - tried to tune my violin as per a DVD (don't have teacher yet, but about to get one!), my pegs kept spinning back when trying to tune - needless to say tried again and again and again - same result going nowhere fast, till snap! yes you guessed the string snapped :angry

Now I've a violin with 2 strings snapped! can only get to a music shop on a saturday! this happened on tuesday and after I had the violin tuned & re stringed
last saturday - going to feel rather stupid again this saturday when I go into the shop again for the same thing again.

Any advice would be most welcome - please

Cheers, Paul

Hi Paul

You need to gently push then in as you turn them when you tune up. Always loosen the string and tune up to the note when you tune. If it is a big problem with slippy pegs, when you go to the music shop get some peg dope (looks like a lipstick) and put some on the pegs before you restring (have to take the peg right out to do this). It keeps then turning smoothly, stops them slipping AND (miraculously) sticking which can be equally as annoying.

Whe you put the strings on make sure that they wind from the centre of the pegbox to the outside.

AND if you have lost 2 strings already beware the soundpost doesn't fall over or bridge move out of position.

You could also consider a tailpiece with 4 fine tuners, it might help you to keep it tuned while you are learning.

Jane

Thanks Jane - will try and get some paste, sounds to good to be true -

Yes did notice the bridge move a little!!!! darn

Did try to go as gentle as possible and with patience as well (I'm a Dr, so do have patience!) anyway thanks for the advice

Cheers, Paul

Paul -

I am not, absolutely not, offering to teach you (I had quite enough of that a decade ago) but I will be happy to come over and sort your violin out if you like. We are quite nice really and I promise not to try to sell you anything

I am assuming you are in Liversedge. We are only in Bradley. We don't encourage visitors due to rooms overflowing with vast numbers of packing boxes, plus at present a litter of kittens and a number of loose rodents (don't ask, it is a nightmare here at the moment) but I will come out and rescue you with pleasure and show you how to tune the thing.

I assume you can see our website and that has our phone number on it.

Liz

Liz, Thanks ever so much for your very kind offer - I live in Leeds actually -
no I could'nt see your website, but I'll have a look.

To save you travelling just to tune my violin - I'll go into the music shop on saturday and get it done - but I really do appreicate your kind offer, its to know that such people are on the forum

Cheers, Paul

OK, you know where we are if you get stuck.

It does seem to me that if you are breaking strings you may be trying to overtune it. If you haven't got a reference point to tune it to, then it would be worth getting some pitch pipes or an electronic tuner.

Liz

...and as a medical doctor you also have..PATIENTS.

Students are very much like patients too - they come and ask for advice when they know they've got problems. In return, sorting the problems out needs PATIENCE from both myself and the student.

Fortunately though, unlike medical issues, violinistic problems don't have to go on waiting lists.

Ha Ha, quite true ! its still good know that such nice people are on the forum - also with sense of humour's (if there is such a word ?????)

Cheers, Paul

Quick message to Jane & to Liz - had a look at your website Liz, outstanding wish I had gone to you first! - Re the Pegs they were damaged,
but not by me I must add, so the violin is in for repair now!

I've got some Peg Paste now, so hopefully I should not have any more problems

Liz, once again thanks for your very kind offer to tune my violin and show me to do it - pity your not teaching any more I would be proud to have such a teacher as yourself.

Cheers Paul

That's kind of you to say so. What was wrong with the pegs??

Liz

Yes, what was wrong with them? I'd be interested to know.

According to the music shop where I go, they said that one of the pegs is misshaped (got my violin off the internet!, not that I blame that) - of course being a complete beginner I did'nt (would'nt) notice

Anyway its being sorted now thank goodness!

Cheers Paul

Hurrah!! So soon you will be back to playing

Jane

Yes, it does seem to have been a saga does'nt it!

Paul

yea
!!!!!!!! me too!!!!!!the pegs just kept going to it's original position...even thought i did press it in.....but this problem vanished as long as my teacher is tuning it..weird..

I know exactly what you mean! madding is'it

Paul