String Talking

String Talking

How to choose violin strings

It is a little known fact that to really have a great sounding violin, strings choice is essential. Seasoned professionals and experienced amateurs alike, violinists in the know can wield a wide variety of sounds from their instrument from something as small (and essential as we'll find) as careful string selection. In this article we'll delve into string selection and help you find out whats best for your desired tone.

You should consider a few types of strings when ordering. Here they are, along with some characteristics of each.

Gut strings - These are strings that the cores are actually made out of guts of animals. The initial type of string offered, these are normally utilized by period violinists and those focusing on early music. One of the most played gut strings around without doubt is called the pirastro eudoxa. It's popular for a reason folks, and we highly recommend this fine specimen of a gut string.

Synthetic Strings - Synthetic cores are known for being great at resonance and have a very long lifespan. An old standby favorite and likely the most played of this type are thomastik dominant strings, or the similarly popular pirastro evah pirazzi strings Both Thomastik and Pirastro are very visible in the violin world and have built up great reputations.

Steel core strings - These strings have the reputation of being strings for students. This is somewhat of an unfortunately and unkind, not to mention incorrect assumption as many skilled violin players prefer steel core, and probably as many as prefer synthetic or gut. The standard in steel core strings would have to be the super sensitive red label strings. These have been used by student violinists for ages and are popular amongst teachers for a reason.

It is important to identify what value the retailer is bringing to the transaction when selecting who to purchase your strings from. As violin strings are likely to be viewed a commodity by retailers, it's essential to look at how they enhaance the deal for you. Look to a violin forum with other players and see what stores they routinely buy from and can recommend to you.

To end, go out and talk to other people in the violin community and see what they recommend and can say about the individual string tonal qualities and be aware of these at your next purchase.

About the Author

A professional concert violinist for 12 years, Thomas Enhasens is a self proclaimed novice in violin playing but an expert in bad sounding violins.

If you tie a string to a cup, and the other end to another cup, And talk into it, Can you hear it?

I poked a hole into 2 cups and put strings in both and I talked, but I couldnt the other person didnt hear anything. Did I do it wrong? Or is the trick fake?
I changed it into metal cans but it didnt work, I didnt punch holes in them.Am I supposed to?

It's a real trick. The string must be tight and it works better with tin cans (the original way) than with cups. Try soup cans.

Keith Wyatt: Talkin' Blues #1 (String Bending)