How Changing Violin Strings Make a Huge Difference in Your Performance

Buying a high-quality violin and violin bow is one thing, maintaining the instrument is another. When it comes to violin maintenance, properly storing it is not enough. In order to create great sounds from violins changing your strings must be done when needed. Apart from that, there are so many ways to help produce the right tunes and melodies when playing your stringed instrument. But let’s focus on how replacing your violin strings help achieve better performance.

Excellent Techniques to Optimize Violin Sounds

Violins are constructed to produce classical sounds. And with the right techniques to help you optimize tunes during practice, you can give your best performance every time you’re playing with the orchestra. However, you need a quality violin in order to get the right sound while providing greater musical ability.

Basically, violin teachers will guide you in developing your skills to improve your performance. But changing your strings can also enhance your musical skills. According to SoundHalo, if you’ve been using the same strings for nine straight months, it’s time you consider buying a new set of violin strings.

Wear and tear happen over time, and poor quality violin strings will diminish sound and tune quality. So the best way to avoid this is to change your strings whenever it gets worn out. Ideally, you need to change your strings every three, six, or nine months if you use your instrument daily.

Factors to Consider in Choosing Violin Strings

  • The type of string. The three basic types of violin strings are gut strings, steel core and synthetic core. Gut strings are a combination of sheep intestines with a bit of metal – two of the commonly used copper or silver. Due to its organic substance, this type is more vulnerable from the humid and change of weather. The steel core as an alternative, is more durable and weatherproof. The synthetic core, on the other hand, is the combination of the two.
  • String gauges and tension. The gauge of the string refers to the thickness of the strings, while the tension is the stretching force of the string. Choosing the string gauge and tension will always depend on the violin you own and may differ on the brand as well.
  • Musical preference. It is also essential to look after your musical preference before purchasing just any violin string as these variations produce different character of sounds.
  • Your ability. Unless you are a professional violinist, another thing you must consider in choosing violin strings is your ability and capability. This will always depend on how comfortable you are on applying bowing techniques on.
  • Some of the most common signs that you need to replace your violin strings are scratchy sounds, diminished sound quality, and difficulty in tuning. When you’re buying new strings, consider the brand with durability and professional quality. The right strings are easy to play and provide quality tunes for both beginners and intermediate players.

How to Change Violin Strings

The basics of changing violin strings are: removing the old string from the tailpiece, lubricating the tuning peg, nut and bridge, threading string into peg, winding the string, removing slack, and tuning.

Changing violin strings must be done one at a time. Removing all the strings all at once may make the soundpost fall and may do more harm than good to your instrument. It is best to start changing the broken strings first then checking its tune before proceeding to the other strings. Also make sure to wind the string the right way and avoid over tightening it.

Additional Tips to Improve Your Performance

Beginner students usually struggle with scratchy and sharp sounds due to lack of knowledge and skills. Once you develop the right techniques in playing your violin, you can achieve a flawless performance that your teacher will be proud of. It sure does take time to be good at what you do, so patience and effort are important.

If you don’t know how to change your strings, you can always seek professional advice from your instructor. Aside from worn out strings, there are other structural issues that you need to consider which may affect the sound quality of your instrument. Don’t worry because continuous practice and learning can help improve your performance as well as musical abilities. Daily practice and commitment can go a long way when it comes to becoming a professional violinist.

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