ALL ABOUT VIOLIN STRINGS!

All strings and all violins are different. All strings create different sounds and all violins
create different sounds. Put certain combos together and you can create a myriad of
tonal sounds.

Hopefully this video will shed light on the strings, types of strings and what they do and
what effects you can achieve with them.

3 Types of strings - Gut, Steel Synthetic

Synthetic strings are by far the most popular and can create a wide variety of tones.

Gut strings are wonderful strings, but a pain inn the ass as you have to constantly tune
them. I tend to stay away from them in the summer.

Steel are generally used for specialised uses - more about that soon…

GUT: For centuries, all musical strings were made of pure sheep gut -- not cat gut.

Gut strings are known for having a warm, rich sound with many complex overtones. Gut
strings tend to take longer to stretch than synthetics, and once stretched they are
generally stable but can react to changing weather conditions and generally require more
tuning than synthetic core strings. 

Different string gauges for gut strings can change the quality and power of tone
drastically. Usually a smaller gauge gut string will have less carrying power and be rather
'bright' sounding, whereas a thicker gauge gut string will be more powerful, gritty and
with a higher string tension. Musicians playing Baroque or early music often prefer gut
strings for the sound.

STEEL: steel strings tend to be more popular than gut among non-classical players.

I generally think of D’Addario when I say steel strings.

Strings made of steel core have a direct, clear sound, and few overtones.

They are much more stable in pitch than gut, last longer and are very bright sounding.

SYNTHETIC: were invented about 50 years ago when Thomastik-Infeld began producing
Dominant strings, made from nylon perlon. Since then, different manufacturers have
created many new brands of synthetic strings using other high-tech nylons and
composite materials.

Synthetic Core strings have the warm sound qualities of gut, but are much more stable
pitch.

Violin lessons 1-30 www.amsmusicshop.com Alison M. Sparrow 2019

 Violin String Gauges (width) and Tension

These two do go hand in hand, but should not be confused with each other.

Gauge: With a thin string (sometimes called “weich” or “dolce”), you will get a 'brighter'
sound with less carrying power as the tension is lower.

With a thick string (“stark,” “forte”) and a higher tension, you will get more volume and
more centre to the tone making it darker, but the response will be slower.

Tension: there can be 5 tensions available; extra low, low, medium, high and extra high.

Gut strings tend to be lower in tension, and therefore feel more pliable under the fingers.

The strings are easier to press down and you can feel them roll.

Synthetic-core strings tend to have a higher tension than gut-core strings.

Steel-core strings tune up to a higher tension better than any other types.

When starting out and experimenting with strings, I would always recommend just going
with medium tension - unless you want them for a very specific reason, or you have a
specific violin with a certain sound/tone in mind.

Higher tensions on some violins can actually ‘choke’ the sound.

The E String!

Finding the right E string for your violin can be like finding the perfect pair of jeans!

Whilst you won’t go far wrong with buying a complete set and using that, you can always
do better with an independent E string. It’s worth experimenting and E strings in general,
are not expensive to buy.

Finding the right E can completely change the tone of your violin - especially since the E
is the highest tone, and can sound shrill in the higher registers.

I can personally recommend Pirastro Gold Label E as its bright but warm and lets the E
breathe in the higher registers for a clean and clear tone.

However Hill and Westminster do only E strings, so they might be worth a try…

Choosing Your Strings!

Before you begin experimenting, you may want to answer a few questions about your
current sound. What is your instrument’s characteristic sound? What strings you are using
now? What sound do you want to hear…or not hear?

Once you’ve addressed these questions, you can use the following guide to get the
sound you’re seeking.

Violin lessons 1-30 www.amsmusicshop.com Alison M. Sparrow 2019

If your violin is too bright: you may want a string that has darker, warmer characteristics.
You may want to try something with a synthetic core, like Pirastro’s Obligato or Violino, or
the Aricore brand, or Thomastik’s Infeld Red or Vision Solo strings.

If you want gut-core strings: consider Pirastro Eudoxa. Pirastro’s popular Evah Pirazzi
strings are more brilliant than these others, but still have some warmth compared to the
more brilliant strings. Not a personal fan of Evahs…

If you are on a budget: try D’Addario Pro-Arté or Super Sensitive Octava strings. While
lacking in complexity and character of tone, these can be useful on inexpensive student
instruments. If your violin is bright to the point of sounding shrill, a low-tension string, like
Larsen Tzigane, may tone down a harsh-sounding instrument. Pirastro Tonicas will give
any student violin a clean, clear and almost bright sounding tone.

If your violin is too dark; you may benefit from a brilliant string, like Thomastik’s Vision,
Infeld Blue, or Dominant strings, or Pirastro’s Tonica or Wondertone Solo. Gut-string fans
may want to look at the new Pirastro Passione Solo or the Olive. If steel-core strings are
your preference, try D’Addario’s stranded steel-core Helicores - although I would reserve
those for electric violins only, in my opinion.

If your violin is unclear or unfocused; light-gauge versions of the brilliant strings that
can help an instrument that’s too dark or dull will usually help focus an instrument with a
mushy core sound. Different strings don’t seem to offer much volume difference, but you
can perceive brilliant, focused strings as sounding louder under the ear and they may
project better.

Should I Mix My Strings?

Some will say yes to this and some no. For me, Im all for yes! I used to think not, but now
I do think you should and can.

Back in the day, a lot of violinist used to have the same brand for the G, D and A, and
something different for the E. Dominants and a Gold Label E were a popular combination,
but now, since there are so many different brands and types on the market, its much
easier to experiment and get an even better tone and sound based on your violin and
preference.

In theory, no one string should stand out above the others, but there is no right or wrong
to this.

You would want all 4 to be balanced - ideally.

If your violin is unbalanced, then I would advise taking it to a luthier first as it might be a
sound post issue, or bridge, or string action etc.

Violin lessons 1-30 www.amsmusicshop.com Alison M. Sparrow 2019

Then, if you still feel unbalanced, try a different gauge on the offending string.

Bear in mind and different gauges and tensions may affect the balance of the other
strings.

At the end of the day, choosing strings can be very complex, and you may wonder: what’s
the best string or combination of strings? The answer is that there is no best string—
there’s only the best string for you and your instrument, so consider your needs and
examine your options.

Hopefully this video has helped you understand a little more on what you are looking at
when you go to choose a string.

And remember, I cannot offer suggestions for your violin as I would be unfamiliar with it or
even know what your tastes or preferences are.

All I can recommend is that you go and experiment…!

Violin lessons 1-30 www.amsmusicshop.com Alison M. Sparrow 2019