Why Change Your Violin Strings?
If you’re an avid violin player, then you know how important it is to have strings that produce the best sound. Over time, even the best quality strings will lose their sound quality and become dull. Changing your violin strings is necessary to ensure that you have the best sound quality when you’re playing your instrument.
When to Change Violin Strings
The frequency of string changes mainly depends on how often you play your instrument. A general rule of thumb is to change strings every six to twelve months. However, you can also feel when the string has lost its tonal quality, become more challenging to tune, or feels rough to the touch.
Materials Needed for Changing Violin Strings
Before setting out to change your violin strings, you should have the following materials close at hand:
- A set of new strings that best suits your violin
- A peg winder
- Needle-nose pliers to cut the string ends
- A shoulder rest (optional)
Steps to Follow When Changing the Strings
Changing violin strings can be a daunting task, even for seasoned musicians. Below are the essential steps to follow:
- Loosen the tuning pegs of the string you want to change.
- Remove the current string and keep it aside.
- Insert the ball-end of the new string into the tailpiece slot, ensuring the string aligns with the bridge and tailpiece perfectly.
- Insert the other end of the string into the corresponding peg hole, leaving enough slack to wrap on the peg.
- Turn the peg towards you to wrap the string around and into the peg hole. Ensure that the string wraps from underneath to the top, ensuring that there is no crossing over of the string.
How to Maintain Your Strings’ Quality
To prolong your new strings’ lifespan, you should always ensure that your hands are clean when playing. Oils from your fingers can cause your strings to deteriorate faster. Additionally, ensure you store your violin in a cool, dry place, as high humidity can also cause strings to deteriorate.
