How often should I change my strings
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- Опубліковано 31 лип 2024
- Master Violin Maker Olaf Grawert talks about How often to change strings, how to tell when you need new strings, and how to best look after your strings.
Be fully informed when you buy your next instrument. Get Olaf's free 7 essentials when buying an instrument report here: olafgrawertviolinstudio.com/7...
00:00 Intro
00:54 Signs that you need new strings
03:33 Making your strings last longer
07:35 Talking more strings and the 2 week string change
#myviolinmaker, #olafgrawertviolin
Website:
www.olafgrawertviolinstudio.com
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Olaf Grawert also features in some @TwoSetViolin videos
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I really have to thank TwoSet for exposing to me Olaf
Cus I really learned so much from this man
I know right. He's amazing
Same .
Picked up my violin from a new luthier for broken varnish only. He returned it to me with varnish repaired, bridge lowered, graphite in the bridge grooves and told me to change three of my strings (I didn't tell him how old my strings were but the one he didn't tell me to change was in fact a bit newer! otherwise identical, at least to me) and only charged me for the varnish. Constantly amazed by luthiers. I wish I were one
Also about the speed-changing test, I know someone who got into dental school after being asked to change his guitar strings on the Skype interview while being timed by admission tutors.
Apparently one of the CHEAPEST things we can do when our violins sound off is to change the strings!! Often times that's literally all it takes.
What does changing strings have to do with dentistry
WCGwkf fine motor skills are VERY IMPORTANT in dentistry.
@@brattingprincess I guess if you lose that it isn't good. I remember changing my brothers guitar strings when I was a little kid. Seems too simple of a test for me, threading a needle, or tying a knot on a fishing fly is probably harder lol
@@WCGwkf changing strings right and fast is hard.
Cello strings sooo expensive..... arghhh but I neeeeeeed them...
i agree... :(
Agreed. The c string on mine was $100. Thankfully I got the set for free
but you only need to change them every year minimum
@@checkersintherain SO EXPENSIVE OMG... but it creates lots of joy so worth :)
@@matthewardern5072 that's why I haven't put new strings on in almost ten years. Haha. But I totally agree that the price is worth it. I've only been getting my cello out recently because my four year old demands that I do because she wants to learn. So my ancient strings can stay on my cello and instead I'll rent a cello for her and get her lessons.
45 yrs as a violinist - the first thing I usually notice is that my harmonics aren’t true anymore. I can play the same note 4 times in a row, and it sounds different each time. Problem solved with fresh strings!
I think you are right Olaf, the more you know about your instrument, the better you understand it and the more you can get our of itby cooperating with it instead of fighting against it.
Disclosing 6 of the 7 telltale signs that your strings are worn is the luthier's equivalent of playing a C major scale up to the B.
I am a beginner and whatever you do and explain really helps. Thanks 😊
I love how Olaf just gets straight to the point. Super helpful!
I don't even play the violin......what am I doing here at 3 am ?
Maybe you could try. You might love it. ✌️♥️ Or maybe Cello. 🙂 There's many teachers on youtube too.
@@Kenji1685
.....
I play the piano
Twoset Circle same
@@tplec1487 Cool. One of my friends plays piano so it's fun to jam together, on the rare occasion we both of us have the time and in the same place.
I'm a twoset non musician fan and I just picked up my first violin last month... I love it you might want too😊
Growing up on guitar, I thought breaking a string was so scary. Then I got a violin. Nothing scares me anymore. You've got tension of a long sharp object snapping right by your face with a loud thud while you're intently listening to all the nuances of your playing. Not looking forward to the day I break an upright bass string.
See, this is the advantage of being half blind.
I always have eye protection!
I’ve never seen anyone break a bass string, is it even possible for a person to break them?
No, you won't snap a double bass string unless you thrive through by keep playing your metal-unfiled worn out old very painstaking strings or you are changing/winding your string way too fast/incorrectly...!
Imagine when you snap a double bass string during your playing is a very dangerous incident! You might get any part of your body serious injured because the string tension on a double bass is so much larger than a cello (of course much much more than a violin!)
So I will change the string AS SOON AS POSSIBLE when any metal layer of the strings kinda unfiled/unwind/loose because it is cutting into my flesh and it is a horrible experience to play on anymore! =O
3 months in, learning the violin thanks to TwoSet... Great advice Olaf. My tutor never told me any of this stuff though when I asked about rosining my bow, he said that at my level of practice, once a fortnight would be enough. Never thought about washing my hands though before I practice!! Remedying that tomorrow!
Olaf! The funniest channel on YT! You got me practicing like a madman! One day I'll be able to play something! Changed my E string today. What a glorious difference!!!
Always a pleasure watching your informative videos!! Thank you so much for all you do!
Thanks, Olaf
Thanks for the help the other day Olaf^^
I change my string when it breakes...SeemsGood
LOL my broke self couldn't agree more
Yup yup.
And what do you do when it accelerates?
physicsjeff I am not sure what you mean.
@@Boekoe12 Just a little joke. Braking is slowing down by applying the brakes. Breaking is becoming fractured, the correct spelling in this context.
Thank You so much for making your videos, your tips really help😄😊
Thank you Master
I haven’t changed my strings since I got my violin, like it was just never on my mind till this year. I got it like 4 years ago or smth, and my strings never even broke, so that made it even farther back in my mind. My strings are so dirty right now, but once we have to money we plan to get them changed
Thanks Brolaf
It’s like you knew I was asking myself that question.... thank you as always! As Hubert says, I‘ll do what Olaf tells me to do! 😉
Edit: so I did change the G and D string, and oh boy, what a difference in sound and did those old strings look worn.
Thanks, Olaf. 😀
I might start learning the violin soon. Your videos are soooo helpful. I'm glad I met you through TwoSet even if I live in Asia 😅
Thanks I totally need this
"imma eat less salt........ It's cheaper that way" that got me
I feel a better string player with each passing video
If you have the time, when you do the next string video, what’s the story behind the wire wound strings? When did that practice get started, was it originally done by hand or was it done by a machine? If a string is not wire wound is the sound of the string different? (My children were in the Suzuki program in the U.S.; Truthfully, I don’t play the violin, but am I am curious about the history , science and the construction techniques that you bring forth within your videos about the string instruments).
Helpful, thanks
A bit of silver polish on the tarnished silver wound strings (G & D) goes OK. ;) except it could mean they are very old nylon core strings on the instrument that would sound dead compared to new ones.
The A string being aluminium wound (usually) is also a string quite often most played on so can be first to wear too. Another sign, beside buzzes is double tones because the weight of the string (usually in first position) became somewhat less than the rest of the string & can vibrate at slightly different frequencies or can be out of pitch when trying to do double stopping, especially when a student keeps playing on an E string with some of the aluminium winding having come off (I don't know how they can keep playing on it at all like that). I really like the chrome wound E string for sound & durability, especially compared to gold plated E strings.
Speaking of salty hands, I had one young student come back after a short time where the aluminium A string was severely corroded & the E string rusted. I think I put a set of chrome wound steel strings on in the end (where the E string still would not last too long) in the hope he could get a reasonable length of playing time from them. Washing of the hands & talcum powder might have helped too (I had sweaty hands when young & used to try that).
The other frustrating thing when I used gut cored strings (Eudoxa) was opening up the case to find a limp string. I was so pleased when synthetic core strings came along.
Great video! Could you do the same kind of video on bow hair? How often too repair, signs it is time to do so, how to make it last longer, etc.
Best wishes
That's kind of like blackmail.. now I have to subscribe
thank you olaf ! my friend was using her strings for 2 years and she still wasen't going to change them :)
I just found u on UA-cam!! ❤️❤️👌👌🤗🤗🎻🎻
I absolutely love these I swear I was just wondering if I should be changing by d string
Number 6 for me, not because I played too much/hard but because I haven’t played in a long time and haven’t changed my strings in over 10 years 🤣
Your penultimate comment is what encouraged me to pick up the violin in almost a year!
I have learned so much in 3 weeks. How about talking about different string types in an upcoming video?
As you know different violins have different characters and a luthier's opinion is very prized!
Whatever you do, don't try & play on the cheap strings that often comes on new violins (from some general music stores etc). That is enough to turn off any beginner. A properly set up instrument with reasonable quality strings on it makes a big difference.
@Diana Lee My violin teacher suggested me, who play violin for fun (even if I have reached a good technical level), to use Dominant for G, D and A + Golden spiral for E. I tried that combination and... it works!
Keep playing and have fun :)
Anna Vagaggini Hu Depends on your violin ^^
My violin is a Vox Meister (VM309) and I played it for almost 7 years. It's like 300€, but I bought it for the half price (sorry for my English...). And your violin?
Anna Vagaggini Hu I mean that the way each violin tone color is will change what strings sound best.
I dunno what my violin is. It is around 1k Chinese workshop violin that has been specially made for my local luthier.
I have noticed vision strings are cheaper than dominant. I have used dominant for over 20 years, but saw vision had a good deal so I got a set.
Can you do a video about wolf notes please?!
Good idea
Hahaha Olaf you are so funny 😆
My A string is always the first one to show signs of some wear and tear.
Same, my A string snap the first
On my newbie rented violin after 2 weeks the coating on A came off around 1st finger position and it started to lose tuning really fast. G was really unresponsive and had dark spots, as had E too (talk about German precision... when I rented it the owner and his wife seemed really angry people and resentful they have to talk to me in English...). Changed all 3 to D'Addario Prelude. Quite cheap. Obviously A worked, I could suddenly make a sound on G, and E was pretty much same as old one. I need to replace myself to be able to make a decent sound on E especially. I like D it's so forgiving. :)
I tend to wipe off strings with a microfiber cloth I use to clean the violin too after each practice. I feel that the rosin doesn't really come off completely, cloth doesn't really 'slide' on the strings as it does in other places. Not sure if it's ok to use damp cloth or something like once a week or something to clean them better around playing area...
I think....when the 4th one snaps.....time for new strings!
Would you ever record a video about your life so far? Would interest me. Do you still visit Germany occasionally or do you have nothing to do with Germany? Greetings 😉
Is there a way to tell when a catgut string needs replacing (in advance)?
Thank you for all the tips Mr. Olaf!. All the strings I've ever had almost always broke at the nut now that you mention it. 🤔
I intentionally get durable strings. 😄 I've tried the tactic of going super cheap so I wouldn't care if they break often. However I have discovered that there is a "cheapness" lower limit, where it just sounds too horrible to play even to me a novice. I understand "too horrible" is subjective though. On the other hand I really like the sound of d'addario pro arte. Don't judge, I just like the sound and feel (but the C string is too mooshy). Unfortunately they break too easily, and on a cello, they are 100 USD. :(
It depends also of which strings..I find Thomastic Titanium lasting less..around 5,6 Weeks!for 4 hours playing every day..
Thats true my a always breaks first because the aluminum is gone
I would also say maybe keep something to dry your hands if you sweat doing performances. the sweat with coat the strings in oil making them muted and rusty (if they're steel)
I just put a g/d/a on Thomastik Dominant. The g is silver wound, other two aluminum wound. (Haven’t got an e yet)
What are your thoughts on these strings? I’m not sure I like how the hey sound but it may be my ear getting used to bright, new strings too. (Haven’t had new strings in forever) Old ones were Dominant also but I don’t remember what they sounded like new. My teacher many moons ago (I’m 48 now) always had me get Dominant so it’s what I got. I had gut once before my teacher & they were great but definitely not what she said we should be getting. I just need your opinion on good basic strings. Also, my g/d resonate and vibrate BEAUTIFULLY. The a not so much so I wondered is it possibly a “bad” new string? Or does a new a not vibrate that much? Thank you for any help!!
My violin says „conservatory“ behind the snail.
What does that mean?
Its a joh. Dvorak from budweis as it seems.
Thanks Olaf, I always learn a lot from your videos, and they are entertaining too! I have a kid who plays partial size and I have a question about strings. I’ve heard of teachers advising parents to buy strings that are available only in full sizes and cut them shorter. Is that even advisable? Wouldn’t it change the tension on the strings and also the pressure over the bridge? I’m curious.
You are right...
When you cut down strings they have too little tension... also smaller size strings are cheaper! So why buy more expensive strings and cut them down?
You are right...
When you cut down strings they have too little tension... also smaller size strings are cheaper! So why buy more expensive strings and cut them down?
@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker thanks for your reply! I would definitely stick to partial sizes.
how long is a piece of string
Just a few hours before this video was posted I was looking at my A string and thinking: That looks tarnished where the bow touches it. I think the winding is coming undone. Do I need to change it now? After some thought I picked up my phone and ordered a new string.
Perfect timing
Is it normal that the pegs wind back?
my a string is stripping and my e string is rusting. I’m not changing them yet, I simply just don’t have the money to do it. But once I get a job and my first pay, I’m gonna get myself new strings
haven’t changed em in almost a year lmao
My strings are practically dead I have rented the same violin for 3 or 4 years and it was pretty much brand when I first started renting and they haven’t been changed at all
Question, if you break your E string or your A is really tarnished, would you replace the SET or just the damaged ones? Keep the old non-damaged ones in your spares box.....
If the g and d are fine, just change the 2 strings...
i've rested my violin for almost 10years.
and this week when i actively watch ur channel i'm starting to look after my violin by myself. what i wanna ask, is it possible that strings still oK after resting for that long? bcause my first thought is want to replace all strings. 1st reason, it so hard to tune well bcause it always back out of tune after i tuning it in minutes.
my 2nd question is, is the peg Ok too? or i need to replace it to?
thx olaf, finally i come to luthier near my home.. so much to fix. :))
7:19 Me 😂
ya boy changed his strings recently and upgraded from school provided preludes to helicores
This reminds me that my e string is 13 years old...
So since you make violins, do u also make other orchestral string instruments like viola cello or just violin?
He's shown violas and cellos in his shop. I would like to see him do major repairs on a cello...
PrincessSixThirteen He has videos of major cello repair.
I would like to try a vertical viola once...
hi olaf i have a question. my violin strings are rusty but it still sounded good and still in good condition. Should i change it or not
It might not sound bad to your ear but when you get new strings you realise how much better they were.
Rust is reason #2 they're tarnished.
I'm sure you won't want the string snaps during any of your important event!
Rusty string definitely will snaps unpredictably!
Olaf when I got my bridge it was sloghtly leaning backwards (away from fingerboard) is this ok or should it always be perfectly straight. I know it shouldn't be leaning forward but its confusing because i got it from a luthier and if it was wrong wouldn't they have straightened it?
It should be around 90 degrees on the tailpiece side from the edge of the top-plate... it doesn't have to be totally exact.
I know of makers who fit the bridge with a slight lean towards the tailpiece... I have no idea what the theory behind that is...
Maybe watch my video on straightening the bridge to make sure it is right.
@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker Thank you Olaf.
Breaking is number one on my list. 😂😂😂😂😂
What does the graphite in the groove do?
It makes the strings move smoothly I think, when you're putting them on.
I play about an hour a month so my strings have been on my main violin for so many years I'm ashamed... 10 years? Omg. I really want to change my strings now, but I generally need to get to a luthier to consult about my violin
I think that quite possibly a lot of your viewers like myself have never been near a violin. I watch for the craftsmanship involved. When you were talking about the string construction a couple of close up pics would have been useful. Just to show I take notice of what you say, did you realise in this video just how often you held the violin by the hand patch?
I've heard some guitar players boil old strings in water and reuse them. Would it be ok to do with violin strings or other strings?
Rapea Sammakko a real bad idea for perlon, synthetic ones I’d say. Maybe you could with metal ones. I’ve never tried it so I can’t say if it works or not.
I’m a guitarist and violinist and this is the first time I hear about boiling strings.
warchal (string manufacturer) has a nice post WITH PICTURES about all the horrible things people do to their strings and how it affects the string with high resolution photos.
So yes! Olaf's method is best a microfiber cloth. I am unsure of what kinds to get so for now I will regularly wash a square from no longer used undergarments weekly. It literally never occurred to me to launder the square. Thanks again Olaf!
@@Asmr_kungfu I've heard of people doing it with guitar strings alright. It makes some kind of sense. The heat would mess with the temper of the steel in some small way. Or maybe reset some of the work hardening from being strung and played.
Whether it works in practice is another question. I've never tried so I can't say.
And I can't imagine how it would work even in theory on synthetic strings.
@@Asmr_kungfu It's more common with bass guitar because strings are much more expensive. People say it works well, I've never tried though.
Rosin on the strings is not a reason to replace them. Warchal (the string maker) says that the best way to remove rosin from a string is by scraping using a credit card, followed by wiping with a microfiber cloth. That treatment will not damage the winding. Don't use alcohol (for various reasons).
It depends on how long the rosin has been there... it can cake right through the string winding and make the string sound dull as well as no longer making it sound true.
So short term, not much effect, but longer term it does have an effect.
Okay, thanks so much Olaf!
No wonder my senior told me 'you should be happy when your strings break! =D' LOL
when I broke my higher G string of Zhongruan during my rehearsal class... (after hearing that Ray Chen change his E strings every 2 WEEKS??????! =O o.O >.
What is stripping? If you explained I didn't hear it.
I don’t think he did. What he means is that the metal winding is coming off the nylon core.
#AskOlafTheViolinMaker What shall I do if the closest luthier is far away (personaly he is like 250 km on a pretty bad road most of the way)
it depends what service you need
There is a moth flying around in your violin laboraty.
I've had the same strings on my cello since 2011, my violin has had the same strings since I bought it over 10 years ago so who knows how old they are, and my guitar has had the same strings since the 1980's...
My D string is sounding grindy and dull.
I wonder why violin strings (not to mention cello) are so much more expensive than guitar strings (even the fancy, "expensive" guitar strings are like $25... for a set).
More guitar players, more guitars, and economy of scale.
SECODNDDDOSIUHFOI TO LIKEEEE AND COMMENT YAYYY HI OLAFFF
Violin and cello strings are outrageously expensive compared to classical guitar strings. Ten times more expensive. Why is that?
might have something to do with supply and demand, theres probably a lot more guitarists buying new strings than there are violinists or cellists, and strings for orchestral instruments are pretty expensive to make. the different brands/types of orchestral strings are also super super specialized, and each string has a different sound and tone color theyre going for. for example, cellists might buy 1 or 2 strings (usually the lower two strings) from a brand that makes tungsten strings, and theyre super expensive (1 string for $150+) because the strings are made to produce a super specific tone quality. i hope that sorta answered your question :^)
What you say about fussing over sound quality and tonal color, size, feel, response, mixing string sets, etc. also applies to experienced classical guitarist who have an extraordinary range of strings to choose from at reasonable prices. While I'm not sure of this, I doubt there are many more dedicated classical guitarist than violinist and cellists (I am not talking about electric and steel string guitars.) So I don't accept your supply and demand rationale.
There seems to be extra finishing steps for orchestral strings, adding the loop on one end and wrapping that end with thread. But, it doesn't seem to me that should raise prices by an order of magnitude.
I use D'Addario Pro Arte high tension Dynacore Titanium strings on my guitars. These are $12 US for a full set of six (not four) and this is one of the more expensive sets. D'Addario also makes orchestral strings, maybe in the same factory so I just don't get the pricing.
Jeff Sweeney yeah, at first i read your comment wrong and thought you were talking about guitar strings in general, not just classical guitar, so youre right about the supply and demand reasoning not holding up haha. but it was just a guess, i have no clue why theyre so expensive 🤷🏼♀️ i wish i could give you a solid answer haha, im curious about this as well. i also use d’addario (kaplan) strings on my cello lol, i bought my set for around $150.
@@raypragman9559 has anyone tried guitar strings in place of the more expensive cello ones, and before y'all start in on me i am not an instrument maker, player or user, of any kind.
Mike Cothran what do you mean? like, putting guitar strings on a cello?
I...... only replace my violin strings when....... they .. break
The strings are so thin you think they are going to snap
Ling Ling changes strings 40 times a day.
Two set just got roasted
You don't understand how to clean metal well...
It is interesting the weird things I hear about rosin and how much or how little to put on and how to clean or not to clean the strings. Modern manufacturing/machining knowledge has not made it into the luthiers work shop ... and the entirety of strings music is suffering for it.
Would you care to enlighten us all? What's missing?
seeing as you seem far more knowledgable, go on, tell us what exactly is missing. there's a difference about cleaning metal,,, when it's on an instrument.
I just wanna know who the poor guy is who went in for new strings and got asked about his unhealthy salt eating practices was.