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Steven
I'm new at playing the violin and have no experience, but willing to learn how.
I had several difficulties putting strings on the violin because of the bridge is not glued, the pegs, etc. Really stress me out! I tuned G string correctly and it took me more than 2 hours to get it in tuned, but everytime I tried putting new strings and tuned the others, the G string will not be in tune (as well as the other strings). and of course, I broke them So I have to buy a new pack.
So I was just wondering if I go to guitar center and buy me a new pack of violin strings, will they be able to re string it and tune it for me? also, will the charge me?
thank you.
Answer
Hi Steven,
Since Guitar Center sells violins, I'm sure someone there would be able to put the strings on for you. Whether or not they would charge for it, I don't know.
A better bet would be to go to a string instrument repairman or string instrument shop (you can Google this). These are small shops that specialize in violins, violas and cellos and are run by one or two people. They would be able to string up your violin, but better yet, be happy to show you how to do it yourself.... the correct way.
Of course, if you do have a teacher, that would be your best resource, but since you say you're new at this, I figured you're not taking private lessons yet.
Putting on new strings and tuning a violin can have complications that are not apparent. Bridges are not glued to a violin. They are held in place by the tension the strings put on the bridge. This allows the bridge to be moved to different locations on the violin top in order to adjust the sound. Also not apparent is the soundpost which is a wooden dowel inside the violin that contacts the top and bottom of the violin. It's approximately located below the foot of the bridge on the E string side. This is also held in place by the tension of the strings. Like the bridge, it is not glued in place so that it may be moved to adjust the sound.
Now, if you remove all the strings from the violin, not only will your bridge fall down, but the soundpost may also fall down. You can get the bridge back up fairly easily, but in order to get the soundpost repositioned, you would need a special tool. This is where the violin repairperson comes in handy. If your soundpost has fallen down, I would recommend you go to the violin shop to get it repositioned before you put all your strings on. For one, without the soundpost, the violin will not sound right, but more importantly, if you put all your strings on, it might damage the violin top since it no longer has the support of the soundpost.
When I replace all 4 strings, I will do only one at a time while leaving the others on in order to maintain tension on the soundpost to avoid having it fall down. If your violin has no strings on it, but the soundpost is in position, then I would suggest stringing the A string first while positioning the bridge, but not tuning it to full tension just yet. String up the rest of the strings the same way. All the while check that the bridge is perpendicular to the top of the violin (actually it is the side of the bridge which is closest to the tailpiece which should be perpendicular. While you are winding the pegs, you'll find that as you tighten the strings, the bridge will start to lean toward the fingerboard.
About the bridge... The low side of the bridge is E string side. The bridge should be positioned so that all 4 strings are centered on the fingerboard, and that the feet of the bridge are in line with the notches in your f-holes.
You mentioned that when you added a string, your other strings would go out of tune. This is the nature of tuning a violin. Even if you have all 4 strings on, if one is badly out of tune low, and you tune it up, all the other strings will go slightly lower. Often you will have to tune all your strings multiple times before your violin is acceptably in tune.
Turning the pegs. There is a technique for this. You have to apply some pressure to push the peg into the pegbox while twisting the peg. If you are tuning with your violin in your lap, use one hand to twist the peg, and the other hand to pluck the string and to support the neck while pushing the peg into the pegbox. If you are tuning the violin under your chin, then you have to position your left hand in such a way that your thumb and one finger are twisting and another finger or two wrap around the opposite side of the pegbox so that you can squeeze the peg inwards while twisting the peg. It's a little hard to describe, but easier to see. Perhaps there is a Youtube video on this.
Sorry for the lengthy reply. I hope this was helpful
Good luck in your endeavor!
Hi Steven,
Since Guitar Center sells violins, I'm sure someone there would be able to put the strings on for you. Whether or not they would charge for it, I don't know.
A better bet would be to go to a string instrument repairman or string instrument shop (you can Google this). These are small shops that specialize in violins, violas and cellos and are run by one or two people. They would be able to string up your violin, but better yet, be happy to show you how to do it yourself.... the correct way.
Of course, if you do have a teacher, that would be your best resource, but since you say you're new at this, I figured you're not taking private lessons yet.
Putting on new strings and tuning a violin can have complications that are not apparent. Bridges are not glued to a violin. They are held in place by the tension the strings put on the bridge. This allows the bridge to be moved to different locations on the violin top in order to adjust the sound. Also not apparent is the soundpost which is a wooden dowel inside the violin that contacts the top and bottom of the violin. It's approximately located below the foot of the bridge on the E string side. This is also held in place by the tension of the strings. Like the bridge, it is not glued in place so that it may be moved to adjust the sound.
Now, if you remove all the strings from the violin, not only will your bridge fall down, but the soundpost may also fall down. You can get the bridge back up fairly easily, but in order to get the soundpost repositioned, you would need a special tool. This is where the violin repairperson comes in handy. If your soundpost has fallen down, I would recommend you go to the violin shop to get it repositioned before you put all your strings on. For one, without the soundpost, the violin will not sound right, but more importantly, if you put all your strings on, it might damage the violin top since it no longer has the support of the soundpost.
When I replace all 4 strings, I will do only one at a time while leaving the others on in order to maintain tension on the soundpost to avoid having it fall down. If your violin has no strings on it, but the soundpost is in position, then I would suggest stringing the A string first while positioning the bridge, but not tuning it to full tension just yet. String up the rest of the strings the same way. All the while check that the bridge is perpendicular to the top of the violin (actually it is the side of the bridge which is closest to the tailpiece which should be perpendicular. While you are winding the pegs, you'll find that as you tighten the strings, the bridge will start to lean toward the fingerboard.
About the bridge... The low side of the bridge is E string side. The bridge should be positioned so that all 4 strings are centered on the fingerboard, and that the feet of the bridge are in line with the notches in your f-holes.
You mentioned that when you added a string, your other strings would go out of tune. This is the nature of tuning a violin. Even if you have all 4 strings on, if one is badly out of tune low, and you tune it up, all the other strings will go slightly lower. Often you will have to tune all your strings multiple times before your violin is acceptably in tune.
Turning the pegs. There is a technique for this. You have to apply some pressure to push the peg into the pegbox while twisting the peg. If you are tuning with your violin in your lap, use one hand to twist the peg, and the other hand to pluck the string and to support the neck while pushing the peg into the pegbox. If you are tuning the violin under your chin, then you have to position your left hand in such a way that your thumb and one finger are twisting and another finger or two wrap around the opposite side of the pegbox so that you can squeeze the peg inwards while twisting the peg. It's a little hard to describe, but easier to see. Perhaps there is a Youtube video on this.
Sorry for the lengthy reply. I hope this was helpful
Good luck in your endeavor!
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