paulieaudiobloom Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Any violin players here? I've just started playing and have a couple of questions for the willing ;-) Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nessy Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Been playing since I was 8, might be able to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Mrs. WoT plays. Happy to pass questions on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTB Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Mrs PTB plays too. Happy to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirky Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Another violinist here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 I have a feeling that you lot are on the fiddle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulieaudiobloom Posted November 25, 2013 Author Share Posted November 25, 2013 Fantastic! Although there will probably be more many problems that I'll need help with, one in particular is driving me absolutely insane! I can't get a good sound from the E string! It's just coming out either really quiet or really scratchy. I've tried adjusting my bowing pressure and where I bow but can't can't get it right. Any tips would be great. I'm playing a £70 Stentor student thingy with steels btw :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 I have often been described as a 'vile inist'. There are a lot of things it could be, but I'd guess that you've used too much rosin and the quietness is because you're bowing that string gentler because it makes a scratchy noise. Give the strings a wipe and lay off the rosin for a little while would be my first inclination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulieaudiobloom Posted November 26, 2013 Author Share Posted November 26, 2013 Right oh. I'll have to say that I did get a little over excited with the rosin so maybe that's the problem. Cheers :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulieaudiobloom Posted November 26, 2013 Author Share Posted November 26, 2013 Ps if anyone has any good book or song recommendations I be happy to listen :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yanto Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 I would recommend taking the fiddle to a shop to check the set up. A decent set of strings will help the playability and tone as well. Dominants seem to work well with a wide variety of fiddles. E strings can be funny. Kaplan does a "non-whistling" E string that is wound rather than a single strand. I would also get a decent rosin. Just got rid of my old Art dark rosin which was too grainy and sticky and went for Laubach Gold-an absolute revelation. Much smoother and cleaner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulieaudiobloom Posted November 27, 2013 Author Share Posted November 27, 2013 Thanks Yanto. I'll certainly try a few of your suggestions :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 Mrs. WoT uses a Pirastro Tonica. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Rather than start a new thread I hope no one minds me asking a couple of basic questions here. I got my son a cheap violin (£50 off Amazon although I got it in the Black Friday deals for a lot,less) and neither he nor I have any clue about these things. Even setting the bridge up was a shock. Anyway, I managed to break the low string when tuning it up so need to get a new one. Rather than just 1 string I figured a new set might be in order, but have no idea what to get. Any recommendations on a new set for a beginner would be most welcome. The other, more embarrassing question is how on earth do you get any sound out of these things lol. I followed the instructions and spent about 20 mins rubbing the rosin on the bow but still it just seems to slide over the strings rather than grip them and make a noise. I am going to do some more research once we have a full set of stings but seeing as quite a few members here know what's what I thought I'd start off here. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oggiesnr Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 As far as strings are concerned, go to any decent music strings and ask for a set, they'll quote a range of prices and pick one in the middle. Personal preference is for D'Addario Preludes which run to about £15 a set which is towards the bottom end of the market for decent strings. Rosin is strange stuff and not all rosins are created equal. The traditional way for a first application was to crush some rosin onto a hard surface, take the frog off so the hair is all lose and work the hairs through the crushed rosin. I've only ever done this once, long ago, nowadays the following seems to be the norm. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8UsIwa-BhQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8UsIwa-BhQ[/url] Have fun Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShergoldSnickers Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 (edited) Not exactly a violin player here. I've had one tucked away for years now, but never got round to learning to play. Now it's time for it to go alas: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/225808-violin-c-j-gurnsey-dated-1929/"]Violin, C J Gurnsey, dated 1929[/url] I did manage to get some pizzicato notes out of it, but not having a bow proved a bit of a handicap really. I'd love this instrument to go to a home where it will get used. Proceeds to fund further improvements to it's big sister, [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/217463-matilda-is-back-home/page__view__findpost__p__2215416"]Matilda[/url]. Edited December 31, 2013 by ShergoldSnickers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted January 1, 2014 Share Posted January 1, 2014 [quote name='oggiesnr' timestamp='1388422617' post='2321810'] As far as strings are concerned, go to any decent music strings and ask for a set, they'll quote a range of prices and pick one in the middle. Personal preference is for D'Addario Preludes which run to about £15 a set which is towards the bottom end of the market for decent strings. Rosin is strange stuff and not all rosins are created equal. The traditional way for a first application was to crush some rosin onto a hard surface, take the frog off so the hair is all lose and work the hairs through the crushed rosin. I've only ever done this once, long ago, nowadays the following seems to be the norm. Have fun Steve [/quote] Cheers Steve, that's exactly what I'm after. I feel lost in all this. I never realised D'Addario made these strings, I'll definitely give them a try. That video will be a big help. I did notice the Rosin was very shiny and had a feeling it wasn't going on the bow as it should. I'll give that another go. The violin has been pretty much left alone over Christmas but it would be a shame if we didn't give it a chance I guess. My son has said he doesn't want lessons, he just wants to try it himself, so I'll get it all set up for him and see what happens. SS. Good luck with the sale. It does indeed seem a shame to keep something of that value just sitting around unplayed . That's my thinkng with basses, if I'm not using them then get rid of them if they are of a decent value. I keep a back up of of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oggiesnr Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 [quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1388577730' post='2323514'] My son has said he doesn't want lessons, he just wants to try it himself, so I'll get it all set up for him and see what happens. [/quote] In which make sure he checks out some of the youtube videos, especially on holding and using the bow. Also the Gstring tuner app for smartphone is his friend, set it to autotune and make sure he periodically checks the note he thinks he's playing against the tuner. I still use it on double bass when I'm practising scales, it's very easy to turn your ear off and not realise your intonation is drifting Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Thanks again Steve. That video you posted really helped, and we now have sound, although im not sure thats a good thing at the moment :-). Yep, youtube all the way for now. I have a Peterson stroboclip tuner that works very well for this sort of thing, at only 9 years old he doesn't have a phone yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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