kreisler13 Posted May 25, 1999 Report Share Posted May 25, 1999 Lately, when I've been playing on the e string and in fifth position or higher,(starting above the harmonic) my violin sounds like it is breathing.(Like someone is exhaling after a long run) It is especially prevalent on long sustained notes, as one might play in the second movement of the Mendelssohn. It detracts power from the sound, and makes it sound tinny. At first, I thought it could have been me, but I gave it to my teacher to play, and it did ther same thing. My question is: is it the violin's fault, or is it the string. I am currently using Pirastro Olive goldstahl e. Thanks for the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Stancel Posted May 26, 1999 Report Share Posted May 26, 1999 Good evening: Possibly the fingerboard has developed a "lump" due to weather changes and/or age. Also check for a false "E" string. Wouldn't hurt to check for seam openings, loose fingerboard or the "E" string too deep into the bridge slot. Don't use the little sleeve tube that comes with the string. I hope you find the problem, Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Posted May 26, 1999 Report Share Posted May 26, 1999 I know it sounds silly and you're probably thinking I'm schizophrenic or something, but when I play one of my violins, an old German one, I could swear I hear people talking. Not words or anything, but just like a low mumbling like they'd be in the next room. Over time I've just got used to it, but sometimes I just have to stop and check there's no-one around.Maybe a past owner coming to check up on me? :-) Or maybe just something to do with the harmonics of the instrument.It's really off-putting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ciaccona Posted May 26, 1999 Report Share Posted May 26, 1999 Hi, why shouldn't one use the little sleeve tube that comes with the string? I've always used it without problems despite having a little vellum patch on my bridge (wait, I know, the vellum patch is no good either??!), and found that as long as it doesn't stick out very far (i.e. practically not at all) into the "swinging" part of the string, it still sounds great. On all of my past fiddles. By the way, thanks for your help with the rosin/varnish problem - it's fine now. I didn't know water could turn varnish white! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D Ellison Posted May 26, 1999 Report Share Posted May 26, 1999 Check the first few inches of the string (from nut end). The gold wears off those things fairly quickly, depending on how much you play and how much acid you have in your sweat/skin oils. I've never had one last more than a few weeks before it starts to sound pretty crappy - thin, tinny, etc. And Al's quite right. The little tube is rather superfluous. If you have a piece of vellum (or parchment, or whatever) you don't need the tube. Its primary function is to prevent the string from cutting into the wood. If you DO use it, and it isn't placed exactly right, it can play hell with your sound. D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Stancel Posted May 27, 1999 Report Share Posted May 27, 1999 Hello: You are right in that the string tube should not stick back into the viberating part of the string. If your vellum has a deep groove, the string tube is needed. However, the string tube will reduce response of the "E" string. Sometimes the tube will cause the "E" to whistle and not start immediately...especially when bowing from some note then to the open "E." I must admit that it doesn't make much difference on low grade student violins, but the better the instrument, the more difference it makes. Some instruments are so responsive that the string tube can be tolerated...as may be the case with your instrument...that is good! Cheers, Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurel Posted May 30, 1999 Report Share Posted May 30, 1999 : I know it sounds silly and you're probably thinking I'm schizophrenic or something, but when I play one of my violins, an old German one, I could swear I hear people talking. Not words or anything, but just like a low mumbling like they'd be in the next room. Over time I've just got used to it, but sometimes I just have to stop and check there's no-one around.Maybe a past owner coming to check up on me? :-) Or maybe just something to do with the harmonics of the instrument.It's really off-putting. Scary! With my violin, I'm always hearing the phone ring - our phone rings at the same pitch as E-string notes - so I'm always stopping to check if I heard the phone, or just some harmonics or something from the violin. Wouldn't that be lovely, if I stopped halfway through my exam to go answer the phone....! Thanks Laurel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
U. Arsolaim Posted June 1, 1999 Report Share Posted June 1, 1999 That is amazing because it seems like every time I picked up my two hundred year old Pekker violin it seems to be whispering something to me. It says "you suck, you suck, you suck." I couldn't figure out what it was until Bob (one of my other personalities) admitted that it was him... : : I know it sounds silly and you're probably thinking I'm schizophrenic or something, but when I play one of my violins, an old German one, I could swear I hear people talking. Not words or anything, but just like a low mumbling like they'd be in the next room. Over time I've just got used to it, but sometimes I just have to stop and check there's no-one around.Maybe a past owner coming to check up on me? :-) Or maybe just something to do with the harmonics of the instrument.It's really off-putting. : Scary! With my violin, I'm always hearing the phone ring - our phone rings at the same pitch as E-string notes - so I'm always stopping to check if I heard the phone, or just some harmonics or something from the violin. Wouldn't that be lovely, if I stopped halfway through my exam to go answer the phone....! : Thanks : Laurel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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