Violinists are recommended to change violin strings often, as they do wear and tear after playing, but many do not know how to do it. Here is a step by step guide to replace your violin strings safely and correctly.
Before changing your violin strings, determine the types and brands of string you would like to replace with, and get them by your side before changing. Visit here to know more about violin strings.
Got your strings? Let's see how you can replace them...
Let's Start!
Remove your old string. Find the corresponding peg to the old string, and turn it towards you. Turn the peg until it is completely unwound, and pull the string out of the peg hole. At the ball end, pull the ball gently out of the tailpiece, or from a fine tuner to remove the whole string.
Get ready your new string. Now, take note. To insert a new string, we start from the end of the string ( the end with a ball or a loop, Not the end with a coloured wrap ). Insert the ball into the correct tailpiece hole, or the fine tuner.
Stretch out your string to the pegbox. Notice the peg which the old string is removed from. Find the hole of the peg, and insert the other end slowly into the peg hole.
While inserting, do not allow too much of the string end to come out of the other side of the peg. This may hinder the turning of the peg during violin tuning.
Turn the peg away from you after you change violin strings. Wrap the string neatly around the peg, side by side, and not over each other. While turning, check the string arrangement over the bridge. It should be over the groove of the bridge.
If the string has a small plastic tube, it will lie on the groove.
When the string is aligned properly, start to tighten the string by turning the peg away from you, and inwards too. This will prevent the peg from slipping when the string is tightened.
If peg does not stay in place after much turning, it is recommended to ask for professional help.
Check the tune of the string by plucking or playing it while you turn the peg, and make sure you do not tighten the string too much. You can learn to tune your violin here, using three simple methods.
Take Note!
There are some advices to note while you change violin strings...
If you are replacing a whole set of strings, Never unwind all your old strings all at once. This will cause the bridge to fall, and you may have difficulty putting it back later.
Changing of violin strings needs patience. Do not turn the peg too fastwhile tightening the new string. You may break the string accidentally, or damage the violin too.
After you change violin strings, do note that you may require repeated tunings to get the tune right. Some strings stabilise quickly while some strings require some time. You can check out the different types of violin strings here.
Anytime when you are not confident to change your violin strings, get a professional to do it for you.
Do not be afraid if you do break a string while turning the peg. Learn from the mistakes, and you will get better after more tries.
After you have successfully change a violin string, repeat the steps, and do take note of the minor details too. Let your strings rest and stretch, and tune your violin when you play it.
are recommended to change violin strings often, as they do wear and tear after playing, but many do not know how to do it. Here is a step by step guide to replace your violin strings safely and correctly.
