Types of Violin Strings

The key factor for a violin to produce those sweet and amazing music notes are the strings. Strings hold immense importance when it comes to the quality of sound a stringed instrument produces. Violin strings are more of personal preference as not all strings respond to the instrumentalist's bow in the same way.

Just as each violin is unique and different, so are its strings and the intensity of sound it produces. Moreover, the composition of string also determines its durability and its ability to be tuned. Once you learn to play the violin and understand the technicalities involved you will know which string suits your violin best and produces the desired notes.

Now, a thorough violinist changes his violin strings twice every year, so as not to comprise with the sound quality it produces. Hence, finding strings that suit your financial needs and enhances your music making skills is of utmost importance.

This Melodyful story is dedicated to the different types of violin strings available and a detailed information about each one of them.

Steel strings were introduced in the 19th century. They are usually the choice of fiddlers or beginners, and non classical players. These steel strings are likely to produce a thin metallic sound which would seem screechy for most classical players, hence they are generally not used by classical violin players.

Steel strings have a clear and bright sound, eliminating overtones. These strings stay in tune for the longest possible time as compared to the other strings and are considered as the most inexpensive ones. Hence, recommended for beginners.

Another reason for using steel strings is that it is stable and therefore, easy to learn the basics of playing a violin. The most popular and well-known brand for steel strings being SuperSensitive Red Label, Jargar, and D'Addario Helicore.

Gut core strings are the most used type of violin string amongst violinists. This is because, these strings are good at producing warm, rich sounds with complex overtones. Gut string is also soft and flexible under the fingers.

Now, one is not recommended to use this type of violin string unless you are well accustomed to the tuning and technicalities of playing a violin, as they are harder to tune and create an unstable pitch, which is difficult to control. Hence, usually preferred by professionals.

Although the gut strings are the best as compared to other strings, they have certain drawbacks like they have an unfavorable response to climatic changes and humidity, which demands more frequent tuning than before.

Plus these strings require at least a week's time to stretch out, before maintaining the tuning stability and cost thrice as much as steel strings. The most popular brand in this league is Pirastro Eudoxa.

Synthetic strings were introduced in the 1970s; now known as Dominants, made from nylon-perlon. These type of violin strings possess all the qualities of a gut core string but, waives off the disadvantages associated with them.

They stretch and stabilize quickly maintaining the tuning stability and is also not affected due to the changes in weather conditions. The innovation of these type of strings has really revolutionized the way violins sound and the use of which is not restricted to professionals only.

In fact most of the violin players are seen using synthetic strings, whatever genre of music they play. They are fairly priced and possess a warm and rich sound quality, but with a more stable pitch quality. The brands worth mentioning in synthetic string league are Dominants, Thomastik Vision, Obligato and Larsen Tzigane.

All said and done, but the violin player himself is the best person to decide what violin strings suit his violin the best and what represents the genre of music he plays. In case you are confused about which of the above strings are apt, consult your teacher for the most advisable strings you must use.

Remember, the strings play an important role in enhancing the overall violin playing experience!