Questions tagged [strings]
Flexible material that provides vibrations in string instruments
464
questions
6
votes
1answer
374 views
Question about the abbreviation for 2 instruments in an orchestra score
I'm learning an orchestra score and I'm really new to that. I'm figuring out what instruments are included in this score, and I get most of them (correct me if there is any mistake). However, I'm ...
10
votes
3answers
812 views
How does string age affect intonation?
I had a recent issue with my high e string where the saddle was adjusted as short as possible but the twelfth fret was still very flat. I read online that a new set of strings may fix this, and that ...
1
vote
2answers
90 views
E-bass tuned correctly but E string too loose
I'm self-taught and new to bass, and I tuned my bass today (E-A-D-G, E being the lowest), but the E String seems a bit loose (It hits the neck sometimes, and I can bend it much further than the other ...
4
votes
3answers
130 views
Is it Ok to leave a guitar with a broken string?
Just broke the high E on my guitar and won't be able to get new strings for about 2 weeks. will leaving it as it is damage the guitar at all?
the guitar is an Ibanez rga42fm with a fixed bridge
All ...
3
votes
1answer
49 views
Fretting string is muted
I bought a ukulele recently and have tuned it using a tuner.But , I have a doubt.When I hold the 3rd fret 4th string for the C chord I am unable to hear the sound of the same string i.e it is muted , ...
3
votes
2answers
482 views
Best way to practice difficult runs
Runs are very common in music; a typical run is a sequence of quick, short, slurred (not always) notes that either ascend or descend and often involve multiple shifts.
The approaches
I've learned a ...
7
votes
1answer
73 views
How to approach the collé bowstroke?
This section is from the bottom of the second page of the First Movement of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. A specific bowstroke called collé is to be utilized in this section.
I am not a ...
1
vote
2answers
108 views
PRS SE245 with Thomastik Jazz Swing strings
I have a PRS SE 245 electric guitar and to be able to get more jazz sound I want to restring my guitar with Thomastik Jazz Swing JS112. Since this guitar is not a hollow body and its neck is shorter ...
0
votes
1answer
112 views
Installing Ball-End Nylon Strings on a Classical Guitar
I'm looking to install ball-end nylon strings on a classical guitar.
Which of these ways is the best in terms of tone and preserving the bridge?
The same way you install ball-end steel strings on a ...
0
votes
1answer
96 views
What does "Get a nice meaty tone! Go back to B. B, ya sausage! Not B flat!" mean? [closed]
teacher was playing too. His vibrato was steady and confident. Poppy
wavered, but kept going. She was game. He bellowed at her.
‘Scrub at it a bit more! Get a nice meaty tone! Go back to B. B, ya
...
3
votes
3answers
253 views
Guitar Strings have no magnetic properties
I stumbled into Fender copycat electric guitar strings in ebay. (They had Fender packing and print)The price was 1€ per set.Great! I found the most peculiar reason in my life for that price. Three ...
2
votes
2answers
95 views
How would you notate an extra long note for strings in a way which allows it to be bowed multiple times?
When composing for strings, sometimes I'd like to write a note which is a combination of very loud and very long—something that can't be played on one bow alone. If I write a long note with ties, ...
5
votes
3answers
939 views
Should guitar strings be evenly spaced?
I decided to learn how to play the guitar so I bought one which arrived yesterday. At first it seemed okay although it did take a while to tune. However, it constantly sounds a bit off compared to ...
5
votes
1answer
317 views
What is "Young's modulus", and how does it relate to guitar?
I've come across some posts that mention "Young's modulus" in relation to guitar.
Young's modulus is discussed on physics.SE (Young's Modulus and Vibrating String Harmonics), but I'm looking ...
3
votes
2answers
114 views
What is the correct string gauge for an Alvarez LJ2E acoustic guitar?
I am going to change the strings on this guitar for the first time. A google search brings up one website that says that it uses 13-56 strings, but this is not mentioned on the official Alvarez ...
8
votes
2answers
265 views
String advice for viola
I want to put new strings on my viola, as the current ones are more than five years old. I think the current ones are D'Addario Helicore for C, G and D, and Jargar medium for A (I tried to lookup the ...
3
votes
3answers
285 views
Floyd rose bridge leaning to the treble side
I've decided to change my strings on my guitar, and when I finally was done with setting up the springs to make the bridge parallel to the body, I wanted to make the action lower. I noticed that it ...
1
vote
1answer
61 views
Acoustic Steel: B String is E at 6th fret
Picked up my acoustic steel string after a bit and noticed that whilst it was in tune the B string's E was up at the 6th fret. It's annoying the heck out of me. I've restrung it and same.
Open B is ...
1
vote
2answers
87 views
Different types of string in one guitar
2 months ago, I bought D'Addario strings with specification:
80/20 bronze
EJ10
Extra light gauge 0.010-0.047
And then my G-string broke and I bought a new set
Phosphor bronze
EJ16
Light gauge 0.012-...
3
votes
4answers
333 views
How do you stop gunk from building up on guitar strings?
On a steel-string acoustic guitar, how do you prevent gunk from building up on the strings? Every time I play, the strings, particularly the B and E strings, will literally (okay maybe not literally) ...
1
vote
3answers
181 views
Broken violin string during solo. What normally happens?
I'm not a violinist but I've seen a couple of online videos where a soloist breaks a string. They go to the leader of the first violin section and come back with a replacement violin.
What exactly ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
Why won't the top three strings change pitch
I ended up breaking the high E string because using an electronic tuner and my ear, it clearly wasn't changing at all. Kept tightening the string and eventually it broke behind the nut. To look into ...
3
votes
2answers
445 views
What's the difference between rectified nylon strings and regular nylon strings?
Many nylon string manufacturers offer rectified nylon options, but what's the difference?
Is there a difference in tone, feel, durability, or intonation?
If there isn't, which other differences can ...
4
votes
3answers
374 views
How does changing a guitar string's tuning affect its timbre?
I'm not a guitar player, but have been reading some posts about alternative tunings. There are several mentions of how tuning a string up or down can change its timbre, but I haven't found anything ...
3
votes
1answer
116 views
How to write triads for strings?
There is something that I have noticed several times when writing chords for orchestral strings (violins, cellos, etc), when I write standard triad (major, minor, etc) chords the strings make an ...
2
votes
1answer
116 views
Is there such thing as a guitar string database? [closed]
I'm completely new to guitars and guitar accessories.
I read several articles on (everything, but this question pertains to) strings, and it strikes me that one might want to try a set of strings with ...
6
votes
1answer
129 views
Divisi in Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings
I am looking at the score for Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings op.48, Violins I section, and I can see that there are double-stops. It is not marked divisi, but I'm listening to some recordings and ...
5
votes
1answer
586 views
Does non-calibrated have a special meaning for guitar strings?
I'm puzzled by the following. It seems to imply that "non-calibrated" strings are a good idea.
Steinberger double-ball strings have, as the name suggests, string
balls at both ends of the ...
1
vote
1answer
175 views
A guitar or bass with precisely parallel strings (normal guitar strings fan out)
Background
Normal guitars have strings that fan out somewhat towards the bridge. There can be as much as a centimetre's overall difference between the width at the nut and the width at the bridge. I ...
10
votes
5answers
824 views
What is the relationship between where and how a vibrating string is activated?
My understanding is that each string on a musical instrument/chordophone has a "sweet spot", such that when a string is activated at that point, the "best" sound is produced.
...
1
vote
2answers
124 views
Will about 10 loose hairs in a violin bow make any difference when I use it?
It's something like the image above, just less loose hairss. While I was looking at it, I tried playing the violin, and some hairs got loose.
Do I just cut them off or yank them off? This little book ...
3
votes
1answer
198 views
Are all plain steel electric guitar strings the same, or are some more comfortable thanks to polishing or some other process?
It seems like the plain strings are just ignored. Manufacturers brag about their wound strings, make many different varieties. Yet, there's so little info on the steel strings other than they're ...
1
vote
2answers
563 views
Guitar strings too high off the fretboard
I have an issue whis this Yamaha acoustic guitar that i bought a year ago. The higher frets are really high up the frets as you can see in the picture which makes them really hard to press. Also as ...
3
votes
3answers
1k views
How far can 9's be tuned down?
Apologies if this question has been answered elsewhere, but before I commit to getting my guitars set-up, I was wondering if anyone has had any trouble using 9–42 tuned down a half-step (I currently ...
1
vote
1answer
69 views
Guitar Strings & Bridge
I've been playing guitar for about a year and until now I've always wanted to play on lower tunings. I have heavy gauge strings for these low tunings. I'm scared that tuning up to e standard and what ...
1
vote
2answers
187 views
What is the name of this bowing technique for strings?
https://www.vsl.co.at/en/Playing_Techniques-Right_Hand/Violin-Ricochet
It is basically playing all 4 strings consecutively creating an "undulation". HOWEVER, not in the staccato slurred ...
2
votes
1answer
177 views
How to remove a grand piano harp and keep the strings attached? [closed]
I am planning to turn my old piano into a table, using the cast iron plate/harp with the strings, sound board removed, as the bottom, covered with glass. I would like to keep the strings. Seeing as ...
3
votes
2answers
348 views
Best string gauges for guitars with magnetic sustainer devices
After decades of being a Tele guy, I decided to make a change away from hard-tail. I went all the way to an Ed O'Brien Strat with a Fernandes Sustainer system.
I'm still on the first set of strings, ...
1
vote
4answers
113 views
Broken string fixed but it still sounds off
My fourth string broke a few days back, and fortunately (?) the breakage was near the bridge so I was able to fix it without having to buy a new one. The thing is it's been almost a week and even ...
0
votes
1answer
1k views
Tuning peg tight on a guitar (possibly slipping, too)
So my guitar's G-string peg is feeling tight. I'm a newbie, but I think that the peg is slipping, since I can hear a click sound when I try tuning it up. The G string is now around 2 whole steps ...
5
votes
1answer
105 views
Nylon String Features [closed]
I hope this is allowed as I'm not asking for a specific product recommendation, but generically what I should be looking for.
I'm intending to restring my nylon guitar and would like to make an ...
8
votes
5answers
5k views
Would fishing wire work for strings on an electric guitar?
So, I was browsing the Internet and stumbled across this video of someone using fishing wire as string replacements. This seemed to be kind of a gag just to see if it was actually even possible, but ...
1
vote
1answer
60 views
Change a single string
Just a quick and probably stupid question, but...
Basically, I wanted to play music again after years and years of not doing it, so I pulled out that old charango I have.
The first string was ...
5
votes
1answer
123 views
what families of guitar strings (lower and upper) will give me differents sound timbres?
They are plenty kinds of guitar strings for my classical guitar : silver or titanium (or platinum ?) coated, crystal ones...
Some are for commercial attractiveness, some might increase longevity of ...
1
vote
0answers
79 views
Anyone know how to get Sibelius to playback pizzicato at a softer dynamic level without writing the dynamic ridiculously soft?
Sibelius playback of pizzicato is much louder than arco for strings. I end up making two copies of a score. One with the dynamics as they should be written for pizzicato for printing and another copy ...
2
votes
1answer
488 views
What does ‘Unis’ mean?
I’m reading through the study score for Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique. There’s an indication I am unsure of. They refer to the Strings section.
(unis.)
After a Google, I discovered
several players in a ...
5
votes
2answers
93 views
How to change the strings on my violin/viola?
It's time for a new set of strings. How do I change all the strings on my violin (or viola)? What are the gotchas I have to look out for?
1
vote
2answers
123 views
Striking open B & E (high) strings causes newly purchased classical guitar to resonate, flaw?
Just purchased my first classical guitar (Alhambra 10P) and I am learning to play.
I notice that if I strike the top two strings (B & e) then immediately mute them, the guitar's lower strings ...
6
votes
3answers
779 views
Tone Color Changed after Replacing a Piano Bass String
I have a very old piano. A few years ago, one of its bass strings broke. I removed that broken string and kept playing almost everyday for a few years. Last week my technician installed a new string ...
6
votes
1answer
471 views
Does the Thunderbird actually need special strings?
I just got myself a brand-new Epiphone Thunderbird bass. I tried to get some new strings along with it, but was told it needs special (extra-length) strings due to its fairly big headstock.
That seems ...