Questions tagged [strings]
Flexible material that provides vibrations in string instruments
489
questions
15
votes
8
answers
3k
views
Violin - Can double stops be played when the strings are not next to each other?
Suppose I wanted to play a double stop on the violin. The double stop played the G string and the A string simultaneously. Is this possible? Can you play a double stop on two non-adjacent strings?
Dom♦
- 47.4k
1
vote
2
answers
2k
views
Violin - How to keep fingers from touching other string when playing double stops
I am new to double stops. When I play a double stop where a finger is on a string while playing an open string (1st finger on the D string and open A string), my finger touches the open string, in ...
Dom♦
- 47.4k
7
votes
2
answers
9k
views
Are there any plain nylon bass strings for classical guitar?
I was checking out some classical guitars at a store today and was surprised to find out that only the treble strings are plain nylon, while the bass strings are nylon wound with bronze or silver.
...
CommunityBot
- 1
2
votes
2
answers
766
views
I know these are sixteenth sextuplets, but I was wondering what these are called when they share the same staff? And how they're played?
I am trying to figure out what they are, I've searched on YouTube but I don't think I have the correct keywords to find out what I'm looking for... Are they played like double stops or played ...
CommunityBot
- 1
12
votes
2
answers
8k
views
What is the proper way to notate the end of a section played "sul ponticello"?
That is, what is the standard way to tell a string player to play normally again?
CommunityBot
- 1
13
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Stringing alternatives on classical guitar (headstock)
While looking at several images of classical guitar headstocks, I noticed that there seem to be several ways people wind their strings on the capstans.
I have always used the variant where I wind the ...
- 15.9k
8
votes
2
answers
808
views
Historically informed performance - Tuning
I recently attended a performance of Beethoven's Violin Concerto by Nicola Benedetti and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under Marin Alsop. At the end, Nicola played an encore: a version of ...
- 7
7
votes
6
answers
5k
views
String bending pain doesn't go away
I have been playing the guitar since 2006, so I'm not new to the activity, and I have caluses.
I started playing Flamenco on a nylon strings and in 2013 moved to play Surf on a stratocaster.
A couple ...
- 21
11
votes
3
answers
4k
views
What interval should frets be placed for the Tar (Persian Lute)?
I have recently come into possession of a Tar.
But I have no idea how to place the frets on this instrument, which are made of gut (feels a bit like twine) tied around the neck. How do I determine ...
- 43
3
votes
1
answer
144
views
Piano oscillation on a single string
Why is that when the hammer hits only one string on the piano, there is an oscillation and not a solid note throughout. I hear it like a wave of sound, not an absolute pitch. It doesn’t happen on ...
- 190k
2
votes
0
answers
49
views
Silk classical guitar string gauge is too big for bridge holes
My classical guitar has a plastic bridge with pre-drilled or precast holes gauged for standard nylon classical strings.
I got some silk strings which are a bit higher gauge and don’t all fit by just ...
CommunityBot
- 1
8
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Do first violins take precedence over second violins for the main melody or the higher pitched part?
I know that in general within an orchestra, if the violins hold the melody it's usually the first violins which play the main melody and the second violins act as a support to them, but if the main ...
- 147
4
votes
4
answers
1k
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
1
vote
1
answer
7k
views
Playing guitar with two identical strings
This is probably gonna sound a bit weird, but I'm stuck at my folks' place for the weekend with a guitar that the first two string are both B (no idea how that happened).
I'd still like to play it ...
- 1
14
votes
10
answers
15k
views
Do I need to replace very old strings of my guitar if I just start learning?
I found an old acoustic guitar and am thinking of starting to learn it (as a complete beginner). The guitar still has steel strings on it. These must be very old, I think, twelve years at least if not ...
- 1,924
4
votes
2
answers
346
views
What is the earliest we know wire-strung instruments to have existed?
What is the earliest we know wire-strung instruments to have existed? I was reading about gut strings, nylon strings, wire strings used on guitar, and wanted to know, but couldn't find the answer ...
CommunityBot
- 1
2
votes
6
answers
14k
views
Lightest gauge strings for a 12-string acoustic?
I recently purchased a 12-string acoustic guitar. I've played guitar for 40-odd years, being very familiar with 6-string acoustics AND electrics and I also have played many a 12-string, both electric ...
CommunityBot
- 1
3
votes
1
answer
159
views
"Minor arpeggio secret" and the undertone series
I was recently introduced to a "trick" sometimes known as the "minor arpeggio secret". It can be summarized as following:
If we can maintain the same tension while plucking twice, ...
- 82.4k
2
votes
4
answers
205
views
How difficult is this violin part?
I understand that the difficulty of a passage is quite subjective, but all the same I need to have some idea of what I'm asking. This passage looks OK to me. It sits in the middle of the register, ...
- 418
1
vote
2
answers
137
views
In the FL studio for doing a chicken pickin' how can I add a mute note to the piano roll?
In this video, he says he mutes a string; for creating a sound like that in a piano roll in the FL studio, what should I do?
I was using Ploc2, and I changed multiple settings, but I couldn't make a ...
- 57
0
votes
3
answers
325
views
Safe to remove ball from end of ball end string?
I (sort of) recently got a new violin and as the tailpiece does not match my earlier rental I now have a mismatched ball end E string from my extra set. Looking at the string it definitely seems like ...
- 31
4
votes
8
answers
30k
views
Uneven volume of guitar strings when plugged in
Ive been facing some issues when recording with my Ibanez GRG 170DX. I noticed this recently, as I got a Scarlett Solo interface. When I record my guitar, the input volume from the lower E string is ...
1
vote
3
answers
610
views
Cello: playing D notes on A-string vs. D string [duplicate]
I'm a beginner to cello. On some cello cheat sheets. You can play the
D note on A-string by holding down two fingers (in first position)
But you can also play the D note on the D-string without ...
- 190k
4
votes
6
answers
573
views
Bowed single string instrument with lever?
Ok, so, imagine you had a one-stringed violin, except that rather than press your fingers on the string, you used a lever, kinda like a whammy bar. Does anybody know of such an instrument? Otherwise,...
- 361
2
votes
1
answer
164
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 ...
- 12.2k
7
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Storing unused guitar strings
I was going to change the strings on my guitar today with older string packs that I haven't completely used and a new pack. Since the low E, A, D, and G rarely break I have an excess supply of them ...
- 84k
2
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Electric guitar pickup not picking up a specific string
Just string an old guitar with Fender's pure nickel wound 009 gauge. I don't have any prior knowledge whether the pickup is faulty or not. The issue is the B string not picked up by the guitar pickup. ...
0
votes
3
answers
85
views
Magnets and pickups (guitar)
My partner and I are working on a small, analog device that would attach to the strings. We're thinking that for simplicity of design, attaching the pieces using magnets would be most elegant. However,...
- 18.7k
1
vote
3
answers
362
views
In terms of sound, what are the advantages of a steel or nylon string?
I first picked up a guitar when I was about 7. Ever since I've been playing it, and I even performed a solo at a concert (Little Rover, by the stupendium!) I have 3 guitars, all acoustic. One hasn't ...
- 15.9k
4
votes
2
answers
182
views
Does changing acoustic guitar strings require a re-setup?
I'm currently using D'Addario EZ920 (0.12-0.54) and I'm planning to change to D'Addario EJ16 (0.12-0.53) which is slightly lighter. I'm wondering if this will affect the intonation and needs ...
- 25k
9
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Drawbacks to using fine tuners on all violin strings?
I almost never see violins with a fine-tuner on any but the E string.
Is there any drawback to placing and using fine tuners on lower strings? (Other than the need to use strings with loop ends.)
- 11.3k
2
votes
2
answers
422
views
String gauge for baritone ukulele
I own a baritone ukulele that I tune (lowest pitch to highest) C-G-B-D [plectrum tuning]. The lowest string, the C, is missing. I would like to order the proper string to replace it. I believe it ...
10
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Do pianos have a generally recognized "bass register"?
Playing the piano, I've noticed the notes under a certain note seem to be voiced more for heavy chords instead of melodies/countermelodies. If you try to play complicated lines under that note, They ...
- 948
10
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Mysterious plastic tube arriving with double bass strings
New double bass strings may include a short and thin (about 1 centimeter long) section of a plastic tube. It's the D string which goes through the tube. What is it, the tube? What is one supposed ...
- 539
6
votes
2
answers
551
views
What's the highest note on a piano that uses 1 string?
What's the highest note on a piano that uses one string? (The note where the scale design crosses over from using 1 to 2 strings.)
- 12.4k
2
votes
2
answers
3k
views
G, B, E strings buzzing?
While playing any chord that involves the G, B, and E strings on my acoustic I get a very noticeable buzz. Open, they're fine. I'm pressing down as hard as I can using my fingertips but nothing is ...
- 1
5
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Strings for my guitar - I'm supposed to tie a knot, but they have a loop
I'm a new guitar player and found an old acoustic guitar in the attic which had rusty strings.
I bought some Elixir Phosphor bronze acoustic strings, but now that I have received them I'm kinda ...
- 5,620
17
votes
7
answers
30k
views
Playing Classical Guitar Pieces on a Steel-String Guitar
I'm an acoustic guitar player but have recently developed an interest in classical guitar.
I'm not quite at liberty to buy a classical guitar (with nylon strings and what not) and the stool thingy, ...
- 82.4k
14
votes
5
answers
5k
views
Can a 24-year-old learn to play violin/viola proficiently?
I've seen a few of these questions asked, but it seems like most of the students to be where just starting out in music. They didn't have limber fingers, couldn't read notes. That's not a bad thing ...
- 4,568
12
votes
13
answers
32k
views
What electric guitar strings are the most rust-resistant?
I constantly have to return to the music store with the same problem: My strings keep rusting within a day of playing.
I used Ernie Ball and the first four strings rusted on me, then I tried d'...
- 82.4k
8
votes
6
answers
52k
views
Upgrading from 0.009 to 0.010 string gauge. Do I have to do a guitar setup?
I usually use the lightest gauge d'Addario's. And I've been thinking about trying out slinky 10 gauge strings on my guitar.
I understand the differences in sound and playability about installing ...
- 12.4k
3
votes
4
answers
767
views
5th Fret Method of standard guitar tuning
I usually use some some of tuner to tune my guitar, but occasionally I will try to use the 5th fret method. In attempting to do so today, something puzzled me about the string setup on the guitar.
The ...
- 55k
0
votes
2
answers
151
views
Why are my guitars high strings playing more than one note
I recently got a new PRS SE Custom 24 before I left the store. I had the tech adjust the truss rod and check it, because when I fretted notes on the higher strings I could hear the next note a fret ...
- 791
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Why is the D string so loud compared the other strings on Violin (when doing pizzicato)?
I'm working on trying to play chords and such on a violin as if it were a guitar or another stringed instrument, but I noticed when I play chords (like the G chord), the open D note rings out and is ...
- 12.4k
3
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Why do flamenco guitar players use different tensions (gauges) for the bass and treble strings, "colored" treble strings, and a "special" 3rd string?
Looking close to flamenco strings sets, I've noticed that they use different tensions for the bass and treble strings. The bass strings are higher tension than the treble strings. Bass strings are ...
- 213
0
votes
0
answers
53
views
1st,2nd and 3rd string on my semi acoustic almost doesn’t sound through the system [duplicate]
I am a performer and have started going through a problem where my 1st,2nd and 3rd guitar string is sounding very low that it’s impossible to hear if they even exist when I’m playing on stage. I have ...
39
votes
15
answers
175k
views
Why shouldn't I put electric guitar strings on my acoustic guitar?
I've always found even the lightest acoustic (bronze) guitar strings to be a bit too heavy to play comfortably. Electric (nickel) guitar strings tend to be lighter. But nobody uses electric strings on ...
- 190k
3
votes
6
answers
20k
views
difficulties tuning C string on ukulele
I'm having some troubles trying to tune the C string on my ukulele (the biggest of all the 4). I happen to have no issues with the other ones, but this takes so much time to to be tuned and it won't ...
0
votes
2
answers
60
views
Restringing Acoustic guitar
I always have issues restringing the high E string. It breaks when tuning it. So today I used 2nd string as the first one and tuned it to High E, does it have a significant impact on tonality?
- 13.2k
1
vote
0
answers
119
views
When to use natural vs. artificial harmonics
I am working on the above homework assignment regarding string harmonics. I'm stuck on exercise #2. What are the rules or guidelines for determining whether a pitch should be played via a natural or ...
- 12.6k