Categories
Practical Violin

Violin String Broke! Now What?

 

“OH NO!  While tuning the violin I snapped a string. Can I fix it? Or does it go back to the violin shop?”

No need to panic. We can fix this!  Click here to replace your snapped violin string.

Here are seven things you can do to prevent breaking strings prematurely and to minimize inconvenience when breaks occur:

1. As a violin parent, learn to tune the violin properly. The easiest way to break a string, especially an E string, is to tune it too high. Don’t ask your 5 year old student to perform this operation!

2. Before installing new strings, lubricate the 2 contact points at the bridge and nut of the violin with a small amount of pencil lead.

3. Be sure that your instrument has quality tuning pegs that operate smoothly. Pegs that slip make you tune the strings more frequently, adding stress and reducing their life.

4. When tuning, gradually raise the pitch of the string to the required note, but not more than a small amount above. On student violins, use the fine tuners to make small adjustments, in lieu of the tuning pegs, which can be more difficult to operate.

5. Use an electronic tuner when learning how to tune. Tuning by ear is risky, if you’re not trained in that approach.

6. Practice often, and tune at least once at the beginning of every practice session. A neglected violin is more likely to lose its tuning by a large amount.

7. Purchase quality strings that are correctly sized for your instrument. Keep a spare set in your case, and perhaps more than one spare on the E string.

Click here to visit my violin string website for complete instructions on how to replace your snapped violin strings.

By Bill Alpert

Bill Alpert is a performer, teacher and author with a unique focus on personal development and mindfulness viewed through the lens of violin study. Mr. Alpert's resume includes recordings, performances and film scores with artists such as The Moody Blues, Pepe Romero, Tina Turner and Johnny Mathis. The co-founder of the award winning Alpert Studio of Voice and Violin in California, he is professionally active in the American String Teachers Association and the Suzuki Association of America.

17 replies on “Violin String Broke! Now What?”

Thanks Mr. Alpert, for instantly replying to my panic email. My first reaction was to apologize to my 5- year old son because this time mommy messed up. Your write up here calmed me down and I’ll definitely know from now on not to adjust the strings too much or else! Off to Mr. B’s violin shop I go!

Oh no!!!!!!! I was tuning my violen when my string snapped! I don’t know what to do and I’m scared to tell my parents cause their low on money help meee!!!!

My friend keeps releasing the tuning of strings everyday after she is done with her practice.. When I asked her about it she told me her sir asked her to do so to prevent the strings from breaking.. I’ve never heard of this.. Is it true?

That would be terrible advice. Simply keep this strings up to the correct pitch. All of the tuning and retuning would be super hard on the strings, and even bridge of the instrument. Perhaps your friend is referring to the bow? Yes, loosen your bow when you’re not using it. That preserves the the health and curve of the bow stick.

By Post Author

OMG! My viola string broke and I don’t own it my music teacher does also I don’t know how to fix (or repair) a viola string. Please help me.

Well, check the video in this post; it shows you how to replace the string. Most important thing is: don’t panic! Strings break all the time; every player should know how to change a string. Now’s your chance to learn!

By Post Author

this was very helpful to me but i think they need to add where you can get the supplies and stuff and how much they cost

i am so confused, my violin was just fine and i tuned it to make it sound really high and it broke! please help!

I’ve broken two A strings while trying to tune my violin. What am I even doing wrong? Now I have to order another one because there isn’t a music store anywhere close to my town. It’s a good quality string too. And expensive. Please help I’m heartbroken.

So sorry to hear about your troubles. Please be sure to carefully watch the video on this post so that you can understand the proper procedure to replace a string. You’ll note that it’s important (when tuning or replacing a string) to slowly raise the pitch of the string to the proper note, but NOT beyond. So if you’re tuning your A string and you tighten it beyond the note A to the notes B or C you have exceeded the proper normal tension of the string by a large amount. It WILL break regardless of the cost/quality of the string. These strings are not designed to be tuned above the proper pitch.
The trick is to keep the target pitch in your ear (or play it on a piano) while tuning up the string. That way you know when to stop. It’s also helpful to make sure your tuning pegs are in good condition and operate smoothly.

By Post Author

Comments are closed.