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What can we do to have longer lasting strings?
So many factors determine the length of the life of the strings, but if you look at them one at a time, you will find that it is quite easy to understand what's wrong and what we can improve. Often it's something we can improve straight away by ourselves, so this checklist is definitely worth keeping in mind.
1. strength of the fingers of the left hand
2. moisture of your hands/humid environment
3. sharp edges or angles
4. Is your instrument too long for that pitch?
5. could the string be too stiff?
6. ...or too polished? (or both!!)
...wait a moment... what exactly means "too often"?
7. are there evident defects in the string?
Ps: a little backstage, just for fun: those yellow things which seems to frame me in these videos... of course they were not meant but let me say I like them, they are making an interesting effect.
(This, of course, was recorded just before my cartooning course, sorry!
Tags
baroque music, double-bass strings, early music, gut strings, gut strings history, gut strings maintenance, gut strings manufacture, viol strings, viola da gamba strings, viola strings, violin strings, violoncello strings
Everything it’s said in this great video is valid also for gut wound strings. Really clearly explained. We had round or ground wound (hand polished) until…. 1910 when Thomastick patented a machine to wound with flat wire.
Read MoreHow to make a professional loop knot to your string. This is the official pro technique. The one I use for my strings is slightly different: instead of the pencil I use my teeth to keep the loop open, more practical.
Read More“I couldn’t play without varnished strings. Yes, I know they are not historically correct, but there is no other way for me, as my hands are so sweaty and I am so busy, that I move from hard air-conditioned to hot and humid environments even trice per day.”Is this familiar to you? I hear this
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