How to Change Strings (without breaking them💥)

Sign up (for free) to Tonic: tonicmusic.app/practice-together to join the largest practice community where you can get motivated and learn music with others 🎵 Open to ALL instruments and levels
Changing strings doesn't have to be a painful experience. Learn how Ray does it and never snap a string again!
0:00 - Intro
0:39 - Removing old string
1:59 - Preparing the new string
2:21 - Applying new string
3:51 - Tuning the string
5:09 - Changing the E string
5:40 - Removing the ball end
7:41 - Q&A String Changing

[@RayChenViolinist]

Now that you can change your strings like a pro, GO PRACTICE on Tonic: tonicmusic.app/join-in 🎵I practice there all the time so come say hi in my practice room 👋🏼

[@chia_s_ee_d]

Thanks Ray!!🎻

[@minliviolinist4179]

Is it not recommended to have a ball end for the e-string? The fine tuner of my violin is specifically made for the ball end…🤔

[@catelerasofficial]

Thank you so much! 🧐🍷❤

[@sabrinai]

String exploding being the biggest fear of every violinist ever.

[@amiiae]

Hello! Ray, you are the reason why I started playing violin and I love it! Violin now, has became a part of my life! Thank you so much and I hope you are doing well!

[@fenrir92600]

Do I have a violin ? No. Do I play an instrument ? Neither. Did I watch the whole video because it was just THAT interesting earing this man talk so passionnately about his art ? yes

[@jimenezarturo]

Very useful videos 🙌🏼 I'm a 40 years old man and after so many years I finally decided to learn how to play violin 😊

[@mellissadalby1402]

Great video. Some years back I tried to change my violin strings and I was not careful and I got them all Aatty Wampus. Now I know a little better. I like the way Olaf Grawert shows us how to adjust the bridge (if needed when changing strings), it makes good sense. I got the Tonic App, but (so far) I've been too chicken to try it yet.

[@chrisma3256]

Love that you mention the parchment. My teacher adds one for my violin, he's so much more useful than my local luthier who didn't even use graphite.

[@misakiwakahisa5640]

Ray must have read my mind. Next week on Thursday I have my first play during a lecture and I already was thinking for a few days about what if my E string breaks during the lecture, I don't know how to restring my violin. But now if I need to restring it I have this video.

[@agatafurczyk9149]

I've seen a video where a luthier explained how important it is, that fine-tuner is well aligned with tailpiece. That's why I (DIY 😁) changed a 'Wittner-lever-style-ball one' 😋 to a loop one. The back of my wooden tailpiece wasn't adjusted so the big Wittner gave me a fuzzy sound on E. Ever since I changed to a small loop-type tuner the sound of E became clear, so now even my little-experienced ears find it much easier to locate the right notes. But I picked one with a hook (almost) round in diameter, to avoid explosive cutting of the string 😎

[@mintchoco5640]

The lubrication really helps. I forgot to do it once, and my strings started to show wear very early (like 2 weeks after changing). I changed my strings last month, this time lubricating the bridge and nut and the strings are still in great shape.

[@laurabaikokshinova3070]

Thanks Ray, much needed blog!

[@anoushkapatil139]

Greetings from India!!!

[@jonhh6918]

Great video Ray exactly what Katherine on Tonic needed ! 😉

[@shangyien]

Amazing video editing!

[@larryphotography]

Lubricating with pencil was new for me. Another tip, I always kink the end of the string before inserting it into the peg hole, that prevents it from slipping out. Also not sure whether you mentioned that you need to maintain tension on the string while tightening the screw before you hook the string in to the tailpiece. Too much slack and it will unravel. Thanks for the great video!

[@camillotejan]

Personal recommendation: I've played in several high level youthorchestras in northern Germany and most of the time I see the Violins using "Thomastik Peter Infeld PI100" Strings.

[@antonvf9619]

so helpfull! many thanks!

[@aaronnam1444]

Hey Mr. Craft! Hope I'm not wasting your time! Haha! My mom told me, life is balance, I don't understand because I go all out. I'm either extreme or quit. Johnny said, there's no better feeling than mastering the violin. I trust his advice, so I try my best...but, I had a dream...the universe exploded in the sky, and i saw all the planets and stars and galaxies, and fell down in awe!!! Dreams are an extension of your fantasies, reality is a hint, or tool, or instrument of your perception. The brain analyzes your thoughts, emotions, and feelings and forms a vision of your life, the past, present and future...Lucifer, mastered his craft AND his fantasies. He became a dragon when he waged the war in heaven against the Almighty. I'm trying to do the same, master my craft AND my fantasies...then you will be the chosen one, and the heavens will open up, and the GODS will speak to you!

[@MakeAmericaGreatAgain04]

@RayChen keep these videos coming 🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻they are amazing

[@inzaneboy5916]

OMG same! I literally have phobia on that too. Anyways, great video!

[@chia_s_ee_d]

Tysm for this vid Ray!! Even though i play cello, I’d assume its kind of similar❤

[@rosieeecostello]

Hey! I just recently had a string break and this video helped out alot! Thanks!! ☺️

[@jnee3873]

Part 3 comment: (Sorry for the Delay😅) The Violin - Thank you ray ❤❤❤❤❤

[@slvclw]

Thanks bro

[@adamschaafsma5839]

Love your videos Ray. I know this off topic but I really want to hear you adapt Panacea from Hyperlight Drifter. I have searched all over and nobody has done it and I think it's a beautiful piece that deserves some love. Hope you see this 😅

[@jnee3873]

THIS WILL SAVE MY LIFE 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@RayChenViolinist]

DID I SAVE YOUR LIFE OR WHAT?!

[@jnee3873]

@@RayChenViolinist😂😂😂😂😂😅

[@laiaussettiforn4461]

I… had the same strings for 4 years. I’m changing them now 😅

[@jandutton]

I wish you wouldn't have skipped over what is parchment and putting the loop of the string on the tuner.

[@dragonmaster4843]

bro is a saver

[@claudiat.3887]

Thank you, this video will help me so much and finally I am going to play violin in tone 😅🤣🤣

[@HoneyMillie]

很好！

[@HeKTo_Heu3BecTHblu]

Hello👋 , thank you for sharing your knowledge with us❤, I am also a violinist and I would like to know where you buy strings, in which online store?

[@elliechoi._.]

I usually snap current strings tuning that have been on my instrument for a while…but having to tune a new string usually ends in the new string and $$$ gone…😢 I have to take it to the luthier now 😅…..

[@johngross9394]

I use dominant strings. I will check out Dynamo. Also as a guitar player I have busted a few high E strings 😅

[@pikachewyourfood3750]

TOOOOOOOOONNNNNNIIIIICCCCC IS THE BEST!

[@marcodemarte132]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 A música 🎻🎶 Divinamente 📔 inspirada é DEUS 💙 Alziro Zarur 🕊️

[@etinloki]

I knew about applying graphite to the bridge, but I didn't know about applying graphite to the nut as well. Is that good practice? Does anyone else do that too?

[@agatafurczyk9149]

Yes, and I use a B5 - so VERY SOFT - pencil 😊 Luthiers also mention in their videos that you should do it 🙂 And my luthier even told me that it doesn't hurt to apply graphite to the grooves on the ridge in tailpiece if you don't use fine-tuners on GDA! But my tailpiece has an exceedingly high ridge... 🤭

[@lukasvanbeckevoort524]

Learning tuning on a strad 😂

[@leonnguyen5337]

How did you change your string during the concerts where it snapped ? Wouldn't the new string stretch and de-tune quickly ?

[@laurabaikokshinova3070]

I always change strings with caution. 😅😅😅😅😅😅💯

[@chrisma3256]

Now that would have been useful when changing strings on my kid's 1/4. So hard to fit.

[@irenea.h9623]

Hi Ray ,I'm a beginner violin player,I'm grade 5 ,please what technical book for beginners you recommend?

[@voidofmisery4810]

good i need to re string my violin today 😂

[@christaherwig0404]

It will always be a mystery to me how can you hear these sounds and whether they are correct😮

[@user-en8ij2fu9d]

Let's gooooooiooooooooooo

[@user-en8ij2fu9d]

Let's goo I got hearted by Ray chennnnnnnn

[@quest-cequecesttonvisage]

lets gooo@@user-en8ij2fu9d

[@Crispy_nuggets]

I bought a new violin and the E string can't be tuned. I mean I can tune it to E but it's lower than the A string. If I turn the pegs more, the string will just break. Is that always like that?

[@carloscarrillo6333]

I am going to the concert on march

[@user-tb4vw2ks7o]

🚀✈️

[@leonmeyer7806]

Would be nice to have included Stravinsky and Khachaturian in the ratings.

[@sparklingmagnolia]

I remember trying to tune a violin by myself and the d string snapped…now I play cello😅

[@agatafurczyk9149]

I snapped a D string too: when I tuned my violin for the 1st time 😹

[@hecapan1]

I hate how long it takes for new strings to temper.

[@Valentinacosmeti_s]

yesterday my E string snap me

[@jnee3873]

Part 2 comment: THIS WILL SAVE MY LIFE🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 - Says the Violin😅😅😅, p.s., thank for the helpful video.

[@jnee3873]

Part 3 in 20 hours average

[@user-rx1ew7qc7f]

oh man i am in fist 100 viewers yessss

[@KalenaRios69]

I am so screwed…. God

[@joseleonido3479]

How ?

[@oxoelfoxo]

algo comment

[@Grem305]

I wish I had a chinese mother!!

[@bobbiecat7139]

I like this BUT I would lose some of the emojis...They are fun...but very distracting especially if you are a beginner😳

[@Xphqntom]

You never give me a heart or reply me.... :( Getting pinned is impossible

[@Amywithlove148]

I m just too lazy to change it 😂😂😂