Violinist’s Complete Guide: Maintenance, Adjustment, Strings, etc [Beginner to Pro]

[@andrewryan8075]

Hi Daniel and everyone joining in! Im very happy to answer any questions you may have.

[@aaronblackham360]

How do you select string brand/product when setting up an instrument?

[@anibatikian]

What an educational video. Full of positive vibes especially when the doggy was in the shot❣️

[@carpetbrown1115]

Thanks andrew and daniel. most helpful part was adjusting the pegs to the correct tuning position. i wished u were a bit elaborate on sound post adjusting, like to make that A string open, i would think you pulled the sound post away from the bass bar. so did you pull both the top and the bottom? coz when its at full tension i wouldnt think its wise to pull from the middle of the sound post.

[@twochopsticks]

Does it make a difference to the violin whether you use a centred or side chin rest?

[@andrewryan8075]

@@twochopsticks Yes, it can make a difference to the tone. The mass of the chinrest and its placement, either over the tailpiece or beside, can change the frequency and amplitude of the lowest body modes of the violin. Whether it is a negative or positive effect depends on the particular qualities of your violin. Some violins respond well to over the tailpiece while others prefer to the side.

[@peterchun1521]

This is a VERY sorely needed video for MANY players, of ALL stringed instruments! I'm so happy to realize that someone whose videos are so popular has aligned himself with one of the world's great luthiers! I've known of Andrew's skills, and have benefitted from his passion to connect with players to explain things to us, MUCH earlier than most, having met him when he was JUST starting out, around 1991-1992. Even then, he was very generous WITH his talents, and TO players. At that time, I've never met anyone able to explain how violin adjustments worked. It seemed almost like sorcery, or some other mysterious power or process. I started to realize that it was all physics, (without him USING physics to explain) and that anyone should be able to explain it like that. What he said should happen when he made a certain adjustment actually happened! That was so EYE OPENING! I was already interested in luthery, but he made it SO MUCH more interesting to me! When I later saw his violins, it was with ZERO surprise that I saw his instruments are SUPERB! I expected no less. I'm so happy to see that he's become so successful over the years. I don't get to talk to him much anymore, having moved to the mid-west over 20 years ago, so I'm so happy to see him in things like this! Enjoy everyone!

[@antoniopellegrino13]

thank you so much for sharing this! It will help so many students and teachers for a proper maintenance of their fragile instruments!

[@DanielKurganov]

Wonderful!

[@andrewryan8075]

❤️

[@stefmantokyo08]

Great initiative, Daniel! Thanks. - I was given the advice by my violinmaker in Berlin (particularly experienced in the maintenance and repair of string instruments old and new) to use acetone to clean the strings from rosin every time I played. Separate cloth, of course. Works really well. Again, you want to make sure that no acetone drips down on the varnish on the soundboard. - Btw, I just recently went to my first (and last!!!) Nigel Kennedy concert here in Berlin (Beethoven violin concerto etc.). His Guarneri looked like it came straight out of a blizzard. Soundboard thickly covered with rosin. Incredible. He apparently gives a damn...

[@suzanne9581]

Forget the violins - I want that dawg🐶!!! Seriously, this was SO interesting and now I can blame the poor set up on my violin for my bad playing. Thank you!! I feel much better now!

[@DanielKurganov]

Finally someone gets the real takeaways!

[@andrewryan8075]

I’ll pass that on to Chester. 😀

[@marinathr4890]

Hello, Daniel! I am your dedicated viewer and also a new violin teacher. I really want to introduce your videos to my students but they don’t speak the language, so I would love to make Russian subtitles for at least some of your videos. There must be a button somewhere that lets other people add subs to KZbin videos, but as of now the option isn’t available for your ones. Please consider adding that option. I believe your content can be extremely beneficial not only for my students but for any violinist who is in constant search for improvement!

[@DanielKurganov]

Dear Marina, thanks for your comment! Have you tried the auto-translation in Russian? If you click on the "gear" icon>subtitles>auto-translate.

[@johnalexander301]

Excellent video. Thanks gents!

[@DanielKurganov]

Thanks John!

[@isamviola4528]

Really nice and helpful video, thank you so much.

[@RAFITAESTRADITA]

Thanks Daniel!!! Hi from Tijuana, México. 🙂

[@DanielKurganov]

Thanks for watching!

[@doraszilagyi6598]

Great video. Thank you!

[@DanielKurganov]

You're very welcome!

[@davidequaglia]

Very useful content, thank you!!

[@renshimarek]

12:22 nawijanie struny G 12:52 prawidłowe rozplanowane strun na kołkach

[@sumyungai1]

I wish there was a video like this when I was playing in high school. My violin teacher wasn’t thorough about the instrument itself. Least she taught me I’m how to change strings! I grew up thinking it wasn’t the instrument but rather me and my (bad) technique, and that I had to change my playing around the violin.

[@johngeddes7894]

Stuff I wish I had learned years ago!

[@meegel3689]

Great content 👏👏

[@cweeks5211]

This was fantastic!

[@joyceoxfeld1352]

I am just re starting to play after a stoppage due to medical problems. This is necessary for me to see as much of this I was never told by my teachers.

[@andrewryan8075]

Good luck starting up!

[@zapa1pnt]

I don't play, but I could sure notice the difference, when Ryan moved that sound post. The wolf went home. 😍😍

[@DanielKurganov]

Right?!

[@Spiritmourn]

Thank you so much Daniel for this excellent video. I have a question: I play in a baroque group in a (cold) church. After some time in the church my violin strings (French 1901 bernadel) begins to sound scratchy, brittle, which of course make me sound like I can't play! But literally the tone in the lower strings becomes almost impossible! It is stressful especially as we do concerts in the same place. Playing piano is super tough. Do you know what I can do? I use a humidity pack in the case. Thank you so much.

[@chrisebbesen5798]

How do you dead center an extremely thin violin bridge on the tick? Thanks for any help!

[@shkedov.b]

Piece at the beginning is Brahms' op. 117 for piano, no. 2.

[@michaelblaney4461]

Very interesting , how did the old Appalachian Fiddlers keep their fiddles in order with barnyard tools?

[@basiaszendrei1603]

It all comes down to teachers, mine would not allow me to touch my own instrument before I washed my hands thoroughly 😂. They also taught me to have two cloths one for the strings and one for the instrument.

[@DanielKurganov]

Not bad advice! :)

[@evanij]

Nice

[@ecinajnnyl]

Hi there , thank you for sharing such detailed information. I have played violin since 2nd grade , I’m now 62 and learned so much from you I didn’t know . I have an old violin I recently brought to a music store for repair to replace soundpost , adjust new bridge and put on set of new strings I wanted to try and thought it was all correctly done until yesterday I was trying to adjust tuning and realized the d string is crossed to the a string peg and a string is in d string peg . I don’t want to take the 2 off at once and lose the sound post / bridge again or drive there to correct but I can’t see a way to put them where they belong in eachothers peg without taking 2 off even with a new string for either? If you can think of a way please let me know or will the bridge or post likely collapse if those 2 are carefully removed and quickly replaced ? Thank you for any help or advice.

[@lincolnosiris3665]

What about the wood choices for tailpieces? To which degree do they make a difference?

[@andrewryan8075]

Heavier woods can absorb some of the energy from the vibrating string and are sometimes helpful for ‘wolfy’ violins.

[@lincolnosiris3665]

@@andrewryan8075 thx, andrew!

[@mozartsthenamemusicsthegam1520]

Hi Daniel I want to pursue a violin making course. Could you advise me ...

[@dvides89]

Hi Andrew and Daniel, I’ve been noticing some patches on the varnish of my violin which won’t get rubbed off when I clean the instrument( they look kind of like humidity drops or like finger marks) but I’ve been very careful to keep my violin away from humidity sources. Would you know the reason for that and Is there any way to combat it? ( I wish KZbin would let me upload a photo to show what I mean 😢)

[@dvides89]

@@vtk5 I tried adding the links to Imgur but the comments seem to be blocked by KZbin.

[@andrewryan8075]

It is difficult to diagnose this without seeing it but sometimes sweat from when you are playing can drop onto the varnish and discolor it (is it on the top only or on the back and sides too?). Even our breath can cause a reaction in some varnishes. When you have a chance show it to your luthier.

[@Monica-rv7go]

what's the brand of the bridge used in the video??

[@andrewryan8075]

They are personal model bridges made for me by Despiau in France. They are an excellent company and the wood is superb.

[@mertbasar9669]

What's that piece in the very beginning? Does anyone know?

[@DanielKurganov]

Brahms intermezzo in B flat minor Op 117 no 2

[@Hunterk_10]

Watching this makes me think of Cheryl Macomber.

[@Hunterk_10]

The violin maker in Kentucky...

[@АнатолийКовалев-з3б]

на флажолеты надо слушать в первую очередь. они сразу говорят о наличии обертонов ...

[@benmorris8442]

very interesting video but too many adverts

[@janerose1945]

This was wonderful. Lots of very useful information for keeping things in shape, winding strings, and general awareness. The pacing was good for actually absorbing the information/good close-ups. Also, extremely sweet doggie.

[@michelevolz7769]

Great!! Knew quite a bit of the info but had not seen about lifting the strings to help w string tension. Sent this to several folks! TY! Really appreciate the tips!

[@DanielKurganov]

Thanks Michele!

[@leif1075]

@@DanielKurganov Hey Daniel, Thanks for sharing. I really hope you 🙏can respond to my other comment when you cam, especially about learning Halo on violin. Thanks very much.

[@finemasterviolins]

As a violin maker I agree 💯 % with the knowledge and art presented here. Beautiful work ~ from both of you Sometimes it’s difficult to express all these things but you have presented it in a very understandable way 👏👏👏👏

[@DanielKurganov]

Thanks so much! Thanks for your role in making our violins sing!

[@leif1075]

@@DanielKurganov Please help I'm trying to learn to play Turkey in the Strae..How in God's name are you supposed to.play sonfast while.crossing strings like first measures crossing from A to D string..It's so frustrating and infuriating I'm tired of playing the same.thing over and over again..there must ne a way to learn it faster right away..and in general I'm sick of monotonous practicing..GAH Im so frsutrated i could explode. Please help.

[@andrewryan8075]

❤️

[@shobarsch]

Thanks a lot, Daniel! Incredibly helpful video.

[@DanielKurganov]

I'm so glad you liked it!

[@thecatofnineswords]

It's lovely to see a master working. They make everything look so easy, as their actions are so smooth, comfortable and relaxed.

[@DanielKurganov]

I love watching Andrew work! And yes, the actions are decisive, fast, and smooth. I liken it to a great chef. They are very active, and can do delicate tasks quickly. The art of it is not in any sort of theatrics.

[@leif1075]

@@DanielKurganov Thanks for sharing. I hope you can respond to my other comment when you can. Thanks very 🙏 much.

[@DanielKurganov]

Hi Leif. I think you had a question about the E string squeaking? I had replied about this and other topics some time ago. There are a number of reasons why you would squeak on the E string. In my experience, the 2 main reasons could be: you are not using enough bow for the string to resonate and/or your bow isn't straight (straight in relationship to the bridge, but also straight on the opposite plane. Watch my videos on mirror practice to learn more about that). Regarding string crossings, it's important to understand that the distance between 2 strings is approaching 0. Keeping the crossing motion (vertical) minimal while maintaining the motion of the stroke (horizontal) is crucial. Good luck!

[@leif1075]

@@DanielKurganov Ok thank you very much for responding. Sorry I didn't see it. Whem you say keep the bow straight with relation to the bridge , do you mean perfectly parallel to the bridge? My other question is about learning how to play fast opening passage alternating strings in the song Halo..would be able toboffer anybibsoghts ifI send you the link to the sheet music?

[@thecatofnineswords]

I have never seen anyone adjust the strings in the grooves based on their projection above the bridge. That's a fine detail

[@andrewryan8075]

The aim is to have the top of the strings in a perfect arc. This makes bowing much easier.

[@tinlong6469]

This is free gold. Thanks alot.

[@hot2it851]

This was great! A good mix of practical and interesting. Thanks!

[@mariadasvattamakaljosephma3895]

Thank you very much for the Valuable informative tips.🎉👌👍☺️

[@scottkleyla7752]

A study of other instruments, thank you for share and lesson.

[@sadjadh.tayebie2759]

Very good and also practical.merci

[@nickyork8901]

The difference after the adjustment at 35:45 is quite striking. Very interesting video!

[@andrewryan8075]

❤️

[@nickdubya1215]

WHAT'S THE SECRET WORK?! SO CURIOUS! Does it deal with your Disney vocal album release? But I really enjoyed this video, especially the nuances of cleaning safely and effectively. I'm looking forward to incorporating these into my daily practice. I also enjoyed the approachable physics of sound-making and getting all those close-ups of that gorgeous violin. Would love more videos with Andrew and Chester ( the real hero of the video). Thanks so much!

[@DanielKurganov]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Andrew's secret method for testing adjustments is...SECRET! Only 2 people in world know this technique and the other guy mysteriously vanished...

[@andrewryan8075]

Hi Nick, Chester is a faithful and eager friend. I’m afraid he’d rather play ball than listen to violins though. 🙂

[@nickdubya1215]

@@andrewryan8075 Ahh, sounds just like my pup. He has licked my fiddle a few times. Oddly he is mesmerized by my girlfriend's flute playing.

[@adelkharisov]

I have already washed the filter from my vacuum cleaner and used it for cleaning strings, lol. Will try to find 000 plastic ScotchBrite. I used to try 000 metal wool on new strings only, to make the shifting more smooth, but it took away lots of silver from string wounding.

[@DanielKurganov]

Yes, the steel wool is very abrasive. I used to use 0000 very carefully (and put the violin upside down when I do it so that metal flakes don't fall on the instrument) but then Andrew got me onto 0000 Scotchbrite, and that's really the best. It'll still take silver off, though, so gentle pressure and only using it occasionally is best.

[@vtk5]

Does the sound post adjustment have anything to do with the type of strings that work best on a particular instrument? I have been pretty happy with PI on my violin but tried Obligato and gut passione before - terrible response. But they’re good strings and I know other people who use them quite successfully, and I tried them well on those violins. So what makes strings suited or not suited to a violin?

[@Skinny_Karlos]

My 'Bonmusica' shoulder rest, on its lowest setting (I have a short neck), damaged the underside of my violin as well !! Upset is an understatement, just glad it wasn't on the top. My violin is only about, oh, $5000au but to me, it sounds good (it does have a nice tone) and I only play about 6th - 8th-grade AMEB pieces so I'm way short of your standard, Daniel but our instrument is important no matter the dollar value if we make music together (person and instrument connecting to make something enjoyable to listen to and play). I enjoy your videos and your playing, Daniel. Thank you, from DownUnder Australia. Mark

[@antonvf9619]

so using disposable paper (the type we use in the kitchen) is the first thing to use when cleaning the rosin away? should we use paper also on the strings and fingerboard? (this video is sooooo helpfull! many thanks!

[@Louise-qk2po]

I bought a Gewa bow online which left a wierd residue on my strings, it sounded much worse than I usually do so I returned it. Very happy with its replacement😀

[@deveshgupta8655]

Heyy Daniel! What can be the possible reasons for my strings not resonating? My soundpost has always been in the same place. What else can be the reason?

[@vtk5]

Since the bridge has parchment over the E slot, is it necessary to keep the little tube that comes on the E string that also is supposed to fit over that slot?

[@chrisebbesen5798]

Is 328mm the correct sou.nding length, top of nut to top edge of bridge?

[@zaherkhancaringal5766]

Hello Sir...can you send me a violin here at Philippines..🙏

[@LoiteringReaper]

Will using a sonic cleaner for jewelry work for deep cleaning strings once a year?

[@diegoguerra8736]

Awesome.

[@aMaudPowellFan]

It was interesting to me that the sound post adjustment is done to optimise some objective parameter such as balance and response, so they bring an individual violin into its best personal shape, right? It does not have anything to do with personal taste, does it? How do different strings play into that?

[@DanielKurganov]

I think that strings of high tension vs low tension might require a slightly different post adjustment. For example, farther or closer to the bridge. I will ask Andrew to chime in and confirm/correct this.

[@Poreckylife]

Great question

[@andrewryan8075]

Yes, the adjustment is mostly to bring the individual violin into good order (playing and tone) by adjusting it’s physical behavior. When the various ‘modes’ (body vibrations) are in correct phase the violin will be responsive and rich in overtones.

[@joyceoxfeld1352]

My Bounty towels will come in handy.

[@dm8068]

When he cleans the squeeking freaks me out

[@garysimkins2179]

This was a wonderful experience to observe. I have a question regarding rebushing of peg holes. I have an instrument made in Venice in 1783. It has had a couple of re bushing's done to the peg box over time and currently the peg holes wear down quickly and as a result the pegs push through to the outside. I have here in Toronto a Master Luthier who did a re fill to the instrument to install new pegs, however they have now pushed through again. If I were to request a full re bushing of the peg holes is there a danger to the scroll itself, in that would it weaken the integrity of the scroll? It is such a beautiful instrument, but the pegs not staying aligned with the peg holes bothers me.Thankyou for all of the wonderful information, and your little dog Chester? is simply the sweetest.

[@andrewryan8075]

Hi Gary, Chester says hi! It is very important to use exceptional materials when brushing the peg holes. Wheeler in maple or boxwood the wood should be off very high density to prevent the pegs from wearing through too quickly. Lower density wood will compress too much and allow the pegs to come through. Likewise the pegs should be of dense wood whether they are ebony or boxwood. This will prevent further wear on the pegbox.

[@guretsugu]

In what acoustic environment should you evaluate if you need a soundpost adjustment? My instrument sounds much different between a dead and live rooms.

[@andrewryan8075]

generally i prefer a less flattering environment but when i'm adjusting an instrument I'm listening more to the response/balance and not the 'tone' so much.

[@inkognitomoroz]

Есть русские?

[@woozlebuka]

на месте

[@adelkharisov]

Конечно

[@DanielKurganov]

На KZbin есть новая функция -- "автоматически перевод субтитров"!

[@anacolakovic4201]

Hi Daniel, I am curious what violin bow you are playing? It is a nice match with your violin. Any bow makers you would recommend?

[@DanielKurganov]

I play with a David Hawthorne bow (copy of Lupot). I just got it recently. He's a wonderful maker. Many great makers out there...My bow for the last 10 years was by Klaus Grünke, another great maker. I'm selling that bow currently.

[@axlcrush]

If I am not wrong, too much rosin also can cause some kind of fuzzzy/buzzy sound?

[@DanielKurganov]

Yes, that’s right. I often use the back of my hand to wipe off excess rosin in the moment. If a bunch comes off, it’s a sign that your bow is over-rosined.

[@devttt4685]

So worried about the bow hitting the sloped loft ceiling

[@andrewryan8075]

I worry about that too! 😀

[@DanielKurganov]

I find the best solution is to cut the bow down shorter.

[@naytunaungaung3678]

I want to know the beautiful piece you played in the bonus footage 😍

[@amiralikhalili3461]

Very good video . May i ask what brand of microfiber cloth do you recommend ?

[@DanielKurganov]

I like to find the biggest one possible. I linked it in the description. Thanks for your support!

[@adelkharisov]

@@DanielKurganov for daily cleaning a good brush like Corona or Anza with natural pig hair work great and it lasts forever.

[@DanielKurganov]

@@adelkharisov This is very interesting! Is there a danger that rosin/dust/etc builds up in the bristles over time? I will try that method. It will feel like I am an archeologist :)

[@adelkharisov]

@@DanielKurganov Не опасно. На свиную щетину канифоль особо не налипает. Мастер ЦМШ Владимир Калашников порекомендовал этот метод и с тех пор «микрофиброй» протираем только смычок или накрываем корпус скрипки во время мелких работ. У вас Америке в продаже есть кисти со скошенной щетиной, для подводки углов. Такой будет удобнее смахивать между подставкой и грифом. No danger:) Brush stays clean from rosin for a long time, all rosin goes to the floor:) 1-2 times a year I clean the brush with dishwashing soap like Fairy and with aerosol acetone (Liqui Moly universal cleaner also known as brake cleaner). If you have a bike with disk brakes or a car you know what I am talking about. Brake cleaner on a piece of old t-shirt is also good for cleaning strings from rosin. Much better than alcohol. Sure, you have to cover the violin and put a nitrile glove on a hand you take t-shirt piece, and spray on it away from violin. It also cost nothing in comparison with fancy string cleaners.

[@jonhh6918]

Your voice is so soothing !

[@adelkharisov]

1) ebony (or ivory) inlay in the bridge is more practical than parchment, that should be regularly replaced; 2) Pegheds for fine instruments, or Perfection pegs or even cheap plastic Wittner Finetune geared pegs for student instruments are much more convenient than friction ones: no need for fine tuners, peg lubricant and regular bushings, no broken strings, also weight in the scroll has less or no impact on sound in comparison with weight on string after length! 3) for daily cleaning a good brush with natural pig hair work great and it lasts forever (try angled Corona or Anza from your local painters and decorators shop).

[@philipq6906]

are the peghead and perfection pegs same? I am in the UK England and only perfection peg and wittner products are available. The perfection pegs need a little glue, but they are way more beautiful than wittner's.

[@adelkharisov]

@@philipq6906 As I know Perfection pegs are copies of Pegheds. There are only Wittners in Russia, so I bought Pegheds with international delivery ordering by email. Their owner also have some older pegheds versions for cheap until the stock is over. If you ream carefully no glue is needed with pegheds/perfection pegs. Although there are perfection pegs up to 9 mm and pegheds up to 10,5 mm, if you have already big pegholes, let’s say 8,5 mm or bigger on a violin, I would prefer to bush them and buy the smallest Pegheds, cause the violin scroll is small, thus fragile. What my luthier do not like about them is the thread.

[@finemasterviolins]

Peghead is the original which was the. Licenced to Taiwanese company to make (Perfection peg). Yes perfection peg does require screwing into side of peg box and a drop or so of glue so it doesn’t come out.

[@macauleywoo1573]

Hi Daniel, what violin case do you use?

[@DanielKurganov]

GL Cases - K17 model. It's excellent! I hope they sponsor me soon :)

[@elizahalbrook7088]

Can you make a sequel about the bow?

[@DanielKurganov]

Great idea! I know just the person :)