What Happened in Ray Chen's Tchaikovsky String Break

In this video, I am reacting to and analyzing Ray Chen's violin string break that happened while he was playing the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with the Seattle Symphony. There's a lot that goes down when a soloist breaks a string and not a lot of people talk about the unspoken procedure that is done to deal with it mid-performance. Huge props to Ray and the violin section for handling it in the most efficient way possible!
Original video from @RayChenViolinist - • violinist string BREAK...
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[@dannyboy2267]

Good video! I'd like to add that Ray Chen doesn't actually play on a Stradivarius anymore. He plays a modern violin by Kurt Widenhouse.

[@JuliaJacobsen]

Thank you so much for clarifying this! It's an amazing instrument!

[@jshum02]

@@JuliaJacobsen Actually I think he switches it up but may use the Strad in performance and switchs the modern one in once in a while to see if people to know but may be@dannyboy2267 knows he uses it all the time. Here he is on the dolphin that was just loaned to him a year ago? kzbin.info/www/bejne/oV6Ve5dtfMqsg7sfeature=shared

[@dannyboy2267]

@@jshum02 Yes, he does switch it up now! At the time of the performance in the video, Chen wasn't loaned the "Dolphine" Strad yet. From around 2019 to 2022, I think Chen exclusively played on his Widenhouse violin. Before that, I think he used to switch between another Widenhouse violin and the "Joachim" Strad. During the pandemic, Chen recorded the Solace album with the "Samazeuilh" Strad, but he hasn't used it in performances since then.

[@SUNshine-jv2we]

great to see you back on outube, i would love to see more vlogs :)

[@JuliaJacobsen]

I'm glad to be back! There is definitely more to come :)

[@jacks5kids]

Basic physics lesson: The tension on a string constant along the whole length of the string (except for the negligible effect of sliding friction). It really isn't true to say that the tension is greatest at the bridge. However, it is definitely most likely to break at the bridge for several reasons. Firstly, it is the node of all vibrations, meaning that every time it vibrates (660 times per second open E to 2640 times two octaves higher) it is the point at which it is held still while the whole string see-saws up and down, so all fatigue effects are concentrated at the bridge. So in addition to being bent sharply at an angle at the bridge, it gets bent and unbent literally several million times per hour that it is being played, all at that point. The nut is the other node of the vibration, but only when playing open notes, which is a small proportion of the time. Also, there there is no big constant bend angle at the nut, so it is unlikely to break at the nut. Abrasion at the bridge, which happens when tuning or stopping the string, is not significant for metal strings.

[@jodimerusi3250]

That was very interesting! I'm a flutist (non professional) who plays in 2 large Community Wind Bands. I love Classical Music and since I live just over an hour from Tanglewood (summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and The Boston Pops)in the summer I go to 6 or 7 performances. I am also going to see, and hear Ray Chen when he comes to Connecticut this April (I've already bought the ticket!!) I just subscribed to your channel and hopefully my comment helps your KZbin algorithm! 😊

[@accolade8060]

Thank you. This was very informative. I have seen this done before and was amazed at how smoothly the violinist continued, as if this type of thing happens to her all the time. Kudos to the concertmasters and the 4th chairs for coolness under pressure also.

[@JuliaJacobsen]

I'm so glad to hear that! The fact that soloists like Ray Chen sometimes carry extra E strings in their coat pockets shows that it can happen pretty frequently. Some soloists change their strings as often as every two weeks! So they get used up fast.

[@d.schoepflin2247]

Great video Julia! I have one question though, During string breaks, are there ever many injuries caused by the string whipping towards the player's face? I can see an unfortunate violinist who's had a string break get an receives an entire row of stitches to hold her skin back together! Can that or does this ever happen? As an eighth grade teacher I had a student who always wore safety glasses when playing in her strings class! I considered her a smart young lady even if the strings instructor did not! Thank you for this great video! I look forward to view more of your videos! Thanks, Dan S.

[@JuliaJacobsen]

Thank you, Dan! It is uncommon for the string to hit you in the face. Since it most often breaks near the pegs - and the strings naturally coil - the string will usually coil some as it breaks apart away from the instrument. Also, it is a natural instinct for most people to close their eyes or brace for impact as soon as the string breaks, so my eyes are usually shut in the split second it happens.

[@d.schoepflin2247]

@@JuliaJacobsen Thank you Julia for clearing that up for me!

[@shonen84]

Very informative! Thank you 😊. I just watched Ray performing this concerto in my hometown of Antwerp, Belgium. The internet has indoctrinated me into expecting the E string break during that particular part…my inner troll was disappointed it didn’t happen, lol. The entire performance was of course, amazing. It’s extra special for us Belgians, because Ray won the Queen Elisabeth Music Competition in 2009, also with Tchaikovsky.

[@gregrivera9079]

Thanks for giving more details on what happened. I was looking for more than just oh he swapped violins. This is crazy amazing thanks for showing

[@JuliaJacobsen]

You're welcome! It's crazy what some of the unspoken procedures are in the classical world.

[@Lorena-l9q]

Please analyse the Midori string break, I loved this video!🥰

[@JuliaJacobsen]

Will do! Coming soon

[@DBK415]

How high can you tune the E past E on a full size violin. Think it could reach G up a minor third?

[@JuliaJacobsen]

That is a good question! I haven't personally tried that in fear of losing a good E string, but I'm thinking it might barely make it to a G. If it does make it, my guess is that it'll only last a few hours of being played before it breaks.

[@missbeans]

I love how expressive his eyebrows are 😂 Great analysis, I learned something new!

[@ntobekohandelfaya8745]

Thank you for analysis in depth.....Master class level ❤ from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@Hocas_Fan]

May I ask how did you got the full movement video?

[@hamwhacker]

I can confirm your analysis is spot on!! It happened to me when I was co-leading a chamber string concert (student-level). Only the leaders string broke so I gave him my violin to continue playing and literally went backstage to put to a new string on his violin. The truth was that I wasn’t good enough or brave enough to lead after he stopped playing because I couldn’t reach the notes!

[@jameschristiansson3137]

Julia, wouldn't the new string she's putting on go wildly flat within seconds ? Or would Ray have stretched the spare string in advance to reduce that ? Pray tell.

[@shotsfiredandmissed9068]

so just place a 2nd violin beside the soloist just in case then. i mean its not hard to bring two violins just in case one breaks xD

[@andysPARK]

Fun video, thanks :)

[@christopheryoung1878]

Very interesting.

[@nickdryad]

A roadie should run on stage and hand over a violin. What? He doesn’t have a a roadie?…That’s not very rock n roll

[@JuliaJacobsen]

Haha that would be such a cool job to have!

[@nickdryad]

Classical violinists are snobs because they insist on loops rather than balls. I’d say that the loops are where the string is going to fail. The wound strings tend to fail slowly. The e string is not liable to break at the bridge point. Usually at the peg wrapping/winding or the loop.

[@JuliaJacobsen]

I think a lot of violinists don't really have a choice when it comes to loop or ball ends because of the tailpiece that comes with their instrument, unless they change it of course. I do agree that the loop end can be a bit concerning because it just looks like it can come off the instrument so easily. And most of my E string breaks have been near the pegs, so that's true that is the likely place.

[@Terrivian_Vess]

: ) This was cool, no idea why youtube recommended the original video to me, but it then led me here and you seem like a nice person. liked, subbed, and a comment for the algorithm. GL HF with your future endeavors!

[@hazel-rah4997]

String broke, Ray took another violin and made some funny faces, analysis complete.

[@JuliaJacobsen]

Essentially yes! I just wanted to delve a little deeper for folks who are curious about what the procedure is when this happens.

[@lmnoplmnop]

That's a bit mean. It was good she explained it in great detail not everyone knows this.

[@andysPARK]

I enjoyed this video :) Don't be a sour grape hazel :p

[@ecstasy-8957]

“He is cool. You have to admit that” Couldn’t relate more.