Professional String
Professional String
How to buy a good string instrument for your child
ZING! Go the strings of my tot or
You (or your child) have decided that they could benefit from learning to play violin, viola, cello or string bass. Congratulations, and we welcome you to an exciting and rewarding world of music making.
One of the first questions that may immediately come to mind as you begin this journey is "Where do I get a quality instrument?" Finding a first instrument that is responsive and has a beautiful sound is a critical first step when learning to play a string instrument. This is especially true when procuring an instrument for a child. Here are a couple of guidelines:
1) Find a reputable string instrument dealer. If you walk in the door of the shop and see flutes, drums or trumpets, immediately turn and leave. String instruments are a specialty item and if a store offers a variety of instruments, that often means they are less likely to provide the string specialists that you will find in shops that exclusively deal in string instruments.
2) If your child is first starting with a private teacher, consult with the teacher before making any commitment. Most string teachers have established relationships with string instrument dealers. These dealers know the teacher's preferences in terms of shoulder rests, strings and instrument brand. Since the teacher probably sends significant business to a particular shop, you are also more likely to get "priority" service. Every teacher has slightly different preferences when it comes to how an instrument‘s tone quality and how it is "set up" (chin rest, shoulder rest, type of strings, etc.) A store that consistently deals with a teacher will have this information and can therefore provide an instrument to the particular teacher's exact specifications. It is important to remember that string instruments come in a variety of sizes and young children need to be "sized" for an instrument. It is very frustrating for a child to try to learn to play an instrument that is too large for them. Matching the size to the player is a determination best made by a string specialist. Ask the person with whom you are interacting at the string shop whether or not they are a professional string player themselves. (Based on their response, your common sense should kick in about what to do next.)
If your child is beginning in a school program, ask the school's string teacher. Most string teachers will hand out a list of recommended shops. Keep in mind, however, that they are often obligated to give you the names of all shops, even those that might not provide the best service, instruments and experts. Instead, ask the teacher where they take their instrument when it needs to be worked on or from whom they purchased their instrument.
3) Stay off the Internet. Yes, it is tempting when you see those rock bottom prices for violins from China, but unfortunately the quality is often very poor and many of the instruments virtually unplayable. I have actually seen instruments that could not even be tuned because the quality was so poor. You will also be stuck with the instrument for life, because few decent string shops will take these instruments in on trade. Also, shops like to deal in their own "brands" and usually won't take other brands in on trade. Don't let price be the determining factor when selecting an instrument. You will not have "saved" any money if the child is frustrated and quits because of trying to play an inferior instrument. As by way of analogy, consider the quality of and the money you spend on sports equipment
4) Ask the following questions of the sales person before signing on the dotted line:
How much is the most expensive violin, viola, cello, bass in your store? The higher the figure, the better. First, it likely gives a more accurate snapshot of the overall quality of the shop. It may indicate they take this business seriously, and are willing to invest and maintain an expensive, high end inventory are prepared to be around for the long run—for themselves and your child. Consider too, that with good instruction, your child might really get into this, and it is not uncommon for parents to pay $15,000 for a violin (even more for a cello) for an advanced teen. That may seem inconceivable now, but music can change children for the better. It opens doors in life that you have not even considered. Cross that bridge when you get to it, but know that there are options should that point in time come, and you would be making an investment in your child—and the instrument. So, plan to plan ahead a bit. Their involvement may lead to wonderful and creative things. It does every day.
This leads to the next question:
What is your trade in policy? Remember, most children are not starting on full sized instruments, so as they grow you are going to need to have instruments that grow with them.
Renting vs. Purchasing: If you are with a good shop, then this question simply comes down to your personal cash flow. Many shops will credit your rental payments up to a certain amount and then apply it towards your eventual purchase.
Used vs. New: Believe it or not, used is often better. Remember the great Italian instruments are hundreds of years old and therefore "used." As long as the instrument is in good condition (no cracks, open seams or disfiguration), old and used are fine.
Insurance: Many shops will offer "instrument" insurance. You should check with your homeowners insurance agent and be absolutely certain that an instrument is covered under your policy. If there is any question, take the shop up on the instrument insurance offer, especially for cellos. A child who can leave his or her lunch on the bus can do the same with a musical instrument. There is also the risk of the instrument being damaged if it is dropped or bumped into.
Carbon Fiber vs. Wood Bows: Strongly consider carbon bows for kids. The bows are less fragile and usually much more "stable" and "even" the than wood bows that can often cost twice as much. Plus, the kids love the colors of the carbon bows and may become much more engaged just because their bow is purple or red. Give the child some say on the color selection, it will give them a greater appreciation of their tools of the trade.
This may become something of a hobby for your child or their life's avocation. Music has the power to change lives, and by investing in a quality instrument from the start, you send a message that this is an endeavor to be taken seriously.
About the Author
Ms. Freeman has been active as a teacher, conductor, arts administrator and professional musician for the past 30 years. Her articles have been published in such prestigious publications as the Suzuki Assoc. of the America's Journal. Currenlty, she is on the faculty of the Peabody Preparatory where she teaches violin/voila and Suzuki group classes and she is the director of the Maryland Talent Education Center in Frederick Maryland. She has been a guest lecturer and masterclass clinician at conferences and institutes around the world. As a professional musician she is principal viola of the Maryland Symphony and also a member of the National Philharmonic. She also directs and creates video for the classical music industry, including filming concerts and producing documentaries and interviews with major artists and teachers in the classical music world. Much of this exclusive video appears only on www.ClassicalMusicCity.com. For more from Phyllis Freeman, go to www.ClassicalMusicCity.com and search "Phyllis Freeman."
Phyllis Freeman received her Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University and her Master of Music degree from Peabody Conservatory.
What is the best string pattern for a tennis racquet?
I wnat to know the best string pattern for a raquet someone who is professional and knows what he is talking about or she. I am looking for power and good control kind of a balence more on the power side though. What i mean by string pattern is like 16x19 stuff like that
I mean i want a professioal to answer the question
Back in the 80's and early 90's racket makers experimenting different string patterns; the "macro" use a 14 main string pattern to create larger grids, the theory is it increases power. When the ball hit the string bed in the slow motion video shows larger string bed movement supposedly create more power. Contrary to the "macro", there is "micro" system, with 18 or more main strings. The focus is on control. The dense string bed (smaller grids) in theory play more like a piece of board, the string bed movement is limited therefore in theory, easier to control.
Both systems require special strings, particularly the micro system since the grommet holes are very small, so 17 gauge or thinner strings were used.
Both created to solve (or improve)one issue(power vs control), but both also create more issues. 16x19 is the most common pattern now a day, and prob. proven to be the best pattern.
Professional String
String quartet wedding music - air on the G string, Bach
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Tips about how Guitar Strings Work
Becoming comfortable with acoustic or electric guitar strings could possibly be a bit complicated if you are a complete beginner. Strings commonly one of the vital factors to obtaining a great guitar sound, they are also the part that will need just about the most routine maintenance as well as proper care. For optimum outcomes, guitar strings really should be fitted effectively, in good spotless condition and also suitable for your guitar they are mounted on. Strings ought to be changed in immediate proportion to the amount of use as well as the situations they are played in. You will see the more you can preserve them neat and free from moisture and grime, the more their life-span as well as tone quality.
For starters, guitar strings tend to be in essence separated into steel and nylon. Nylon material strings are exclusively found on classical and flamenco guitars. The upper strings on a classical guitar are produced from single filament nylon strands. The lower strings are made of mono-filament nylon covered with silver-plated copper or possibly bronze. Nylon will be much easier on the fingers if you're just getting started. Steel guitar strings frequently can be found in either round-wound - suited for acoustic and electric guitars or flatwound - available on arch-top guitars. Virtually all have got a steel center, but are wrapped in a variety of metal alloys, usually nickel, nickel-plated steel or bronze. The various kinds of metal wrappings will offer fairly distinct sustain and tonal response.
The style and gauge of string suitable to your guitar may end up being best confirmed by an expert. Employees at a quality music store could certainly propose a gauge as well as brand for you. Frequently the particular gauge is going to fluctuate from brand to brand.. If you have bought your guitar from a store in the first place, they should have established the guitars intonation (having the guitar in tune through the entire scale - this is different to the individual strings being in tune in the open position). If you have bought the guitar second hand, it's worth your time and money to have your guitar set-up by a professional, they are able to recommend strings that would be the best choice for you. Usually, the bigger the particular gauge of guitar strings, the more substantial the actual tension as well as the more significant the volume level.
It is recommended to thoroughly clean your guitar strings immediately following any major period of playing. One can obtain specialised string cleaning wipes, although a lint-free fabric should accomplish the job. It really is worth getting a string cleaning solution from a music shop, many of these products will also function to thoroughly clean the fretboard and also some may serve as a lubricant, minimizing string noises in addition to enhancing enjoyment of playing.
Don't under ANY circumstances consider household grade cleaning products on your strings, if it turns out these products include corrosive substances, you could cause damage to your guitar fretboard.
The actual means for changing strings changes depending upon the design of guitar you have. Despite this, there are some principals that happen to be commonly used. Many people substitute one guitar string at a time whilst some remove all the strings and then attach them one at a time. This really is up to you, I prefer the second approach because it allows an extremely good clean up of the guitar fret board and frets. Make sure you change guitar strings with care as the sharp ends could cause harm to the finish of your instrument - or your eye!
There are generally one or two items which are helpful to the job:
Pliers
A guitar tuner
Tremolo tool - if you have a guitar with a Floyd Rose style bridge
String winder
Many Telecaster and Stratocaster guitars have got openings in the back of the body and it make it easy for a person to forward the string all the way through to the bridge. Gibsons by contrast commonly let you pass the string through the rear of the bridge, with the ball-end slotting into place there. Floyd Rose type bridges have need of the guitar string to be clamped at the bridge and nut, so the ball-ends are generally cut off the end of the string and it is locked at the bridge by making use of the special floating tremolo tool.
Guitar strings are broadly speaking tightened by turning the machine head anti-clockwise. Place the string through the machine-head allowing a sufficient quantity of slack to complete 3 or 4 complete rotations when the guitar is in tune. Around this time, carry out a definite 90 degree fold to the string in the direction in which it will be wound onto the capstan. Secure the strings to the tuning peg, the direction of the spirals have to be downwards. Always keep the string turns clean and abstain from overlapping. Continue to keep the string tight while you are winding to avoid any kind of sharp kinks or bends. Consider a string winder, it will make the entire process a lot quicker.
Don't wind the strings on too tight, it is best to leave a touch of slack to stretch the strings and you'll limit the possibility of snapping a string. At this stage it's preferable to start out a little bit loose and then gradually over time firm up. The strings might take a little time to stretch before you will achieve a reliable tuning. To stretch, I usually smoothly pull up wards on the guitar strings from the body for a little bit before little by little working them up to playing pitch making use of a digital tuner. It could take a little while until they subside. As soon as in tune, cut the ends from the strings approximately 1 inch from the capstan.
About the Author
If you are interested by guitar associated subjects, we have articles on all things guitar related as well as reviews of systems for those just
beginning guitar
, through to advanced students.
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