Violin Answers

I am looking at something between $100 & (at the absolute most) $300. I have been looking at perhaps getting an electric violin, because I am currently in an apartment & it would be handy to be able to practice without having to worry about disturbing my neighbours. Again, any suggestions? Anything would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I was trying to tune my G-String & it broke & left an imprint. Should I be worried. Also, It’s a cheap violin. I paied $58. This is also a temporary violin. I’m just learning to play & am catching on very quickly. I also ordered some new strings, too.
I also noticed that this question sounds rather wrong, too! >_<

I have a 5-string electric violin & i haven’t been playing it long, so naturally i bought some Dominant strings to replace the horrible strings that always seem to come with new instruments. Including the low 5th C string, they cost just over £50 (the C string was almost half of it). I changed them under the supervision of a teacher on Thursday. Since, they have needed constant tuning as new strings do & while using the fine tuner today (Saturday), the G string broke (no pun intended). It popped out from the ball. Being an experienced guitar player, i have never had a problem of this kind with new strings on a guitar & if i did it wouldn’t be as much of a problem since guitar strings are NOWHERE NEAR as expensive (and apparently better quality)
I’m going to put a crappy old Dogal in its place for now, but is there some kind of guarantee that expensive new strings have against something like this, as i really shouldn’t have to pay for another. Should i contact the retailer i bought them from & ask to send it back for a replacement?

We’re getting married on 9/9/06 in a small chapel. We are expecting 80 guests. We are Christian. We are not having any soloists sing. We have access to an acoustic guitar player & a piano player & possibly a violin player for our wedding music. What is a good song that would relate to a wedding celebration or asking God to bless the union or something like that that the congregation could sing together?
We don’t mind printing the words out for the guests, but the tune should be easy enough that anyone could sing along & not feel tension to hit very high or very low notes.
Any suggestions?

Can I just use electric tape?

You know, playing an electric guitar with a violin bow, like Jonsi from Sigur Ros, or any other artists who do this. I’ve tried, but so far it hasn’t worked out so well. Can anyone give me any tips?

I was working today, (babysitter/nanny) & I had to go outside
to take out the trash & I heard one of the neighbors playing
their violin in their garage.
I have know clue how to explain it other than it was
a certain “beat”, (If thats what you call it)
that played for about 3-5 seconds, & then
pauses for like a split second & then plays a similer
“beat” for another few seconds, then pauses agian.
But right before it paueses each time, it reaches a high tune.
(I have no clue about any of this stuff if you can tell.lol)
It’s a fast plaing song.
And I also have heard it before, it’s played in movies sometimes.
does anyone know what song this could be???
I kno this is a stupid question to ask, but I’m just hoping that
someone knows what I’m talking about.

I just got an electric violin & I have a few questions. The tuning pegs slip. A lot. I’m wondering if there’s anything I can do to fix this or can they be replaced? It also only came with one fine tuner. Is the E string the only one that is supposed to have one or should I get fine tuners for the other strings too? The bridge has no grooves for the strings. Is that normal? And the bridge doesn’t like to stay in its place either.
I understand the workings of numerous instruments but the violin is a whole new world to me. Any violinists willing to share their wisdom are much appreciated.

I was wondering… If you don’t press the string at the right level, the note will sound off tune, right ?? Is it many millimeters that make a difference ?? There must be a big bunch of sounds between semitones… I’m amazed how one could learn to hold one’s finger not looking at the string at the right level & get the right note. Is it hard to learn, a gradual process…? How do you know when you practise at home, whether you are placing your finger at the right spot? Then when tuning… do you tune your instrument yourself ?? This, I believe only could work if you are sure about the ‘right spot’… right? Of course you also use a tuner of some sort… electric… right ? or do you do it by ear ???
(I’ve never had or played a violin)

When I was a kid (70’s), Saturday TV was (amongst other things) Flash Gordon (with Larry “Buster” Crabbe)
What was the “classical” music played in the “romantic bits”..It went….and this is going to read really stupid (unless you know what I mean)……..
derrrrrrrrrrr derrrrrrrrrrrr de de de de derrrrrrr derrrrrrrrrrrrrr,
der da der der,
der da der der da der de (coda)
I know that this sound really stupid but it’s been bugging me for years! It was very “violin-y”
I think that is was a contemporary classical tune & has been used in more comedic “modern” films to enhance the “romantic” moment!
Isn’t this what Y/A is all about?
I really need to know team!
Thanks in anticipation….

I’m gonna explain this in guitar terms because im not fmailier to the violin.
I bought an electric violin completely on a whim & got it today, didn’t get any instructions, been fiddling around with it for about half an hour; put the bridge in, tightened the bow etc. But i can’t tighten string 1. When i tighten the machine head, it just lets the string pull it back again when i let go because of the tension from the bridge. Do i need to tighten the resistence of the machine head? if so, how do i do it? can anybody help?

Hi, I just got a violin for Christmas & have been trying to learn to play. I play piano & flute so I can read notes, but do not have the”ear” to tell if an instrument is in tune. I would like to take lessons, but cannot afford them. I want to tape my violin, just until the muscle memory comes into play. What are the “proper” measurements. I know that it is not & exact science, but was hoping someone could tell me. I read in one article that the measurements are as follows:
First tape: 1 5/16
Second tape: 2 9/16
Third tape; 3 1/8
Fourth tape: 4 1/4
Can anyone tell me if this if fairly accurate. I do not have a tuner, but have metronome that tunes at A440. Thanks to Everyone in Advance!!! =D

I’ve been playing the violin for about 9 years now, & I played piano for about a year when I was really young, so I know where the notes are & stuff (but I’m only proficient at reading treble cleft). Electric bass seems easier to learn with tabs than playing multiple chords on the piano. Which one should I choose to do?

Hi, I just got a violin for Christmas & have been trying to learn to play. I play piano & flute so I can read notes, but do not have the”ear” to tell if an instrument is in tune. I would like to take lessons, but cannot afford them. I want to tape my violin, just until the muscle memory comes into play. What are the “proper” measurements. I know that it is not & exact science, but was hoping someone could tell me. I read in one article that the measurements are as follows:
First tape: 1 5/16
Second tape: 2 9/16
Third tape; 3 1/8
Fourth tape: 4 1/4
Can anyone tell me if this if fairly accurate. I do not have a tuner, but have metronome that tunes at A440. Thanks to Everyone in Advance!!! =D

Ive taught myself guitar in the past, but now i would like to teach myself the violin, i would like to know how hard it is on a rating of 1-10 to teach yourself , what are the basics i need to learn, what are some easy songs to play, & if this http://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-Brass… or http://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-Brass… or http://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-Brass… would be ok as a violin as a begginers? thanks x please help as much as you can becuase i no nothing …… ill vote best answer….x

I just bought a brand new Randall RM20B amplifier for my electric violin. I have no experience with amps & I want to make my violin have that grinding sound that rockers use all the time. (i.e. Green Day, Aerosmith, Grateful Dead….) Does anyone know how to do this? Here’s the page that shows the specs of the amp. http://www.randallamplifiers.com/product…

Basically, I used to play violin in 3rd grade & I am really interested in it again but I wasn’t exactly sure if I would STAY in it because I already play, like, 8 instruments. So basically, I got this violin off of Ebay, because my parents really didn’t want to pay 1,000 dollars for something that they weren’t sure I wasn’t going to stick with. Here’s what I need help with:
Problems:
-the bow is too loose. I tightened it & put rosin on it, but it just makes a muffled noise that is barely audible.
-The freakin thing will not stay in tune! I restrung it, but I can’t even go from G to E without having to repeat it all over again. I finally got soooo tired of tuning the thing over & over for like 20 minutes that I stopped.
I am almost POSITIVE that the thing is a cheap imitation. I think we are going to send it back but I didn’t know if it was something I was doing wrong.
If somebody could help me that would be great!

I’ve played piano & viola/violin. Do you think it would be hard for me to learn electric guitar? I’m considering buying a second-hand one. So how do I know if it’s good?

I have an old violin. It’s a cheap instrument, has bad sound, doesn’t stay in tune, & is basically useless to me. I have a far better one that I have played for years. Anyways, I thought I could at least make it look nice with a cool paint job. Any tips on types of paint, or how to go about doing this?
I’m fully aware that it may not be playable after it is painted. But I have a high quality violin (not this one) that I play. I do not use this one. Haven’t in at least seven years. It’s a very poor quality instrument, I doubt I would even be able to sell it. But I have seen pictures of beautiful painted violins online, & seen several at various music events, & I would love for this violin to be like that. If it doesn’t sound good, at least it can look good.
Any input on how to actually do this is much appreciated!

I currently live in northern California, a relatively dry, cold place, & I use a humidifier for my acoustic violin. I plan on buying an electric violin from Shar Music, a wonderful company which I have bought from before, & which I’m sure many of you string players are familiar with. This is the violin:http://www.sharmusic.com/itemdy00.asp?t1…
I am not sure if it would need a humidifier because it has a plastic frame, but the main parts are wood. Can someone tell me please?? Thanks!