Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Hi,
I'm getting persistent irritating squeeks coming out of my E string. I believe that my contact is generally good, and hasn't changed recently, whereas the squeeks have only recently appeared. I used to only get the problem with vision strings which I gave up rapidly. I hate the sound of Dominants. I have been using Helicores for the rest of the time for the last 5 years, but the wound E which has been thus far reliable is now squeeking like hell. Can anyone recommend me other strings or advice. The E is the weekest string on my fiddle and sounds thinner tonally than the other 3 strings, so try to balance that out in my strings, and the wound Helicore E did seem to do that until recently. Any ideas?
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Llig:
Nah, it just means I don't like their naturally loud brash nasal sound - and their Es are notoriously horrible. To my mind they seem to be more for the standard orchestral player, or perhaps those in the session with a tendency to want to be heard.
Ionannas:
Yup. Cleaned the string, then changed it, then cleaned the newer one. My old helicore two changes ago, which had lost its wound sheath over the finger board area, sounded better when I put it back on! I generally give them a good play in, so I don't really understand it. Cheers for the suggestion, I've never tried the Eudoxas.
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Some more things to consider (in no particular order).
1) Bow hairs - are they getting worn out?
2) Get another player, more experienced than yourself, to see if he can reproduce those squeaks on your fiddle with your bow, and then with his bow.
3) Pirastro make a wound E primarily for use with their bare gut A. It's notoriously difficult to slur from a note on a bare gut A onto an open E without squeaking or "ghosting" (no sound at all, and then it kicks in almost with a bang). It's an excellent string with a good solid tone that works well with non-gut, but it's not over-bright.
4) Perhaps bowing technique needs to be looked at - this may be indicated if the experienced player in (2) doesn't get the problem with your fiddle and bow. Like all technique in music, things can slip over time without the player (at any level) necessarily being aware that things are going wrong until it becomes obvious, and then it can be anything but obvious what the solution is. This is where lessons with a good violin teacher (preferably independent) can be money well spent. It's worked with me.
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
This is very interesting because I have experienced exactly the same thing with my helicore E string--and it started only recently and I have never had a problem with these E strings before. My strings are about 2 months old now and its time to replace them (I have to replace the A string every month because it unravels).
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Leoj:
I have to say that a bad batch was exactly what I thought having had no problems in the past, but it might not be a batch, it might be a slight design change, perhaps for economic reasons? Whatever the case, it is certainly weird that an old helicore put back on didn't cause the problem. As it stands, i'm loath to buy yet another wound E, and am tempted to use this as an opportunity to try some other strings.
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
1) Bow hairs - are they getting worn out?
Yes they are, but its the same using a different bow.
2) Get another player, more experienced than yourself, to see if he can reproduce those squeaks on your fiddle with your bow, and then with his bow.
Will do.
3) & 4) Physically speaking its always going to be more difficult to attack and initiate a normal string resonance (as opposed to a harmonic "squeak" or, worse, ghosting the note) when slurring into the E from an A string, and that is certainly when it is particularly happening. Its just strange that its doing it with a string I've used for so long and not had problems with, and if it was technique, why would an old helicore not do it? I'm prepared to except my technique might have slipped though, and do do string crossing exercises, working on bow control when I feel it is weakness that might need worked on. Cheers for the suggestions though, I'll look those strings up.
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
I have several more E strings in my case already so I will replace the string and see if the squeaky sound returns, but like I said, I actually haven't had any problems until recently. Since then the string has misbehaved a number of times and I suspect it 's worn out. But, strange that you have had the same problem! I was wondering if it was just me and I'm glad it's not.
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
imo squeaks are usually either
a) you are bowing "crooked" - not straight enough over the strings
or
b) getting incidental contact from a left hand finger (for me can happen if I am doing fast fingerwork across 2 strings) - sometimes you don't even realize you're touching the other string until you hear the squeak
fwiw I have a set of dominants on my fiddle and I'm not really liking them - makes my head ring like I've been playing banjo all night LOL I think it just depends on the acoustics of your particular fiddle - dominants set my whole fiddle ringing with sympathetic tones...
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
The thing is that I've been using these strings for years and the squeak was not your usual squeaky sound, it was something different and it recurred even after paying close attention to my technique. Definitely the string in this case.
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Having played violin since I was 6yo and fiddle for the last 6 or 7 years, I'd hope my technique in terms of string contact wasn't too bad. I fully accept that standards can slip, but I kind of employ an "identify and work your weaknesses" method to keeping up to scratch (attempts to get taught by folk in Edinburgh have been unsuccesful, and there's bugger all people teaching in Dundee). As part of that I work quite alot on string crossing, especially different slurred patterns in small sections of string crossing. The thing that is unusual about this is that it happens when playing slowly, paying particular attention to string crossing well, with a straight bow and a good contact when I'm not trying to play ornaments. I tried yet another bow, which had alot more hair than my usual, or my spare bow, and that made a definite improvement, however, the screech was still appearing. I've found an old helicore, which still has a sheath intact, and that one is again absolutely fine, no screech. Its a little dull as its a very well used string, but its better than getting the screeches. I'm probably going to try a different E based on some of the suggestions above.
With regard to the Dominants, i've never enjoyed them. I guess its just personal preference. They can sound quite beefy and brash, and are definitely quite a loud string, which I found can stick out quite alot in the session in an uncomplimentary way. Of course, if you use a Soil Stradivarius, like Itzhak Perlman, the sound you'll get out of Dominant strings is going to be inevitably good, all be it ditching the horrible Dominant E and using a Gold label E. If, like me, you have a fairly mediocre brash sounding inexpensive violin, then putting tonally brash strings on it is asking for an unaesthetic result. Out of interest, here's a list of what soloists have been using over the years. There's a lot of string mixing going on!
Jascha Heifetz : Goldbrokat Medium E, Plain Gut A&D, Wound G (don’t know the brand). That he used until the end of his performing career judging by the album photos from the 1960’s that I saw.
Nathan Milstein : Same as Heifetz in the 1950’s with a Eudoxa G, but he moved to using an Eudoxa G&D, plain gut A and Goldbrokat E in the 1960’s. I have been told by someone who saw him in the 1970’s that by then he was using an Eudoxa A as well.
Zino Francescatti : From an album from the late 50’s or early 60’s that I saw, he was using a Eudoxa G, Kaplan Silver D, Eudoxa A and Goldbrokat Medium E.
David Oistrakh : Eudoxa D and G, Prim Steel A (or Chromecore) and a Prim E.
* On a historical note here, the first person to use and recommend the use of a steel A with two wound gut core lower strings was Carl Flesch.
Arthur Grumiaux : Used an Eudoxa A, D, G. Couldn’t figure out the E. In the 1970’s, I saw a cover where he used the Eudoxa steel A, and gut on the two lower strings.
Henryk Szeryng : Used a Eudoxa D and G, a Kaplan A and either a Gold Label E or Kaplan E (they look so alike!). He did also use Olives for the D and G, and on the last filmed broadcast he did for Radio-Canada, he used Olive D and G, plain gut A and a Gold Label E from what I could tell.
Isaac Stern : Used the Eudoxa A, D, G and a Goldbrokat Medium E. Later in his career he kept the E but switched to Dominants.
Frank Peter Zimmerman : Uses Olives for the A, D, G and a Hill E.
Thomas Zehetmair : Unless he has changed, he use to use a full set of Olives.
Pinchas Zukerman : Used Eudoxas until the Dominants came out which he still uses (including the E, I think...). He was the first soloist to switch to Dominants.
Itzhak Perlman : Used Eudoxa in his early career than switched to the traditional combo of Dominants with the Gold Label E.
Hilary Hahn : Dominants with a Gold Label E.
Maxim Vengerov : Used to use Dominants but recently switched to a full set of Pirazzi.
Vadim Repin : Don’t know what he used before but he is currently playing on a full set of Pirazzi.
Ilya Gringolts : He uses Evah Pirazzi at the moment.
Gil Shaham : Uses Dominants and a Jargar E (don’t know which gauge).
Midori : Uses Dominants and had a Synoxa E for a while, but it could also be Jargar Forte E which looks similar.
Stefan Jackiw : Uses Dominants and a Jargar Forte E.
Ricci: Now using Vision strings (thanks for Buri for letting me know - he saw it in Strad magazine). In the past he has played Dominants, and before that, Eudoxa.
Anne-Sophie Mutter: Infeld Blue with some kind of E... looks like a Gold Label or Golden Spiral.
Joshua Bell: Now listed by Pirastro as a Pirazzi user.
Julian Rachlin: Said on this site that he uses Tonica D&G with a Jargar A and a Kaplan Golden Spiral E.
Cho-Liang Lin: Started his career on Eudoxa, but quickly switched to Dominants (including the E as I saw on an old CBS LP cover), and is now using Infelds which he finds more reliable (according to his statements in Strings magazine).
Aaron Rosand: Listed on the Pirastro site as now using Tonica Weich (Silver D) since the late 90's. Strange though as he swore by the traditional Eudoxa G&D and the pure gut A with some E until then. Even forced his own students to use that string setup.
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Dominants are horrible on a lot of instruments, they make my Russian rounded edge style jobby sound like a tin box, and I think almost everyone hates the E, I don't know why they dont change it. I use Correll Crystal strings mostly because they are cheap, seem almost as tough as Dominants and tone down the brightness of my instrument and give it more warmth and depth. The Crystal E is OK but then who has an E string they really love?
The Kaplan special non-whistling E definitely works, I used to use one as it cut down on the horrible screeching my bad technique used to generate as a beginner! I don't use one now as its tone is overall quite muted and it sounds too quiet in comparison to the other strings.
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
myparasgon:
"Of course they don't play jigs and reels." Your point being? Outwith vibrato, the tone shouldn't be any different, unless the techinique is heterogenous!
Please enlighten me on here as to teachers!
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
sorry about that just a wee joke what kind of teaching are you requiring as you seem to be an acomplished player already the girl i know does teach violin she is is into classical stuff but can play folk music, i take it you are familiar with mike ward in vintage strings who is an excellent fiddler and knows a thing or two about violins.
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Wow, stellar work there Jamie... fair play to you. Interesting that Even the Eudoxa folk dont use the Eudoxa E! hmmm. will try that Goldbroke E string!... Ive only used the wound E now for years, I just find it suits me but I am prepared to change! I actually hate it when they offer like medium heavy and light! how the feck do I know which is going to suit me best?! buy all three I suppose!
I tried the Pirazzi but didnt like them much, too edgy for me, I love the warmth from them old gut strings. I actually have a huge supply of strings now after buying up a job lot from a luthier closing down sale, 1 pound a string! mostly hopf and pirastro. but not enough A strings and E's in comparison.I normally get my strings from gostrings.com. very fast and cheapest available, like less than a week from the states to Ireland!
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Just ordered some of those goldbroke... cheap huh? aluminium wound like the pirastro but 1/4 of the price! handy for emergency backup even if I dont really like them I guess. bought the 26 and 27.
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
myparasgon:
Aye. I know Mike well, he's a close friend. He doesn't teach, despite pleading. He is amenable to swapping a few tunes in his shop, and I suffice myself with that, and whatever techinical ideas I can glean, either tacitly, or, on a really good day, explicitly, if he feels like describing what he's techinically trying to do.
The most well known classical teacher in Dundee was Sue Jarvis, whose retired now. There are a few others i've heard about, but they seem to be fairly not orientated toward trad music, and are predominantly teachers of younger kids. Whats her name?
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Ionannas:
Hi. I have to confess, it was not my work. I pinched it from a classical music string website. It is fascinating though isn't it! I might try a Goldbrok E as well....
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
jamie if you go to sessions in the the dundee area you will know derek mcfadgen button box player his daughter miriam teaches but i think its classical mike ward did do a stint of teaching years ago at the friary used to be a great place but all finished now.
Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Hi,
I'm getting persistent irritating squeeks coming out of my E string. I believe that my contact is generally good, and hasn't changed recently, whereas the squeeks have only recently appeared. I used to only get the problem with vision strings which I gave up rapidly. I hate the sound of Dominants. I have been using Helicores for the rest of the time for the last 5 years, but the wound E which has been thus far reliable is now squeeking like hell. Can anyone recommend me other strings or advice. The E is the weekest string on my fiddle and sounds thinner tonally than the other 3 strings, so try to balance that out in my strings, and the wound Helicore E did seem to do that until recently. Any ideas?
Cheers
J
# Posted on March 19th 2009 by Jamie
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
So you mean it is sounding like a set of uilleann pipes, with a squeaky crap E?
Hope the gig the other night went well.
# Posted on March 19th 2009 by TheSilverSpear
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
I f you hate the sound og dominants it just means you can't play them
# Posted on March 19th 2009 by llig leahcim
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
New string?
Pirastro Eudoxa top E is my string of choice.
Clean the string?
# Posted on March 19th 2009 by the wicked hacker
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Clean the string, remove the rosin with alcohol.
Try a Lenzner Goldbrokat E. Powerful, cheap, lasts for ages.
# Posted on March 19th 2009 by Henk Bos
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Wondertone Solo E is my choice
Mary
# Posted on March 19th 2009 by Antikhntr
Squeaky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
This worked for me and at least a couple of others who went for a Thomastic Superflexible -
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/18340/comments
# Posted on March 19th 2009 by domnull
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Llig:
Nah, it just means I don't like their naturally loud brash nasal sound - and their Es are notoriously horrible. To my mind they seem to be more for the standard orchestral player, or perhaps those in the session with a tendency to want to be heard.
Ionannas:
Yup. Cleaned the string, then changed it, then cleaned the newer one. My old helicore two changes ago, which had lost its wound sheath over the finger board area, sounded better when I put it back on! I generally give them a good play in, so I don't really understand it. Cheers for the suggestion, I've never tried the Eudoxas.
# Posted on March 19th 2009 by Jamie
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Some more things to consider (in no particular order).
1) Bow hairs - are they getting worn out?
2) Get another player, more experienced than yourself, to see if he can reproduce those squeaks on your fiddle with your bow, and then with his bow.
3) Pirastro make a wound E primarily for use with their bare gut A. It's notoriously difficult to slur from a note on a bare gut A onto an open E without squeaking or "ghosting" (no sound at all, and then it kicks in almost with a bang). It's an excellent string with a good solid tone that works well with non-gut, but it's not over-bright.
4) Perhaps bowing technique needs to be looked at - this may be indicated if the experienced player in (2) doesn't get the problem with your fiddle and bow. Like all technique in music, things can slip over time without the player (at any level) necessarily being aware that things are going wrong until it becomes obvious, and then it can be anything but obvious what the solution is. This is where lessons with a good violin teacher (preferably independent) can be money well spent. It's worked with me.
# Posted on March 19th 2009 by lazyhound
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
This is very interesting because I have experienced exactly the same thing with my helicore E string--and it started only recently and I have never had a problem with these E strings before. My strings are about 2 months old now and its time to replace them (I have to replace the A string every month because it unravels).
It could be a bad batch of E strings.
# Posted on March 19th 2009 by leoj
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Leoj:
I have to say that a bad batch was exactly what I thought having had no problems in the past, but it might not be a batch, it might be a slight design change, perhaps for economic reasons? Whatever the case, it is certainly weird that an old helicore put back on didn't cause the problem. As it stands, i'm loath to buy yet another wound E, and am tempted to use this as an opportunity to try some other strings.
# Posted on March 19th 2009 by Jamie
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Hi SilverSpear,
Yes, the string is definitely squeaking like a very unhappy reed........
Gig was great fun, and got another Edinburgh gig out of it too.
See you soon!
# Posted on March 20th 2009 by Jamie
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
1) Bow hairs - are they getting worn out?
Yes they are, but its the same using a different bow.
2) Get another player, more experienced than yourself, to see if he can reproduce those squeaks on your fiddle with your bow, and then with his bow.
Will do.
3) & 4) Physically speaking its always going to be more difficult to attack and initiate a normal string resonance (as opposed to a harmonic "squeak" or, worse, ghosting the note) when slurring into the E from an A string, and that is certainly when it is particularly happening. Its just strange that its doing it with a string I've used for so long and not had problems with, and if it was technique, why would an old helicore not do it? I'm prepared to except my technique might have slipped though, and do do string crossing exercises, working on bow control when I feel it is weakness that might need worked on. Cheers for the suggestions though, I'll look those strings up.
# Posted on March 20th 2009 by Jamie
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
I have several more E strings in my case already so I will replace the string and see if the squeaky sound returns, but like I said, I actually haven't had any problems until recently. Since then the string has misbehaved a number of times and I suspect it 's worn out. But, strange that you have had the same problem! I was wondering if it was just me and I'm glad it's not.
# Posted on March 20th 2009 by leoj
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Could be a rosin thing too combined with a change in the weather
# Posted on March 20th 2009 by Hup
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
I got rid of a squeak that used to occur when bowing from the A string onto the E by changing to salt and pepper bow hair.
# Posted on March 20th 2009 by fiddlercjp
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
E strings squeek.
A strings squeak
# Posted on March 20th 2009 by OrganicPeatCreature
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
box of matches and an insurance claim.
# Posted on March 20th 2009 by myparasgon
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
imo squeaks are usually either
a) you are bowing "crooked" - not straight enough over the strings
or
b) getting incidental contact from a left hand finger (for me can happen if I am doing fast fingerwork across 2 strings) - sometimes you don't even realize you're touching the other string until you hear the squeak
fwiw I have a set of dominants on my fiddle and I'm not really liking them - makes my head ring like I've been playing banjo all night LOL I think it just depends on the acoustics of your particular fiddle - dominants set my whole fiddle ringing with sympathetic tones...
hth
peace,
robyn
# Posted on March 21st 2009 by thejigisup
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
I look forward to the day when I am good enough on the fiddle to blame my squeaks on the strings.
# Posted on March 21st 2009 by OrganicPeatCreature
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
The thing is that I've been using these strings for years and the squeak was not your usual squeaky sound, it was something different and it recurred even after paying close attention to my technique. Definitely the string in this case.
# Posted on March 21st 2009 by leoj
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Having played violin since I was 6yo and fiddle for the last 6 or 7 years, I'd hope my technique in terms of string contact wasn't too bad. I fully accept that standards can slip, but I kind of employ an "identify and work your weaknesses" method to keeping up to scratch (attempts to get taught by folk in Edinburgh have been unsuccesful, and there's bugger all people teaching in Dundee). As part of that I work quite alot on string crossing, especially different slurred patterns in small sections of string crossing. The thing that is unusual about this is that it happens when playing slowly, paying particular attention to string crossing well, with a straight bow and a good contact when I'm not trying to play ornaments. I tried yet another bow, which had alot more hair than my usual, or my spare bow, and that made a definite improvement, however, the screech was still appearing. I've found an old helicore, which still has a sheath intact, and that one is again absolutely fine, no screech. Its a little dull as its a very well used string, but its better than getting the screeches. I'm probably going to try a different E based on some of the suggestions above.
With regard to the Dominants, i've never enjoyed them. I guess its just personal preference. They can sound quite beefy and brash, and are definitely quite a loud string, which I found can stick out quite alot in the session in an uncomplimentary way. Of course, if you use a Soil Stradivarius, like Itzhak Perlman, the sound you'll get out of Dominant strings is going to be inevitably good, all be it ditching the horrible Dominant E and using a Gold label E. If, like me, you have a fairly mediocre brash sounding inexpensive violin, then putting tonally brash strings on it is asking for an unaesthetic result. Out of interest, here's a list of what soloists have been using over the years. There's a lot of string mixing going on!
Jascha Heifetz : Goldbrokat Medium E, Plain Gut A&D, Wound G (don’t know the brand). That he used until the end of his performing career judging by the album photos from the 1960’s that I saw.
Nathan Milstein : Same as Heifetz in the 1950’s with a Eudoxa G, but he moved to using an Eudoxa G&D, plain gut A and Goldbrokat E in the 1960’s. I have been told by someone who saw him in the 1970’s that by then he was using an Eudoxa A as well.
Zino Francescatti : From an album from the late 50’s or early 60’s that I saw, he was using a Eudoxa G, Kaplan Silver D, Eudoxa A and Goldbrokat Medium E.
David Oistrakh : Eudoxa D and G, Prim Steel A (or Chromecore) and a Prim E.
* On a historical note here, the first person to use and recommend the use of a steel A with two wound gut core lower strings was Carl Flesch.
Arthur Grumiaux : Used an Eudoxa A, D, G. Couldn’t figure out the E. In the 1970’s, I saw a cover where he used the Eudoxa steel A, and gut on the two lower strings.
Henryk Szeryng : Used a Eudoxa D and G, a Kaplan A and either a Gold Label E or Kaplan E (they look so alike!). He did also use Olives for the D and G, and on the last filmed broadcast he did for Radio-Canada, he used Olive D and G, plain gut A and a Gold Label E from what I could tell.
Isaac Stern : Used the Eudoxa A, D, G and a Goldbrokat Medium E. Later in his career he kept the E but switched to Dominants.
Frank Peter Zimmerman : Uses Olives for the A, D, G and a Hill E.
Thomas Zehetmair : Unless he has changed, he use to use a full set of Olives.
Pinchas Zukerman : Used Eudoxas until the Dominants came out which he still uses (including the E, I think...). He was the first soloist to switch to Dominants.
Itzhak Perlman : Used Eudoxa in his early career than switched to the traditional combo of Dominants with the Gold Label E.
Hilary Hahn : Dominants with a Gold Label E.
Maxim Vengerov : Used to use Dominants but recently switched to a full set of Pirazzi.
Vadim Repin : Don’t know what he used before but he is currently playing on a full set of Pirazzi.
Ilya Gringolts : He uses Evah Pirazzi at the moment.
Gil Shaham : Uses Dominants and a Jargar E (don’t know which gauge).
Midori : Uses Dominants and had a Synoxa E for a while, but it could also be Jargar Forte E which looks similar.
Stefan Jackiw : Uses Dominants and a Jargar Forte E.
Ricci: Now using Vision strings (thanks for Buri for letting me know - he saw it in Strad magazine). In the past he has played Dominants, and before that, Eudoxa.
Anne-Sophie Mutter: Infeld Blue with some kind of E... looks like a Gold Label or Golden Spiral.
Joshua Bell: Now listed by Pirastro as a Pirazzi user.
Julian Rachlin: Said on this site that he uses Tonica D&G with a Jargar A and a Kaplan Golden Spiral E.
Cho-Liang Lin: Started his career on Eudoxa, but quickly switched to Dominants (including the E as I saw on an old CBS LP cover), and is now using Infelds which he finds more reliable (according to his statements in Strings magazine).
Aaron Rosand: Listed on the Pirastro site as now using Tonica Weich (Silver D) since the late 90's. Strange though as he swore by the traditional Eudoxa G&D and the pure gut A with some E until then. Even forced his own students to use that string setup.
# Posted on March 21st 2009 by Jamie
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
do we take it all these players play jigs and reels
# Posted on March 21st 2009 by myparasgon
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
there are fiddle teachers in dundee as well i know one well
# Posted on March 21st 2009 by myparasgon
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Dominants are horrible on a lot of instruments, they make my Russian rounded edge style jobby sound like a tin box, and I think almost everyone hates the E, I don't know why they dont change it. I use Correll Crystal strings mostly because they are cheap, seem almost as tough as Dominants and tone down the brightness of my instrument and give it more warmth and depth. The Crystal E is OK but then who has an E string they really love?
The Kaplan special non-whistling E definitely works, I used to use one as it cut down on the horrible screeching my bad technique used to generate as a beginner! I don't use one now as its tone is overall quite muted and it sounds too quiet in comparison to the other strings.
# Posted on March 21st 2009 by TinWhistleSamurai
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
myparasgon:
"Of course they don't play jigs and reels." Your point being? Outwith vibrato, the tone shouldn't be any different, unless the techinique is heterogenous!
Please enlighten me on here as to teachers!
# Posted on March 21st 2009 by Jamie
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
sorry about that just a wee joke what kind of teaching are you requiring as you seem to be an acomplished player already the girl i know does teach violin she is is into classical stuff but can play folk music, i take it you are familiar with mike ward in vintage strings who is an excellent fiddler and knows a thing or two about violins.
# Posted on March 21st 2009 by myparasgon
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Wow, stellar work there Jamie... fair play to you. Interesting that Even the Eudoxa folk dont use the Eudoxa E! hmmm. will try that Goldbroke E string!... Ive only used the wound E now for years, I just find it suits me but I am prepared to change! I actually hate it when they offer like medium heavy and light! how the feck do I know which is going to suit me best?! buy all three I suppose!
I tried the Pirazzi but didnt like them much, too edgy for me, I love the warmth from them old gut strings. I actually have a huge supply of strings now after buying up a job lot from a luthier closing down sale, 1 pound a string! mostly hopf and pirastro. but not enough A strings and E's in comparison.I normally get my strings from gostrings.com. very fast and cheapest available, like less than a week from the states to Ireland!
# Posted on March 22nd 2009 by the wicked hacker
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Just ordered some of those goldbroke... cheap huh? aluminium wound like the pirastro but 1/4 of the price! handy for emergency backup even if I dont really like them I guess. bought the 26 and 27.
# Posted on March 22nd 2009 by the wicked hacker
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
myparasgon:
Aye. I know Mike well, he's a close friend. He doesn't teach, despite pleading. He is amenable to swapping a few tunes in his shop, and I suffice myself with that, and whatever techinical ideas I can glean, either tacitly, or, on a really good day, explicitly, if he feels like describing what he's techinically trying to do.
The most well known classical teacher in Dundee was Sue Jarvis, whose retired now. There are a few others i've heard about, but they seem to be fairly not orientated toward trad music, and are predominantly teachers of younger kids. Whats her name?
# Posted on March 22nd 2009 by Jamie
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
Ionannas:
Hi. I have to confess, it was not my work. I pinched it from a classical music string website. It is fascinating though isn't it! I might try a Goldbrok E as well....
# Posted on March 22nd 2009 by Jamie
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
jamie if you go to sessions in the the dundee area you will know derek mcfadgen button box player his daughter miriam teaches but i think its classical mike ward did do a stint of teaching years ago at the friary used to be a great place but all finished now.
# Posted on March 22nd 2009 by myparasgon
Re: Squeeky E syndrome on the fiddle - string help needed
strings arrived. ordered late evening of 22nd. USA to Ireland. 5 days.cheapest price on the net! Gostrings!
# Posted on March 27th 2009 by the wicked hacker