Wanna ask fellow violinist here, there's a question been bugging me for years~

There are some times, when I play E open string in a piece, there's another high pitch sound came out instead of E open string, what is the problem over here? I tried to do all sorts of things to fix it, it's still there O.O
The high pitch can be sustained even I change up/down bow LOL

Issit similar to a harmonics sound? try applying more pressure to the bow..?

It does not sound like harmonics, the sound is more firm than harmonics..
Applying bow pressure doesn't help, I tried to change bowing angle also there...

You never encounter before?

hmm.. not really sure which phenomenon your referring to.. XP Sorry!

it's okay.... Btw, what orchestra you're joining?

I used to play with KLPac but stopped cause of transportation issues. Might go back to play soon though!

the only "other" sound you'll expect from E string that sounds high pitch and not the E note, it's called the whistling phenomenon, which juoin was right - it sounds like harmonics.

it can be a technique problem, string problem, bow hair problem.

if you use plain steel E, try wounded E but they're more expensive. don't over rosin your bow. when you have fingered note on A string then immediately cross to E string, release your finger earlier or else you're hitting the E string with your skin on your finger touching the E string just so slightly, or tilt your left hand a little so the finger not touching the E string. you can also try other bow and see problem still persist to see if it's the problem with the bow hair especially when it's too old.

i wouldn't worry about it, it's the nature of playing the violin. one of the best loved violinist currently also did the same on live performance, around 3:15:



This post has been edited by little ice: Aug 24 2011, 10:57 AM

Is it Scott Cao's violin good?

I've heard that its not bad. Rumours really cause I haven't used one or heard one yet. =)

Little ice: what about position of sound post in a violin? There's a person, saw my sound post, then help me measure the position and adjust to that particular place.. Does it really affect?

it can be, but you have to pinpoint when it happened. if the E string problem happen after the sound post adjustment, then good chance it's the sound post causing the problem.

the purpose of adjusting sound post is when the sound post doesn't fit correctly, position is far wrong, tension too loose/tight. it will not cure the inherited problem with the E string. trying another bow or changing the E string is the easiest steps to troubleshoot the problem before you touch the sound post.

where can i see scott cao violin in malaysia??

According to website... the location is

Vibrante School of Music SDN BHD
No. 6 & 8 Jalan SS19/1G, 47500 Subang Jaya
Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
03-56384269
debbie@vibrante.net


what is the different between 4 fine and 1 fine? which one better?

Hi, every one.

I am planning to buy a new violin. If my budget is RM 6000, which violin is a better choice? China violin or European violin?

I was told that nowadays China violin is very good.

Where can I get a very good violin with that budget in PJ and KL?

Your information is very much appreciated in advance!

i don't have recommendations but since you posted here, you'll receive quite a bit of offer via PM.

for your budget, avoid old violins. go for new ones regardless of where it's made.

Its hard to give good recommendations just based on that. Like little ice said, avoid old violins that cost RM6000 cause they usually have problems that you may not notice at first.
Nowadays China violins are indeed quite good, but still, choose well and test the violin before buying it. Look out for any blemishes and also check the labels. =)

Thanks for your reply!

Ya, I am planning to buy a new one.

I read from here that sometimes the price of a violin will increase if it is made by someone who is very famous. Is it possible to buy a violin like that with my budget???

I would say its possible although very hard to find. I once bought a violin made by a famous German Luthier that cost around RM6000. But I was very lucky.
But that doesn't automatically make the violin very good though. Its all just a name that you can trade upon.

OIC. With my budget, what do you think I should expect from the violin?

clarity of tone, evenness across 4 strings, quick respond to bow, comfortable playing.

the rest are subjective.

never buy a violin with the expectation that violin not so good now but it'll sound better in the future. good violin will sound good from the very first day.