Since here no Strings thread.I try make one.

I play violin. Just started a month ago. Kinda like it.

Any strings player come and join.

Any Viola,Violin,Contrabass and Cello players are welcome!

IF one of you play one of those instruments, do pm me and i will add you in the list below.

Cello
-JiaYing

Contrabass
- Bassix

Violin
- Abang Brother
- kimmie
- yangxi
- ZidaneZCustom

Viola
- ?

This post has been edited by abang brother: Jun 30 2006, 01:05 AM

Any contrabass players? (assuming that contrabass is string instrument i am in the right thread rite?) I want to start playing contrabass and maybe if anyone can tell me what woods give nice tones and how much that big monster will cost it would be nice.

I think any string instrument in this family use mostly the same woods. So opinions from violin/viola/cello players would be appreciated. And also where to get advice/ buy these instruments?

Contrabass os also a string instruments?? EDITED THE TITLE.

Where you live?

actually from subang jaya. But now studying in Munich.

Where u got your violin from and how much?

I live at kuching. I bought it at my tuition centre and it is cost rm300+.

u go to IMH?

Ya. What about you?
When i first buy the Violin, i receive all equip of Violin.
And during the holidays, they got 4 free lesson.

This post has been edited by abang brother: Jun 20 2006, 10:00 AM

used to take violin there when i was really young. im not taking anymore lessons. im now more to guitars, drums, abit of bass and keyboard.

I have a violin my father bought last 2 years.. but never use before... i dont know how to tune it... i know its GDAE but the problem is when i turn the tuning peg it turns back ... and a very little turn on the tuning peg makes a lot of diffrent... is this normal? someone help me!

Yerp. It's normal. The tune will change when tu turn it.

It's more like piano. The more loose it is the more deeper the sound is.

This post has been edited by abang brother: Jun 20 2006, 07:45 PM

i think it also depends on the quality of the strings. I rememmber hearing somewhere, gut (sheeps gut normally) strings tend to be less elastic. Maybe that can be the problem why a little turning changes the pitch a lot. Dunno if it's true or not...

could be the construction of the violin itself. theyre not like guitar tuners which is very easy to tune. cheaper violins will have more problems.

It doesn't change alot, instead , it change only a little bit.


The violin doesnt make anything(I guess) but the string make it.

i was referring to the tuning peg turning back after tryin to turn it. it might be loose as its only wood and the string tension can be pulling it back. some violins are very tight its scary to tune them

Oh i see. That is so like my violin. My violin i pull it not that tight also can putus .. Have no quality .. and when i buy it .. something is missing on my violin..

does your violin have Built-in Adjusters?

recommend string. for newbie, more tahan.

hi~ i play the violin.....the tradisional wood one..i have a german made in 1995 2nd hand and still with me now.thinking of buying a electronic violin to play in the church..any recommendation?

German? Wow, that is sure an expensive one. An electronic? I think it will be too rocky and loud. Better use the tradisional more polite abit sound.

Oh ic.. okay .. thanks for it dude .. how much does it cost?? the last one i bought is only cost 1.80 .. no wonder no tahan

This post has been edited by abang brother: Jun 21 2006, 02:40 PM

dominant is one of the best brand.....one set of string would cost around rm120-200...but its more long lasting...there are two types..the normal and the soft string...soft string easier to break but more mellow sound...

my german violin i got it at good price..cause one of my teacher student got a new violin and didnt want it anymore..almost 4 years ago i brought it at 2500...which is preety good deal..i wanted an electronic cause church music with the electornic bass guitar and drums and easily drown the violin unless i play trio or duet...

This post has been edited by kimmie: Jun 21 2006, 03:21 PM

use a microphone (a good condensor mic...i recommend any of the condensor AKGs) to pick up the sound. And stand far away from the drums and bass. You can also use piezo pick ups. However a mixture of piezo and mic i find is the best. Electronic instruments tend to have a different sound...somehow...

better use mic if wanna use tradisional one ..

yerp .. the string of eletric violin is quite bigger then the original

thats true, but u have to see how big the stage is. usually in churches, musicians are really close together. its easier for communication as there will be alot of free worship parts (i guess u can call it improv?). u'll also need to solve the feedback problem using a condenser live. with drums, basses, guitars, etc i am sure therell be alot of stage monitors and amps on stage

in my church, we dont use monitors...hahaha....everybody just hantam oni.

Anyway, the experiences i had with condensor mics; the only time i had feedback problems were with percussions...otherwise, there's nothing you can't solve with a compressor.

And i guess you don't have to stand at the other corner of the room. But maybe if the drums and bass are on one side, try to stand on the other side. Musician placement is also very important. Most gigs i see, all the musicians cincai stand wherever they want, some even in front of the monitors blocking the rest. Then start complaining " cant hear this cant hear that... too loud etc etc".

So back to kimmie. I suggest u mic the violin up and place yourself as far away from the drums. Also, in-ear monitoring is helpful. Of course that's a luxury that many people dont have. Maybe try splitting the musicians up into 2 groups. Electrically amplified and mic amplified. That way, you have reduced feedback problems. Or if you are the only one who needs micing up, then maybe try piezo clip on pick ups. They won't give the best sound, but it's always a compromise in church bands....somehow....

*EDIT* Somehow i'm using the word "somehow" too often....somehow....

This post has been edited by Bassix: Jun 21 2006, 06:35 PM

ahahha thanks all for the feedback somehow i think it will help me

ahah. ... so what you gonan use to perform at the churh?

The Dominant strings i saw it's price is RM135...i think is consider cheaper already~~ coz i heard other ppl bought in RM140++..hehe~~ the shop is located in ss14, PJ.

This post has been edited by pizzicato: Jun 23 2006, 02:07 PM

Rm140++?my bought a string only cost 1.80 can still tahan abit longer (well ya.. my uncle use it about 2 years niow)

lasting is one thing....tone is another!

Man, i bought this cheap cost aroudn RM2.00 string just now and the sound is so different and not soft like before!!!

Okay... ellox.
I play the rare one - Cello.

yeahhh getting closer....just one more level to contrabass...

anybody playing contrabass??!!

U can buy from EUROSTRING (kl) , most of violin part can found there~.


recommend string (Nylon type)

mid range

Pirastro Tonica (RM180)


high performance

Pirastro Evah Pirazzi(RM220)



i'm the violinist , ATCL Performence student.

This post has been edited by yangxi: Jun 23 2006, 10:32 PM

Wow, Cello player!! The violin father hahah!


i will try search it when i aklrdy good enough. Now still sooo stupid .. playing the song My First Waltz also forgot the notes. .. You must be pro seh!

This post has been edited by abang brother: Jun 24 2006, 06:32 AM

thanks yangxi providing more info..wow..expert in violin.. i also don't know when myself only can get ATCL diploma..but then i'm pursuing ATCL piano..i'm still newbie in learning violin..grade1 only..haha~~

anyway,where is EUROSTRING (KL)? can provide address? thank you~~

Guys, I wanna ask . What is the differences between violin and Cello? Are the string more deeper sound?

sweat...
The size is like a HUGE comparisons, my dear. LOLx...
and they sound TOTALLY different.

The violin is like a baby kid, the viola is like a mother, the cello a.k.a violoncello is the father whilst the double bass a.k.a. contrabass is the grandfather... lolx.

That is funny lol!

Guys, can recommend a good string for newbie that cost below 50

I play the violin too! hehe

good string below 50? i don't think you can get a good string below that man...

the cheapest set of strings i bought was made in china and was about RM 25, from bentley.

well what can i say...the tone sucks...

what kind of violin do you guys use?

haha..That's true...no matter how sweet is the tone...if the string would get rust or brittle easily.....it's consider useless....unless u're a performer all the time who need better string....

btw...my friend is finding some higher-end quality string for his violin.....what brand should be the best?

Thanks.

Ya, the original string that i bought same as the violin tone is more good ..

you a senior of it seh? got a picture of ya violin?

I dunno my violin type loh ..

This post has been edited by abang brother: Jun 26 2006, 08:47 PM

Here is some of my violin picture...



Violin in my case with my learning book.


Whats wrong with this???

tuner NUT missing !! *does it came with like this when u buy?


*suggest don't put sticker on first position

Fingerings

My violin.

Handmade in China Guangzhou.
cost ~RM 5800

No it doesnt. Before i start studying, my parents bought it .. i was boring so i play with it .. then it gone

Im always forgot to put my fingers ... so that's why my teacher suggest me to put it ..

Later my parents said that they will buy a thousand ringgit violin ... What for with 2 Bows??

This post has been edited by abang brother: Jun 27 2006, 08:34 PM

2 bow ? light and heavy (different wood) .

This post has been edited by yangxi: Jun 27 2006, 08:42 PM

Guys, if there is no tuner nut, does it make any differences?

What for heavy and light??

This post has been edited by abang brother: Jun 27 2006, 08:42 PM

hey,my violin Handmade in German cost RM5500. Is it expensive?? without certificate certify it...Antonio brand..I scare i kena tipu..

yangxi, your violin got certificate or not?? is it important to have certificate for a expensive violin?? without certificate but cost RM5500 not worth??

This post has been edited by pizzicato: Jun 27 2006, 11:08 PM

if there's no tuner nut means you can't fine tune...would be harder to tune the violin using just the peg

Violinst reporting in.

I use Zeta electric violins and Eurostring for acoustic violin.

Very freaking hard I can say..

zeta violin? mighty cool!.. where did ya get it? any pics of it?

http://www.zetamusic.com/

It's expensive. About RM10k above for one at least. Well, I don't have. I just said that I use Zeta to suit my favor.

Handmade German?? RM5500.. its worth for that far from german ..


Oh my god .. i try search it but it doesnt avaiable at my tuition center .. no wonder my violin souind so bad


10k?? oh my god .. Zidane .. what do you play?

One last thing guys, please pm me your name if you play one of those string instruments..

Editted: if could, take a picture of your instruments

This post has been edited by abang brother: Jun 28 2006, 02:50 PM

yeah haha....you play in some ochestra or something zidane?..10k violin man...but those zetas are beautiful!

i'll take a pic of my violin once i get my camera working

Sounds bad or out of tune? It's just a the nut only what. Try to search some music instrument parts store.

I play Yellowcard and some little classical.

Well, I only have one acoustic violin. Photos won't be available by the moment, actually noting special for me to take for my violin.

Hehe, I don't play in orchestra. But I do play it myself somehow...with the classical music on and play along with it.

Well everybody, don't get exicted, I don't have a Zeta. I wish I have one.

I hope it will be fine .. btw .. you violinist?


Like yeah Kuching got ..

how much does it cost actually


you play how many songs now??

And guys, if you buy something for your strings instruments .. do post the picture and it cost if could ..

ure studying in IMH right? they have it. when i was learning violin there when i was young i got most my stuff from them. just go and ask them. who's ur violin teacher? cant remember her name but is are the two russian ladies still teaching violin there? theyre both really good.

btw, my sis owns a custom german made violin. cant remember how much it cost her but sounds awesome

I did ask them but they said they dont have stock yet. My teacher is a russian well let say his country before was Russia. They really are good.

whats your teacher's name?

Pity you..Well, I don't know. But a small part like that I think it's cheap.

Almost all the Yellowcard songs (about 40) and classical like got more than 30.

For Yellowcard music, I use my ear to listen and play it out. For classical, I use sheet music.

his name is so russianish .. so hard to remember ..


You know the notes when you hear it only?

you dont even know ur teacher's name

His name kinda like Jossha or Is it george. Forgot loh ..

Why you quite violin seh echobrainproject?

No la, like have to listen about few times or if difficult, it will make me listen about 100 times to get the correct note.

For me, the best way and easier for your music education, take theory lesson, it helped me a lot. Especially the ear test.

That's me back in my childhood days.

Theory. Just bought that book. The camera will come in tommorow ..

Btw, what is ear test?

i quit because violin isnt my thing. it doesnt mean i stop doing music. im now a guitarist, bassist, drummer. can play abit of keyboards and am into recording. i perform alot and play for alot of diff people and i am enjoying it so much more than when i was a violinist.

Ear test is an exam thing.

Where the examiner will play some violin notes and you stand at the back and you tell the examiner the note. It's actually to test your listening skill.

how much they charge u for beginner price of learning violin??russian...hmm..expensive?

OMG!! If we cant tell??

Im bad at listening


Last holiday(the 2 weeks holiday), i register and got 4 free lesson..

Also i go thru many website to learn violin abit .. but i still dunno how to hold bow .. everytime i hold must hard for me to hold

This post has been edited by abang brother: Jun 29 2006, 09:39 PM

its quite a known music school here in kuching. price is standard. i think beginners is like rm50 or 60. it increases as the grades go up.

edit: they have links to a number of overseas unis

This post has been edited by echobrainproject: Jun 29 2006, 10:05 PM

Slowly my friend. It will be easy if you "rajin" learn violin.

Whoa. Eh, how long you have learned?

Not long, not a year. But my skill are getting worst if i didnt attend to class.

IMH is a music tuition centre but most people come there to learn classical instruments. Some may go to other centre. Btw, echobraingproject, where you learn? BnB?

i played the piano and the electone organ for 8 years. I'm interested to play the violin but i know nothing about them. I'm planning to learn it from books since most probably I couldn't hire a teacher anymore due to my studies. Currently i'm learning it from some various websites. Can someone recommend some books (or websites) for beginners? I can read score sheets though.

Another stupid question. My mum just bought a violin for my birthday and it's still brand new. As far as i know, you have to wipe the bowstrings with rosin first. Usually how long should i wipe it? I have tried wiping for sometime but still couldn't hear any actual sound.

Slowly then, don't have to rush.

I see. Well, Suzuki books will be good. You can find them almost all the music store.

For the first time, you have to wipe a lot of times. After that you try to bow it on the string, if doesn't come out the correct sound, wipe it until it comes. It usual wipe like until 30 minutes. Yes, you are 30 minutes, it is long for a new bow.

But remember, you have to wipe it everytime you play (after the new 30 minutes wipe). Wipe about 1 minute, don't wipe too little and don't wipe too much.

Good luck.

I have to wipe it for 30min? I thought i only need to wipe it for a few seconds. How silly of me. Ok thanks a lot

abang brother, i dont go to music school anymore (but am constantly learning). not intending to be boastful, but i am performing and doing some session works part time. nothing big though.

IMH is something like ICOM too. they have programmes where u can even continue at local and overseas universities. my sister did from grade 1 to diploma to part of her degree before finishing her degree in australia with honours.

amacharu, my advice would be get a violin teacher. proper techniques is crucial for violin playing. its not really like guitar where u can just browse online and be able to play. also, u need a teacher to tell u alot of things beginners would not bother, like intonation which is very different from piano or organ where a slight move of ur finger will make the note sharp/flat

I really suggest you to hire a violinist teacher to teach you. Sometimes teachers is more knowledge then books.

Can i see your rosin type? Most type is different on how they use.

This post has been edited by abang brother: Jun 29 2006, 11:00 PM

Hehe, you're welcome.

Zidanez, any of your violin picture yet?

This post has been edited by abang brother: Jun 29 2006, 11:15 PM

There you go..

That's me, a concept shot. But no, I won't take a photo of my violin.

How much does it cost btw? (except the human) .. just take your picture of violin la ..

Except the human! LoL!

About RM600, comes with case, rosing and bow.

No way, really. My violin right now is in bad condition, the secret cannot be revealed

Are you gonna buy a new one or fixing it..

Just tell la /... if dun wan violin case ,lesson book,rosin and bow is enough too ... my violin oso bad

This post has been edited by abang brother: Jun 29 2006, 11:44 PM

Yes, aiming for a Fender violin. I just have posted in the instrument price list thread. Go check it out. If I'm rich in sudden, I will get a Zeta Stardos of course. For acoustic, I'll think I'll buy the same brand, Eurostring.

Well, I love violins. Violins are like my heart. One day, fall onto the floor and

My violin fall on floor 2 times. Got crack below it.. when i putting my hand at the string .. easyliy fall ..

Now keep playing on my bed ..

Guys, shoulder wrest, is it nessacary?

Why not practice holding violin first in the first lesson? It is the most important thing to hold your violin in 100% tight.

Playing violin on your bed? Hehe, do you believe I play violin jumping here and jumping there?

It's shoulder REST. Yes and no, depends how you hold your violin and your own chin and shoulder preferenece.

Oh yeah, on my violin, I took out my chin rest and only play it with shoulder rest soft-modified. Ah yes, I can post that someday too.

I do hold tightly, the prob is that i dun have concertration holding it and my thoughts only thing fall fall fall...

I believe you cal play jump jump because pro can do that..

Ooo...then play it slowly lo, cannot rush geh. Violins are like girls to me. But the crack on my violin.. Small instrument, that's makes me think of it.

Do you know Yellowcard? I learn all the gimmicks from that violinst.

This post has been edited by ZidaneZCustom: Jun 30 2006, 12:00 AM

When there is a crack, got effect on the sound or not?

Yellowcard is a violinist? I think its the band.. Btw, i only watch Vanessa Mae.