A Guide to Violin Strings
The type of strings used on a violin has a great effect on the
sound of the instrument. Different kinds of strings can have
different tones and sound quality. Also, strings made of some
materials stay in tune longer and often last longer than others.
The three most common types of violin strings are all metal
strings, synthetic core strings, and gut strings.
All metal, or steel core strings are known for their volume and
their pure, clear tone. They have great pitch stability and stay
in tune even after they are first put on the violin. Many
country, bluegrass, and jazz players prefer to use steel core
violin strings because their simple and direct sound does not
have the complex overtones found on some other sets of strings.
Steel core strings are the easiest to play and are popular among
beginning and intermediate level players. One criticism of steel
core violin strings is that they can have a slightly thin or
metallic sound that is not well suited to classical music.
Synthetic core strings are usually made of a type of nylon
called perlon. They have a thick, rich sound that is subtler
than steel core strings. New synthetic core strings have less
pitch stability than steel core strings and take a day or two to
properly stretch out and stay in tune. Once they have
stabilized, they do not need to be tuned often and have a good,
consistent tone.
Gut core strings are known for having the warmest, most complex
sound of any violin strings. Most classical players and soloists
prefer gut core strings for their rich overtones. Gut core
strings are not recommended for beginners or intermediate
players because they are much harder to keep in tune and can
have an instable pitch.
Each type of violin string has its own advantages and
disadvantages. On kind of string is not necessarily better than
the others, people who play different types of music on the
violin prefer different strings.