Fiddle question

[brynndragon]

I failed to keep up with habit-formation of playing the fiddle partially because one of the strings on the fiddle I'm using broke (the low G; snapping was preceded by failing to hold tune, which should have been a clue but it's been a while since I've played a real instrument). Today I bought a new set (ball end), figuring it was likely time to replace all of them. The only other instrument I've replaced the strings on is a guitar and that was at least a decade ago. I was intending on replacing them one string at a time, hoping that would keep me from needing to figure out how to place the bridge; I've also found this page and I think there's some tips in that Big Book of Fiddling I got for Christmas. There are fine tuners on all the strings. Is this something I can do on my own? If so, any beginner's tips? If not, any suggestions on who to get to do it/how to find such a person?

(The other part was failure to create effective triggers; I've some ideas on that front involving associating fiddle playing with walking in the door - if I can parse fiddling as relaxing from school/clinic it'll be so much easier ;)

Comments

[ahf.livejournal.com]

This is easy to do on your own. One at a time is the way to go, it will take a while for it to stay in tune again. For replacing all, alternate strings rather than go in a row, I have waited a day or so between when I replaced all of them, let one settle and get it close to in tune before moving on to the next. That was with the violin that I know has neck damage, I didn't want to stress it too much.

I'm willing to help with whatever you need, I can place the bridge easily enough if needed, and I am glad to teach you how to do it.

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

Awesome - I'll give it a go with a day between strings and if I get stuck I'll bring it on down. If I do manage to do it I'll still probably bring it down next game and ask you to show me how to place the bridge :).

[ahf.livejournal.com]

Just so you know, I am leaving for CA tomorrow, I will be back next Tues. Off to visit the sibling.

Good luck.

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

Enjoy your trip out west! If it doesn't work, it can certainly wait until you get back :).

[digitalsidhe.livejournal.com]

Sherlock Holmes played the violin as a relaxation method (or hobby). If you associate it with relaxation, you'll be in good company!

And if you associate it with Sherlock Holmes, you can feel all literary and cultured!

[adaptively.livejournal.com]

...fiddle and cocaine. Whatta combo.

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

Somehow I don't think he was playing either Klezmer or bluegrass ;). And now I'm seeing the events of this ad taking place at 221B Baker Street instead of in a fancy restaurant - "That's how you do it, son" ;P.

[matildalucet.livejournal.com]

From what I've read, one at a time is best as it minimizes the chance of the soundpost falling over. I can barely talk myself through changing a string on a viol. (I have mental block about the knot in the tailpiece, plus generalized fear of doing something stupid and expensive with strings.) I DO NOT want to deal with anything falling over. :-)

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

Exactly - the bridge looks wicked fiddly. (pardon the pun ;P)

[matildalucet.livejournal.com]

Mine will tilt and skew if I don't keep after it when I tune, pinching strings where they come off the bridge and keeping an eye on things from the side and whatnot. And I thought fingering and learning to use the bow were going to be the hard parts!

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

In guitars, you're supposed to change strings one at a time because the neck is designed to have tension on it at all times.