String Recommendations
String Recommendations
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"Now that I have new strings, I can finally play my violin on my other shoulder and bow with my left hand!"
-Barbie
New Strings!!! New you!!!
New Strings!!! New you!!!
New strings make a huge difference in a student's strings playing experience. Not only will they help produce a richer tone and make a clearer, more precise sound, but they also respond better to different bowing techniques and simply feel good on the player's fingers.
Although it is recommended that students replace their strings at least once a year, many students indicate they have rarely or never changed their strings since getting their instruments.
The cost of a new set of strings varies widely by brand and for each instrument. Hopefully, it is worth the expense as your student plays almost an hour everyday in class!
As a base level, I recommend the D’Addario Helicore Strings as a solid string that balances quality with price. If you can swing it, I encourage violins and violas to consider upgrading to a set of Zyex strings. Cellos and Basses can stick with Helicores but I have enjoyed playing on the Kaplans and often hear positive reviews for them, especially on low strings.
I really like D'Addario for their consistency and durability. It's also awesome that D'Addario is an American company, and their bowed strings are designed, engineered, and manufactured at the company headquarters in Farmingdale, New York!
Check out the sizing guide below!
Sizing Guide
Sizing Guide
Violin: The string size indicated on the package should match the size marking on the label inside the instrument.
4/4 size - Medium tension
3/4 size - Medium tension
1/2 size - Medium tension
Viola: Viola sizes are in inches rather than fractions. Look inside the instrument to see inch size (ex: 12”, 13”, 14”, 15”)
11”-13” violas - Extra Short Scale - Medium tension
14”-15” violas - Short Scale - Medium tension
15”-16” violas - Medium Scale - Medium tension
Cello: The string size indicated on the package should match the size marking on the label inside the instrument.
4/4 size - Medium tension
3/4 size - Medium tension
1/2 size - Medium tension
Bass: Bass strings are more expensive but need to be changed less often. The string size indicated on the package should match the size marking on the label inside the instrument.
3/4 size - Medium tension (3/4 size basses are the most common size. Even most adults play this size.)
1/2 size - Medium tension
1/2 size - Medium Tension
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