I am currently in the process of finding a suitable string combination for my 100 year old German violin. I had a set of Obligatos and really liked them on it. I am currently playing on a set of Aricores. Next on the list that I want to try is Violinos. I am def staying with Pirastro! I really like their strings :)
I’ve been playing violin for 4 years so far and began with your videos from my first year…the videos have been extremely helpful. I’ve watched a good majority of them and I appreciate the detail you go through with each topic. Your teaching technique is a gift which increased my confidence in playing along with the techniques. I can’t thank you enough!!
Thanks Alison - I have just bought a set of Obligatos - excellent for my violin and style - nice warm sound and very even right up the range - love them!
helpful as always - thankyou. btw - exceptions, not executions. one is an anomaly, one is a firing squad - lol. but seriously, I needed some insight on what strings to use for replacement and after studying your old video got Pirastro Tonicas. But as you say, between players and instruments, there are almost infinite variables. On my violin, there were totally tinny sounding. Went back to Dominants and love the full rich ring they create. Stay safe.
Pirastros are my fav too. I use Evah Pirazzis on my violin, sometimes alternating to the Gold Label E, and Obligatos on my viola, sometimes alternating to a different A (I am still in the process of trying As).
Just put tonicas on our two violins and wow! The tone is amazing. I can’t believe I kept those horrible student stock strings on for 5 months. I should have listened to Alison sooner...Embarrassing lol! Thank you!..Furthermore I would advise those buying a Stentor 2, immediately swap the strings to Pirastro Tonicas. The Stentor is solid instrument but it is shipped with crappy steel strings which are pretty hard on tender little fingers.
Its got nothing to do with skills, but whether your strings must be changed. If they are dead and need changing then they need changing. This is especially important as a beginner as you will already be fighting against dead strings and trying to eliminate the scratching caused by said dead strings - thus making things 10 times harder for yourself.
I can relate to characterizing violin tone as male or female. I have a lste 1800s E. Martin amati copy (my profile pic) that's very soft, and not so loud which I would characterize as female, and then I have a Louis Lowendal strad copy that's an absolute cannon when it comes to volume, which I would characterize as male.
I ordered Dominant strings, but they sent the light strings. They are aluminium wound except the G. The tension on the lights are 19kg and on the mediums its 21.4kg. Haven't tried them yet.
I put Prelude strings on my second violin. The other is a Stentor Student II and has Pirastro Tonica strings, but I think I like the Prelude strings more I think. They are steel core where the Pirastro are synthetic core strings, but they don’t sound metallic at all, they are very warm and nice and easy to play. Did you ever try the Prelude’s? They are very affordable too!
The Daddario Zyex work well on my lion head violin when combined with a gold E seems to cut through well when playing with other instruments in Scottish,Scandinavian and Balkan types of music. I’m also baffled as has been previously mentioned, you still look the same as the Video I first watched eight years ago how do you do that🙂
Just yesterday I had to change strings, only the aluminum winding on the A string had worn out so I decided to change em all, it had been a year, but haven't played as much... I went from olive to piranito ugh I don't know if I'll be able to stand the sound piranito make... I'll give them a chance to break in...
I have a question pls? Why dominant is less recommending than Tonica, what makes it sound bad? I use Dominant strings on my Violin for 2 months now i really like it actually but im not sure to Tonica strings because Tonica don't last long than dominant since dominant is well know to last longer than Tonica... I haven't try the Tonica yet.
Dominants used to be nice sounding, bt they changed their formula a few years back and now, they are (in my opinion) not that great for the money and what they used to be. Tonicas are brighter and more open and suit cheaper student quality violins that may sound a little 'muffled' and poor due to the low quality of them.
Dear Alison, I want to ask a very important question. I was reading somewhere on internet that playing violins generate a loud amount of sound which can result in permanent damage of ear .This is typically worse in left ear(ear near the instrument) .Alison ,u have been playing violin for almost 30 years .I was shocked to read this news. Mam do we need to use some ear plugs like that when we play our instrument. Mam please guide us .This is really very important question
Alison what the heck? You look 10 years younger all of a sudden .. what the bloody hell have you done girl? I need some of that secret elixer! 🤣😘👨🏻 Pirastro😎
I also prefer Pirastro strings. When I make more bow pressure, they hold it, when I play very softy, the sound doesn't fail. Phrasing works. With Thomastik strings, it's not the same. They don't seem to adapt to my changes in bow pressure as easily and the response seems off.
Agree. Thomastik strings (Dominants especially) have really changed over the years. Those used to be good strings, but they must have changed something in/on them as they dont sound or play well at all.
Agree! I played on Dominant in 2009/2011, and just recently started playing again. I loved them back then but the new set I got is just not the same and I hate them. Ordered some Obligatos and can't wait for them to arrive
I am currently in the process of finding a suitable string combination for my 100 year old German violin. I had a set of Obligatos and really liked them on it. I am currently playing on a set of Aricores. Next on the list that I want to try is Violinos. I am def staying with Pirastro! I really like their strings :)
I’ve been playing violin for 4 years so far and began with your videos from my first year…the videos have been extremely helpful. I’ve watched a good majority of them and I appreciate the detail you go through with each topic. Your teaching technique is a gift which increased my confidence in playing along with the techniques. I can’t thank you enough!!
as always very informative information from the best professional Violin Tutor on the Web
Watching this, I just realized I haven’t changed my strings in... 4 years 😳🙈 i hadn’t even thought of it.... time for some new strings 😄
4 YEARS!!!!!?????? you definitely need new strings
Thanks Alison - I have just bought a set of Obligatos - excellent for my violin and style - nice warm sound and very even right up the range - love them!
helpful as always - thankyou. btw - exceptions, not executions. one is an anomaly, one is a firing squad - lol. but seriously, I needed some insight on what strings to use for replacement and after studying your old video got Pirastro Tonicas. But as you say, between players and instruments, there are almost infinite variables. On my violin, there were totally tinny sounding. Went back to Dominants and love the full rich ring they create. Stay safe.
Your videos are so informative. It is much appreciated!
Alison very interesting as always love, cheers 🍻 👍
Pirastros are my fav too. I use Evah Pirazzis on my violin, sometimes alternating to the Gold Label E, and Obligatos on my viola, sometimes alternating to a different A (I am still in the process of trying As).
Nice video
Just put tonicas on our two violins and wow! The tone is amazing. I can’t believe I kept those horrible student stock strings on for 5 months. I should have listened to Alison sooner...Embarrassing lol! Thank you!..Furthermore I would advise those buying a Stentor 2, immediately swap the strings to Pirastro Tonicas. The Stentor is solid instrument but it is shipped with crappy steel strings which are pretty hard on tender little fingers.
What about Pirazzi violin strings? I have a E.R. Pfettzner violin?
My skills are nowhere near at the stage where I need to worry about changing strings yet good to know what to look forward to in the future
Its got nothing to do with skills, but whether your strings must be changed. If they are dead and need changing then they need changing. This is especially important as a beginner as you will already be fighting against dead strings and trying to eliminate the scratching caused by said dead strings - thus making things 10 times harder for yourself.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor ok
Interesting. Allison seems to keep getting more lovely with age.
I can relate to characterizing violin tone as male or female. I have a lste 1800s E. Martin amati copy (my profile pic) that's very soft, and not so loud which I would characterize as female, and then I have a Louis Lowendal strad copy that's an absolute cannon when it comes to volume, which I would characterize as male.
I ordered Dominant strings, but they sent the light strings. They are aluminium wound except the G. The tension on the lights are 19kg and on the mediums its 21.4kg. Haven't tried them yet.
I put Prelude strings on my second violin. The other is a Stentor Student II and has Pirastro Tonica strings, but I think I like the Prelude strings more I think. They are steel core where the Pirastro are synthetic core strings, but they don’t sound metallic at all, they are very warm and nice and easy to play. Did you ever try the Prelude’s? They are very affordable too!
I have never used Preludes personally as they wouldnt suit my violin, but I have heard they are good strings.
Thanks for your helpful video. I have a question. I wonder how can I keep the rhythm without a metronome?
The Daddario Zyex work well on my lion head violin when combined with a gold E seems to cut through well when playing with other instruments in Scottish,Scandinavian and Balkan types of music.
I’m also baffled as has been previously mentioned, you still look the same as the Video I first watched eight years ago how do you do that🙂
Just yesterday I had to change strings, only the aluminum winding on the A string had worn out so I decided to change em all, it had been a year, but haven't played as much... I went from olive to piranito ugh I don't know if I'll be able to stand the sound piranito make... I'll give them a chance to break in...
Strings can take a good 2-4 weeks to break in before the true sound comes through.
Nice information...Plz make vlog mam
I have a question pls? Why dominant is less recommending than Tonica, what makes it sound bad? I use Dominant strings on my Violin for 2 months now i really like it actually but im not sure to Tonica strings because Tonica don't last long than dominant since dominant is well know to last longer than Tonica...
I haven't try the Tonica yet.
Dominants used to be nice sounding, bt they changed their formula a few years back and now, they are (in my opinion) not that great for the money and what they used to be.
Tonicas are brighter and more open and suit cheaper student quality violins that may sound a little 'muffled' and poor due to the low quality of them.
I dont know why but you are really cute, great vídeo!!!!
Do you think Gewa violins are great? Thank u!!!
I have never heard of them.
re you familiar with Gliga violins? If so would you care to give me your opinion. Thank you!!
I have never played them. If the company send me some to review, then I will gladly do so.
Dear Alison,
I want to ask a very important question. I was reading somewhere on internet that playing violins generate a loud amount of sound which can result in permanent damage of ear .This is typically worse in left ear(ear near the instrument) .Alison ,u have been playing violin for almost 30 years .I was shocked to read this news. Mam do we need to use some ear plugs like that when we play our instrument. Mam please guide us .This is really very important question
This is not true. I do not know of any violinists anywhere in the world with ear damage from the violin. It is simply not loud enough for any damage.
Alison what the heck? You look 10 years younger all of a sudden .. what the bloody hell have you done girl?
I need some of that secret elixer! 🤣😘👨🏻 Pirastro😎
Oh stop it you 🤣
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor 😉🤣🤣🤣👨🏻
I also prefer Pirastro strings. When I make more bow pressure, they hold it, when I play very softy, the sound doesn't fail. Phrasing works.
With Thomastik strings, it's not the same. They don't seem to adapt to my changes in bow pressure as easily and the response seems off.
Agree. Thomastik strings (Dominants especially) have really changed over the years. Those used to be good strings, but they must have changed something in/on them as they dont sound or play well at all.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor Yet they claim that they haven't changed the original formula, since its release 50 years ago.
Indeed, I agree... its a mystery... 🤔
Agree! I played on Dominant in 2009/2011, and just recently started playing again. I loved them back then but the new set I got is just not the same and I hate them. Ordered some Obligatos and can't wait for them to arrive
👌🌹
I actually liked the Pro Arte's far more than Tonica's or Dominants.