How to "Really" Adjust a Violin Bridge / How To Change or Replace a Violin String: Part 3
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- Опубликовано: 14 окт 2024
- Welcome to The Romantic School of Music.
Violin bridges are constantly getting out of adjustment, especially after replacing a string, and every musician, needs to know how to adjust their bridge. It's the only way that the performer can deliver music at its highest level.
A clarification on a drawing in this video since there are different sound openings; especially Florentines and others on "ancient" instruments: the bridge should always be centered between the notches facing each other and closest to the bridge. (Thank you Dave!)
I'm new at making videos, but this really is a genuine violin shop.
The picture at the right of the screen is of Nicolo Paganini: the eminent teacher and virtuoso of The Romantic School of Music. This was his favorite image of himself throughout his life other than the medal engraved by Antonine Bovy, and given to him by the country of France.
The violin featured in this video is entitled "The Sea" or "The Mermaid Violin" and was lovingly cut, carved and varnished by Kevin Lee Luthier. The back of this instrument is breathtaking and photographs can be seen of it at www.theromantic...
Music excerpts:
Gypsy Capriccioso by Kevin Lee Luthier
Over the Rainbow by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg
Artistic consultant and photographer: Brian Cool
TO CONNECT WITH KEVIN LEE LUTHIER AND THE ROMANTIC SCHOOL OF MUSIC:
/ kevin_lee_luthier
/ kluthier
/ kevinlee.luthier
And the websites:
www.kevinleelu...
the-romantic-sc...
Thank you for commenting.
I know I'm old-fashioned and I also had a difficult time memorizing the script while the camera-man waited. But like practicing the violin, I hope to get better with time.
Please get specific and constructively "tear this video apart." I have a lot of information to share. Violins are my life, and I am willing to do about anything to make these videos pleasant for everyone.
Too scripted? Too stuffy?
The next video is almost done, but I'll do what I can.
kevinleeluthier , Thank you! You explained it straight to the point with so many details, which are important, yet not everyone shares them , I believe some luthiers don’t even pay attention to these fine details as much as you do! Thank you for that! Would you, please, do a video on sound post adjustment? I would love to learn it for myself, so I can do it myself. Thank you!
Thank you! This is the only video I've found that addresses moving the sound post to the left or right. Very Helpful!
kevinleeluthier your delivery is perfect. It has to be dramatic and therefore romantic! Keep doing what you do!
Finally, a clear and concise video on violin bridge placement. So few Luthiers (or any humans for that matter) convey anything properly. Thank you, sir!
Your are welcome.
Zack Galifinakis has been helping violinists adjust their instruments and for me I am glad.
I realize this video is older, but would just like to say it is helpful to me and I really enjoy it. Thank you so much. I can feel your goodness.
This is informative and hilarious.
Omg I love this man. So cute and hilarious. This is like a whole new genre of RUclips. Educational dramatic comedy.
I would just like to say how hilarious I find it when you walk away from the car. Very hilarious, that's how hilarious.
Please don't change this video--the elements are perfectly balanced. I especially appreciate the diagrams, the common sense sequence of visual demonstration, and the unique personality. It's clear you put thought into this. It stands out on RUclips. It's perfect.
Thanks for all the great input. When I'm finished with my next two videos, I'll probably come back and re-shoot this one. I usually relate well with my customers,one on one, but there is more to this video business than meets the eye!
I thrive on criticism and I will try to do better, as all muicians and luthiers should,
Thanks for being understanding, Kevin Lee Luthier
You my friend are a national treasure. I hope you are doing well. These videos are ahead of their time, because you have passion for teaching and doing things right in your own style.
I'm glad to see that the younguns understand this stuff too.
cheers from an old instrument maker in Vienna, Scott
I went to you website and saw your workmanship, i.e. the violin that you crafted. They are beautiful pieces. They are so beautiful that I wish that you had better pictures of them so I could print one and put it on my wall to admire it everyday. I specially like the Florentine scroll / F holes, and the flames on the back of the violins. These are about the most beautiful violins I have ever seen
Stay just the way you are and thank you for sharing your expertise
this is honestly the best violin channel on youtube
Oh my gosh. I love these videos. Thanks so much!!!
You have a wonderful sense of humor. Don't listen to the detractors, and don't change a thing. Thanks for daring to be different. I get a lot of helpful info from your videos, you're very thorough.
Thanks Kavin thanks a lot😊
I did the same with my violin and beautifully its sounds changed. My soulful thanks❤. Get well soon brother
Very nicely done... even back then. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
So nice I watch it twice. Each time
Good presentation!
Thank you for the advice. It means a lot to beginners.
I wish I would have seen this before the bridges on both of my 4/4s began to warp. I finally was obligated to shape and fit a new bridge on my 60s John Jusek. Learning to do this took me nearly a month, but was truly a labour of love.
I hear you! And my hat goes off to anyone willing to try, and the patience to succeed!
Your videos are excellent. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
The video is excellent and the details make it a great resource. Bravo. The dialogue seems unnatural, and almost like an infomercial. Please continue making great videos such as these!
Thank you Kevin. This beginner enjoys these helpful hints and your excellent presentations.
Informative, charming and enough detail to make the adjustments yourself. Thanks.
EXCELLENT lesson! Not only I learned what has to be done and how, but now I understand why, which for me is a must. Thank you. And Subscribed!
This person is awesome.
Thank you! Your instructions are very clear and precise.
That is a remarkably beautiful instrument.
You are absolutely correct, and I hope to get to the "tone adjustment" videos in the near future.
Hello Kevin. I'm not so sure that you need to remake this video. I firstly watched the string change video & in the first few milliseconds I thought the combination of all the worst comments here. Another early impression was that the presentation was from "upon high" but I persevered & gradually cut through the incorrectly "perceived" stereotypical stiffness (which lingers in the classical world) then became engaged with your clear, concise explanations. You are very precise about your work & have high standards. So, paradoxically, I think you are one of the best educators. I had almost missed the cheeky undertones. A great series of videos indeed. Nice touch with the Bugatti Veyron. Best of luck with the novel.
Thank you, very well explained, the way of speech is very impressive.
I would like to learn more from you Kevinlee. I enjoy your approach to teaching.
Well done video and very precise to understand. Your subtle humor is genius. Don't listen to the negative comments. Keep on.
Congrats on your teaching ability! You give the relevant explanation of why and exactly HOW! (sadly lacking in many other videos supposedly showing how). This, backed up with clear camera work, good commentary and useful diagrams, gives a clear "how to" all.
Any chance of the same on:
1. Trimming and tuning a bridge.
2. Setting the string height on the bridge
3. How the soundpost position can change the tone.
The details of how and why and sample distances are the key requirements and..
Thanks
Very nice quality drawings. I now know how the engineering should be on the bridge and so on. Thank you very much...by the way, my Peterson strobotuner is working out great...hope your recovery goes well
Fantastic! Even more to come.Thanks for your comment.
my god man thank you. seriously, this is a boon to me.
Finally, someone I can take entirely seriously.
This man is a legend!
amazing and such a sample explanation
Thank you! That’s the best thorough explanation I ever heard with giving attention to smallest of details! Would you , please , do a video on sound post and finding this perfect spot for the instrument to really sound perfect ? I would appreciate that
This guy should have more subscribers.
Excelente profesional. Gracias.
Very important to keep an eye on the bridge creeping forward. This video has everything you need to know with good diagrams.
I thought the car was disgusting but you seem to be having fun. Well done.
So precise. Just what I needed. Other vids are hacks compared to yours. Bravo!
Thank you. I am working on quite a few more "how to" videos and hope to have them out soon.
thanks for sharing sir Kevin...My son learned alot
Bravo! Great video!! Please carry on...
Kevin, you could make tightening a fine tuner sound interesting. Keep the videos coming!
I love how intense this guy is.
Haha, the camera angle changes are priceless. The video is very informative though. Thank you for the in-depth tutorial.
I flinched so hard when he broke that bridge lol
Love this video mate cheers
Fantastic, i love this so much.
Dear maestro, until your videos resume, I revisit the existing ones. I have to respectfully ask for your opinion on my 1857 Guarneri copy J.B. Vuillaume violin if I may. I bought it back in 1990 when very young from W.E.Hill & sons. A magnificent copy, ( I can send you pictures if you wish). All these years the violin was maintained by a local luthier who studied at Newark. He changed the original Bass-Bar as the original one installed by Vuillaume was too weak. The violin although very good sounding it seemed the sound was inside and not coming out. After all these years I decided to take it to Germany for more opinions. Invariably all the people who examined it said the bass bar was at the wrong place and had no tension, proving it to me by placing a straight edge at the bass foot of the bridge to the eye of the f-hole, where there was a dip in the arching. I found the most reputable person on bass bars in Germany and had it replaced. The difference was tremendous. The Vuillaume now sounds like a real Del-Gesu, actually, it has beaten some real ones on stage. The experts who saw it, invariably say it's among the best Vuillaumes they have ever seen and in as new condition as can be. Now to the point. The new bridge made for it is not leaning backwards but stands straight. When I asked why, the luthier said that if you are carrying a weight on your back as the bridge does, you are more comfortable and stable when you are leaning a bit forward. That's why the bridge sits straight. The violin though sounds amazing with the current set-up and I don't want anything disturbed. The new bass-bar has tension in it and eventually raised the arching to where it should be. This necessitated a new longer SP which I have installed. Please comment on this and hopefully, you are well enough soon to post more videos.
Lol, all this time I've been playing and no one told me that the bridge should be straightened every time my violin is tuned to prevent it from becoming warped, now my bridge has to be changed because it has become warped. Thanks for your video.
I am woriking on the rest of the "How to Replace a Violin String" videos right now and plan on doing just about everthing, but it does take time.
This guy might be unique in mannerisms but he plays those notes like a boss
Many new users recieve a blank bridge, and have no luthier near or affordable. Please make a video about shaping a bridge at home, and your thoughts on all 4 string heights for violins.
A video about carving and fitting bridges has been on my to do list for quite a while, and I will try to make it happen within the next few videos.
String heights can vary, especially if the fingerboard is not scooped properly, yet when everything is correct the height measured under the strings at the end of the fingerboard is:
4.8mm for the G, and 3.6mm for the E. The D and A strings fall between these two numbers and the heights vary slightly depending upon the arch/crown of the bridge. I hope this helps in the meantime.
@@kevinleeluthier 🎻👍
Great Job!! You give clear and specific information.. Exactly what I've been looking for. Are you going to do anymore videos like this? Like trimming and tuning the bridge, or any type of repairs?
~Keep the videos coming!!! :o)
This was very informative. Traditional fiddlers such as myself, coming from trads that are centuries old such as Gaelic music, might find the presentation of the classical methods as the "secret right best" way somewhat annoying. We're pretty well aware what works best for our styles of music. The presentation--tonal inflection and body language--comes off somewhat haughty and over choreographed. But the info was good and competent. Thanks!
anyone else heart skipped a beat when he broke the bridge? 👀
I imagined myself accidentally doing such a thing to my bridge. I'm scared of adjusting it now. ahah
While I have spent a lot of time with different inlaid Stadivari instruments, I can only pass on the information about the Hellier second-hand. I am told that it is glue-ebony paste, as are almost all of his instruments from this era.
Especially later in Stradivari's life, he made instruments using different combinatons of techniques including: glue-ebony paste, ebony inlay in vey limited amounts, tattooing the wood itself, and toward the end of his life, painting a good portion of it on.
I am working on it. See if my next video (Part 4) is any better.
Any comments will help, since I'm working on Video #1 (the most important one) now.
Thanks!
I thought his whole performance was funny and I enjoyed it. I liked the "infomercial" feel to it.
Kevin Lee Luthier, awesome video. Could you give me some input on Violin bridge replacements? I see a lot of variation in price in bridges, and features such as ebony e-string inlays and aged wood. This is my first time through this, and I'm not sure what is a real benefit and what is a marketing gimmick. The violin will be used by my daughter, who, two years early, will be starting in the school orchestra this fall.
Realize that a bridge blank must be cut and fitted before it can be used on your insrument (look closely at 1:55 of part 4 of this series) I do have plans for a video on this in the future. That said, yes the finer (more expensive) bridges made from fine markstraw maple really are better.
If your price range is low, an ebony inlay will keep the E-string from digging into the soft wood, but for a "decent" violin, I suggest an Aubert Mirecourt, or better yet the Aubert Mirecourt Delux.
Solid video, very well elicited (if not a little overdramatic). But I am thankful nonetheless. :D
I am going to try a lot of different "flavors" as these videos progress, and I hope to make them as informative and also entertainig as possible. I'll take "silly" as a great compliment to the beginning of this one. Thanks!
Seeing this makes me want to be more Zen...
Good video. I was expecting someone to jump out and ask if you had any Grey Poupon
Yes. I finished it a few years ago. It is entitled, "The Sea" or "The Mermaid Violin."
My father loved the sea, and I think of him when I play it. There are pictures of this violin at The Romantic School of Music .com or kevinleeluthier .com
I will also be adding pictures of other inlaid violins at these websites as I make and finish them. In the meantime, there is a short video (I was asked to do a bank advertisement) at vimeo.com/102335733 showing my next violin "The Gypsy" in the making.
thank you for all your videos. they clarify things i assumed, or considered, but had slightly wrong.
Great video! This is amazing thank you. Also sometimes you sound like Keanu Reeves
thanks it very helpful
I am planning on finishing violin and wanted to ask you: I want to copy the artwork of the hellier violin. I am told that it is inlaid ebony. Or is it a glue-ebony paste that filled a carved artwork and then planed?
If the soundpost falls, the strings must be loosened and the soundpost put back in place using special soundpost setting tools. This usually means taking your violin to a repair shop, though I will be doing more in-depth videos like this so the musician at least knows what it takes and if it has been done properly.
Great video. Thanks. Where can those drawings be obtained?
I have many drawings relating to the construction, setup and adjustment of violins, violas and cellos, and I've been thinking about putting them on The Romantic School of Music website as PDF's so teachers, etc. could print them. Would that work, or are you looking for "hard copies"? Anyone else interested? These things do take time and I'm always in the middle of making instruments, but if enough people could benefit from them I will do it.
I, for one, would make full use of any drawings you could provide. Thanks again.
Could the curvature of the Bridge have an incidence on the A String response ? If yes, please help us understand . Thank you.
If a bridge is curved/warped it will respond sluggishly, especially on the A and D strings. If a bridge is only slightly warped, it can sometimes straighten itself out by the musician pulling the top of the bridge back a little at a time over a few days time, otherwise a badly warped bridge can be straightened on a bending iron (requires the tool and skill), or if all else fails, a new bridge would need to be carved to fit the instrument.
If you mean the arching across the top of the bridge, yes also, but the playability from string to string is a larger factor than the tone and response difference. Classical musicians usually prefer higher arching (more distinct sound and easier to play on one string at a time), while fiddlers usually prefer flatter bridges for slightly easier response, less bow movement while shuffling and the ability to play triple stops. I hope this helps, Kevin Lee Luthier
Just a thought..Please get a 1080p camera and take videos of your instruments...from every angle!
Can we play the violn without soundpost ?
Silly man with good info...hahaha! Thanks...
Hi! I have a question: How often I need to change my strings?
Interesting back drop
✝ 0:36 , "you really got me" (Kinks)®
Thanks
Are you architect or engineer?
what happend if violin soundpost fall ?
My violin bridge is leaning and it seems stuck and hard to move it at all..
If the grooves in your bridge are too deep and/or the strings have been in the same place too long, you might need to do the following:
Loosen one string at a time, graphite the groove with a pencil and re-tighten it. Then pull the top of the bridge back.
Or, loosen all of the strings a couple notes, pull the top of the bridge back a little extra, realizing that when you re-tighten the strings it will pull the top of the bridge forward a little, and re-tighten the strings.
Student Cellos with soft bridges are especially notorious for this.
I hope this helps.
who's car is that?
please keep going
Amazing video ... and you dont have to pay royalties for the closing music of the video ...
I've learned quite a bit about copyrights in the last couple years, and even though this video was uploaded from a school for educational purposes, it's still best to stay away from copyrighted material if you can and not test the "fair use" laws. Thanks for your comment!
I kept waiting and waiting for him to pull a rabbit out of the violin.
You should never play a viollin, viola or cello without a soundpost.
The tone will be poor and you risk damaging the belly.
(While the bass bar supports the belly under the lower strings, the soundpost supports it under the higher ones.)
If the souldpost falls, loosen the strings at least half-way until it can be reset.
my violin sounds SOOOO much better now
The creepiest luthier I ever saw. Incredible awesome though!
Tobias Funke ?
A bit too 'corksniffer' for me, but he knows his stuff.
1:54 That really hurts😨
Trying to figure out what should mean that Bugatti Veyron huge poster...
You should care as much for your fine violin as you do your fine automobile.