I'm not suggesting you string cross like this all the time, only in a spot where your open E creates a whistle. If you have other insights, please share with everyone.
That's wonderful advice. I also find that making sure the bow isn't riding over the top of the harmonic partial that exists about an inch from the end of the fingerboard makes a huge difference as well. I love your videos. The information you share is excellent!
Hey Professor! I hope I was the friend you were talking about! And I LOVE this idea....I have never ever heard of that, but I will link this video to my video so that all my viewers will see this cool tip! It's such a weird problem, and although I have eliminated about 98% of it, there are still times where I suffer from it. Can't wait to try it!
Dang. I can't find my video about Whistling E. I"m losing my mind! Maybe it was a blog post. Anyway, I'll find it and post embed your video in my post.
Hi Todd, basically, in my article...or video...I don't remember which....some of the contributing factors to whistling E was rosin build-up, the E string being embedded in the bridge, the string tube being positioned too far forward, sounding point. I always suspected CROOKED BOW as being a cause of whistling E, but it's really great to know that sometimes the crooked bow can SOLVE IT. I've also noticed certain KEYS are worse than others. I want to say D minor, but I'm not certain. Anyway, great tip!
+Loralyn Staples totally agree with the D minor scale being worse at whistling or squeaking. My worst one specifically is Bach chaconne's 2nd chord in the beginning (D-G-Bb-E)!
This is brilliant. I have been struggling with this for a year, but at least now I know that I'm not insane and other people have this problem! Now I can start trying out your solutions :) thanks!
Thanks Professor! I've been looking on how to solve this problem, 'cos everytime I go from C or D of A string to open E string, it whistles EVERYTIME. This really helps.
That would drive you crazy, I'm sure. If it happens every time, I'd recommend trying a different E string. Perhaps one that is 'wound' instead of plain steel. Also make sure the rosin has been cleaned off the E string as build up can increase the chance of this problem. Good luck!
This could not have come up at a more opportune time--I have my violin "final" on Friday and there are a ton of double, triple, whatever stops towards the middle and end and they're absolutely DREADFUL. I can't play two strings at once to save my damn life. Hopefully this helps, I'm going to go try it!
lol i have to play my solo for a contest tomorrow and i couldnt get the last 4 chords without my e string whistling, this just saved me ahhhh thanks even tho this was so long ago haha
Good idea, Todd. I've not seen that approach; I'll have to give it a try. I've also found that a Thomastik Dominant wound E string (#129 or #130) helps to avoid the dreaded E whistle. But that's just my experience. I see that others have tried other strings with success. 'Tis a problem that many deal with on this wonderful instrument.
I am more likely to get a whistling E string when the note being played before hitting the E string is the Eb on the A string. The whistling will not occur when crossing from a note with more common low harmonics, it seems. For instance, crossing from the open A to open E strings rarely causes a whistle. Crossing from Eb (A string) to open E and it whistles often. I think it is related to coincident or close harmonics.....resonances that help get the E string vibrating ....or not vibrating. Just a thought. Larry
Ah, the annoying whistling E! :) Speaking as a player and teacher, that's interesting about the bow angle advice. I had only tried changing the angle once per bow (I think) when I was having problems. Thank you both! I will say that my own near 100% cure was to switch to the Kaplan non-whistling E (on all my fiddles) and just stay with that. Also...I tried a new bow rehair person who seems to get a much improved grade of hair vs from where I was having it done the past 10 years. (That was another constant bow drama) :) but I believe it made a continuing difference in any potential whistling. I simply don't experience it anymore. Never expected that. Cheers!
Thank you! I have been having so much stress about this for a particular song I need to play this weekend. I just purchased a new string today which I know will help but this video gives me something else to try as well. Thank you for all your help! :)
Hi ProfV, Concerning the whistling "E" string. Several years ago I happened upon the whistle free "E" string put out by Kaplan ((D'Addario). It works like a charm, is not pricy and the tone is quite decent. I do not work for and am not associated with the company. It has been a pleasure to play over the years without the darn whistling. Al Colombo
Interesting, Katedu. I was just reading an interview with Lara St. John, where she said she had never found any brand to eliminate this problem, including wound strings (Quest for Tone, Strings Magazine, January, 2015). I was told that the problem can be helped with a tonal adjustment.
I'm a fiddler who plays for dances, so my attack is fairly strong. I was out of Kaplan E-strings last month and put on on the E that came with a set of Dominants. The whistling was horrendous. I had to put the old Kaplan back on until I could get a new one. Apparently my fiddle is prone to whistling on the E-string, but with the right type of string the problem disappears. I could well believe that a tonal adjustment might help, but it might also alter the tone in other ways. Right now the tone of my fiddle is more-or-less the way I like it. Thanks for the hint on technique though, as it may still come in handy depending upon conditions.
You just bow closer to the bridge and its the same thing. My luthier fixed it for me a few years ago by putting in a metallic bridge protector and telling me to use only wound E strings. Haven't had a whistling e-string ever since.
Hello Prof V, You can reduce the likelihood of whistling "E" by twisting the string before putting the loop or ball into the adjuster. I do this and rarely get a whistle. Can't remember the last time it happened. gc
hey professor! Happy holidays to you too. i have been facing a lot of this whistling E string for some years now, and i have no idea how to get rid of it. i will try this trick when i encounter it at the near future. i have a question. i also faced this problem, but with the G string. but it only happen when i do double stop at 7th position at the G string and open D string. do you know how to avoid it? thanks :)
My F# on my e string 1st finger position always sounds scratchy and very unclear. But my open e sounds fine. Is there something wrong with my technique or violin setup?
KZ8521, that sounds like a problem with the violin. If it’s an older violin you might check the fingerboard at the point where the first finger makes contact. Sometimes grooves develop, making it hard to fully stop the string with the fingertip. That can easily be fixed by a good luthier. As an experiment, try playing the F# with your second finger, just to see if it sounds different. If it does, this would indicate a need to re-evaluate your first finger technique. Perhaps you’re not getting the string down far enough. Good luck.
@@professorV Thanks so much for your quick response! I tried with all my other fingers and pressed as hard as I could but the sound is still scratchy. Anything beyond the F# sounds ok so it's only in the range from F to G. I checked my violin and there are some inconsistencies in the fingerboard that look like several small holes but they don't feel like they make the fingerboard rough or anything. It is also a brand new student-level violin. Should I just return it and purchase another one instead of going to a luthier?
KZ8521 I’ve had that experience many times, but with lower pitches, and never on the E string. Have you heard of Wolf tones? They frequently occur on notes high up the G string, but I’ve run into them on open A twice. It can drive you crazy! I’m curious; try playing the F# on the D string (2nd finger) and see if you get any of the same problems. If you do, I’d definitely consider trading it in for a different violin. Sometimes a small adjustment of the soundpost can this less obvious, but you’ll have to take it to a luthier to get that done, which is probably a good idea anyway. Good luck!
Art beats, that’s more unusual. Is the problem there every time you bow open A? Does the string keep ringing if you quickly lift the bow off the string, or does the ringing stop (compared to the other strings)? I’d start by making sure the A string is not cutting into the bridge, which can happen with a narrow diameter steel string. If it is, you’ll probably need to visit a luthier, or at least install a steel string with a little plastic tube that keeps this from happening. If the bridge looks ok, you should install a new string and see if it improves. If it’s still a problem you may need a tonal adjustment by a luthier, where they move the sound post around to find maximum resonance. I’ve also seen a replacement bridge fix this problem when a tonal adjustment wouldn’t. Hopefully one of these ideas addresses the problem. Good luck.
Hello, professor!! My name is Fabio and I'm from Brazil: So I have some problems to understand the english language... Could you put the Closed Caption on this video, please??? Thank you very much and have a great job!! :)
Hi Fabio, I wish I could do that for you, but this one tells me it’s unavailable. Some of them are like this, which is frustrating! Very sorry and best wishes, Todd
Hehehe... No problem, professor! I also have my own problems with the technologies... I hope you a huge success with your work! I only appreciate your work and efforts to us!!! Thank you very much for your response for me and have a very good work!!! Hugs from São Carlos - Brazil!!! :)
Why didn't I find your channel before I spent a butt load of money on useless private and DVD video lessons . What type of tuning pegs are those in your violin?
Sorry, but angling the bow is not a way to cure E string squeak. Actually, not having the bow parallel to the bridge can CAUSE whistling - as noted in several other teachers' videos on this topic. (It's one cause.) What I see in your video: your "bow angling" trick causes you to have to stop and think about the string change. However one tricks oneself, once you stop/think, your bow arm starts automatically doing things that do combat whistle: slightly more attack, bow pressure, etc. It's bad to create a habit of changing bow angle to the bridge during string changes to overcome squeak. In jazz improv, this would be a devastating impediment. In your video, you have trouble getting the squeak to happen, at all. Here's how anyone can determine if they have a real problem: play Eb (A string) to open E, legato, fast, as many changes back/forth as you can in one bow stroke, at low volume. If your violin setup consistently squeals when you do this, replace the E string with one that's less likely to squeal - the Kaplan no squeal E is one alternative (it's kind of "squared" in cross section near the bridge.) Warchal's Amber E starts as a coil near the bridge, which almost disappears when the string is installed. I haven't tried the Warchal Amber, but others say it goes false quicker than other strings, and that's what I noticed with the Kaplan. Generally, lower tension E strings are less squeal prone. On my violins, the Pirastro One E string solves squeal, period. I mean I simply cannot make the E squeal after changing strings no matter how hard I try. Your bridge and sound post setup also can have a big impact on squeal, but it's more costly to experiment with that. It's better to set up your violin to not squeal, once, than develop a strange bowing anomaly that hinders your playing fluidity all the time.
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It's brilliant. Whistling e has been one of my most scariest problems and your truck did solve it for me
A non whistling E solves that problem:ruclips.net/video/Lf2zWwz1Uzc/видео.html
That's wonderful advice. I also find that making sure the bow isn't riding over the top of the harmonic partial that exists about an inch from the end of the fingerboard makes a huge difference as well.
I love your videos. The information you share is excellent!
This makes so much sense!!! Thank you for this comment. Avoiding that sound point rings clear as day.
Hey Professor! I hope I was the friend you were talking about! And I LOVE this idea....I have never ever heard of that, but I will link this video to my video so that all my viewers will see this cool tip! It's such a weird problem, and although I have eliminated about 98% of it, there are still times where I suffer from it. Can't wait to try it!
Dang. I can't find my video about Whistling E. I"m losing my mind! Maybe it was a blog post. Anyway, I'll find it and post embed your video in my post.
Red Desert Violin Hi Lora! I was reading posts on Facebook Violinists, but would very much like to read your post on the topic. Hope you are great!
Hi Todd, basically, in my article...or video...I don't remember which....some of the contributing factors to whistling E was rosin build-up, the E string being embedded in the bridge, the string tube being positioned too far forward, sounding point. I always suspected CROOKED BOW as being a cause of whistling E, but it's really great to know that sometimes the crooked bow can SOLVE IT. I've also noticed certain KEYS are worse than others. I want to say D minor, but I'm not certain. Anyway, great tip!
+Loralyn Staples totally agree with the D minor scale being worse at whistling or squeaking.
My worst one specifically is Bach chaconne's 2nd chord in the beginning (D-G-Bb-E)!
That bach chord is exactly the one that makes mine whistle almost every time and it's why I looked for this video lol
This is brilliant. I have been struggling with this for a year, but at least now I know that I'm not insane and other people have this problem! Now I can start trying out your solutions :) thanks!
Thanks Professor! I've been looking on how to solve this problem, 'cos everytime I go from C or D of A string to open E string, it whistles EVERYTIME. This really helps.
That would drive you crazy, I'm sure. If it happens every time, I'd recommend trying a different E string. Perhaps one that is 'wound' instead of plain steel. Also make sure the rosin has been cleaned off the E string as build up can increase the chance of this problem. Good luck!
This could not have come up at a more opportune time--I have my violin "final" on Friday and there are a ton of double, triple, whatever stops towards the middle and end and they're absolutely DREADFUL. I can't play two strings at once to save my damn life. Hopefully this helps, I'm going to go try it!
lol i have to play my solo for a contest tomorrow and i couldnt get the last 4 chords without my e string whistling, this just saved me ahhhh thanks even tho this was so long ago haha
Good idea, Todd. I've not seen that approach; I'll have to give it a try. I've also found that a Thomastik Dominant wound E string (#129 or #130) helps to avoid the dreaded E whistle. But that's just my experience. I see that others have tried other strings with success. 'Tis a problem that many deal with on this wonderful instrument.
The whistling is a sound I am quite familiar with. Thanks for this video!
I noticed that lowering bow hand elbow sometimes helps.
I am more likely to get a whistling E string when the note being played before hitting the E string is the Eb on the A string. The whistling will not occur when crossing from a note with more common low harmonics, it seems. For instance, crossing from the open A to open E strings rarely causes a whistle. Crossing from Eb (A string) to open E and it whistles often. I think it is related to coincident or close harmonics.....resonances that help get the E string vibrating ....or not vibrating. Just a thought. Larry
Ah, the annoying whistling E! :) Speaking as a player and teacher, that's interesting about the bow angle advice. I had only tried changing the angle once per bow (I think) when I was having problems. Thank you both!
I will say that my own near 100% cure was to switch to the Kaplan non-whistling E (on all my fiddles) and just stay with that. Also...I tried a new bow rehair person who seems to get a much improved grade of hair vs from where I was having it done the past 10 years. (That was another constant bow drama) :) but I believe it made a continuing difference in any potential whistling. I simply don't experience it anymore. Never expected that. Cheers!
Thank you! I have been having so much stress about this for a particular song I need to play this weekend. I just purchased a new string today which I know will help but this video gives me something else to try as well. Thank you for all your help! :)
Good luck, Karen!
OMG. Thanks from a violist.
Yes! This is the answer! Many thanks.
Great to see u again. Happy Holidays !
It's a really useful video. Thanks for this!
Happy holidays Professor.
If it's possible, plz play and post some Christmas songs... :)
Always happy to see your videos.. :)
Thanks so much for this!
Hi ProfV,
Concerning the whistling "E" string. Several years ago I happened upon the whistle free "E" string put out by Kaplan ((D'Addario). It works like a charm, is not pricy and the tone is quite decent. I do not work for and am not associated with the company. It has been a pleasure to play over the years without the darn whistling.
Al Colombo
Thanks, Al. I was just talking with someone else who uses that string. I appreciate you taking time to share the info. Best regards.
Yes, the Kaplan string eliminates the problem completely on my violin. I haven't tried the Pirastro Universal, but it is also supposed to do the job.
Interesting, Katedu. I was just reading an interview with Lara St. John, where she said she had never found any brand to eliminate this problem, including wound strings (Quest for Tone, Strings Magazine, January, 2015). I was told that the problem can be helped with a tonal adjustment.
I'm a fiddler who plays for dances, so my attack is fairly strong. I was out of Kaplan E-strings last month and put on on the E that came with a set of Dominants. The whistling was horrendous. I had to put the old Kaplan back on until I could get a new one. Apparently my fiddle is prone to whistling on the E-string, but with the right type of string the problem disappears. I could well believe that a tonal adjustment might help, but it might also alter the tone in other ways. Right now the tone of my fiddle is more-or-less the way I like it. Thanks for the hint on technique though, as it may still come in handy depending upon conditions.
Thanks, Katedu! I'm glad you found a solution for this problem. I will try one myself.
Hey,thanks,its true,usually it does whistle while bow hair closer to fingerboard on E.
I ll try to crook it
Great suggestions -- Merry Christmas!
You just bow closer to the bridge and its the same thing. My luthier fixed it for me a few years ago by putting in a metallic bridge protector and telling me to use only wound E strings. Haven't had a whistling e-string ever since.
Merry Chritsmas and thanks for this new video!
Thanks, Linuxica! Same to you and hope you've been well! I always appreciate your kind comments.
I use goldbrokat E and does not whistle anymore
Hello Prof V,
You can reduce the likelihood of whistling "E" by twisting the string before putting the loop or ball into the adjuster.
I do this and rarely get a whistle. Can't remember the last time it happened.
gc
Can you please tell me how to “twisting” the string? Thanks.
very useful tip. thank you
thanks
This is great! Thank you. Merry Christmas professor!
Thanks, Mr_Sterg! Same to you.
hey professor! Happy holidays to you too.
i have been facing a lot of this whistling E string for some years now, and i have no idea how to get rid of it. i will try this trick when i encounter it at the near future.
i have a question. i also faced this problem, but with the G string. but it only happen when i do double stop at 7th position at the G string and open D string. do you know how to avoid it? thanks :)
Thank you!
My F# on my e string 1st finger position always sounds scratchy and very unclear. But my open e sounds fine. Is there something wrong with my technique or violin setup?
KZ8521, that sounds like a problem with the violin. If it’s an older violin you might check the fingerboard at the point where the first finger makes contact. Sometimes grooves develop, making it hard to fully stop the string with the fingertip. That can easily be fixed by a good luthier. As an experiment, try playing the F# with your second finger, just to see if it sounds different. If it does, this would indicate a need to re-evaluate your first finger technique. Perhaps you’re not getting the string down far enough. Good luck.
@@professorV Thanks so much for your quick response! I tried with all my other fingers and pressed as hard as I could but the sound is still scratchy. Anything beyond the F# sounds ok so it's only in the range from F to G. I checked my violin and there are some inconsistencies in the fingerboard that look like several small holes but they don't feel like they make the fingerboard rough or anything. It is also a brand new student-level violin. Should I just return it and purchase another one instead of going to a luthier?
KZ8521 I’ve had that experience many times, but with lower pitches, and never on the E string. Have you heard of Wolf tones? They frequently occur on notes high up the G string, but I’ve run into them on open A twice. It can drive you crazy! I’m curious; try playing the F# on the D string (2nd finger) and see if you get any of the same problems. If you do, I’d definitely consider trading it in for a different violin. Sometimes a small adjustment of the soundpost can this less obvious, but you’ll have to take it to a luthier to get that done, which is probably a good idea anyway. Good luck!
My A string is whisling🙃😐
What to do?
Art beats, that’s more unusual. Is the problem there every time you bow open A? Does the string keep ringing if you quickly lift the bow off the string, or does the ringing stop (compared to the other strings)? I’d start by making sure the A string is not cutting into the bridge, which can happen with a narrow diameter steel string. If it is, you’ll probably need to visit a luthier, or at least install a steel string with a little plastic tube that keeps this from happening. If the bridge looks ok, you should install a new string and see if it improves. If it’s still a problem you may need a tonal adjustment by a luthier, where they move the sound post around to find maximum resonance. I’ve also seen a replacement bridge fix this problem when a tonal adjustment wouldn’t. Hopefully one of these ideas addresses the problem. Good luck.
@@professorV thank you soo much for your detailed advices sir.. i solved my issues. Thank you for helping me😇😊
Hello, professor!! My name is Fabio and I'm from Brazil: So I have some problems to understand the english language... Could you put the Closed Caption on this video, please??? Thank you very much and have a great job!! :)
Hi Fabio, I wish I could do that for you, but this one tells me it’s unavailable. Some of them are like this, which is frustrating! Very sorry and best wishes, Todd
Hehehe... No problem, professor! I also have my own problems with the technologies... I hope you a huge success with your work! I only appreciate your work and efforts to us!!! Thank you very much for your response for me and have a very good work!!! Hugs from São Carlos - Brazil!!! :)
Tks prof
thanks!
Why didn't I find your channel before I spent a butt load of money on useless private and DVD video lessons .
What type of tuning pegs are those in your violin?
!!!
Sorry, but angling the bow is not a way to cure E string squeak. Actually, not having the bow parallel to the bridge can CAUSE whistling - as noted in several other teachers' videos on this topic. (It's one cause.) What I see in your video: your "bow angling" trick causes you to have to stop and think about the string change. However one tricks oneself, once you stop/think, your bow arm starts automatically doing things that do combat whistle: slightly more attack, bow pressure, etc. It's bad to create a habit of changing bow angle to the bridge during string changes to overcome squeak. In jazz improv, this would be a devastating impediment. In your video, you have trouble getting the squeak to happen, at all. Here's how anyone can determine if they have a real problem: play Eb (A string) to open E, legato, fast, as many changes back/forth as you can in one bow stroke, at low volume. If your violin setup consistently squeals when you do this, replace the E string with one that's less likely to squeal - the Kaplan no squeal E is one alternative (it's kind of "squared" in cross section near the bridge.) Warchal's Amber E starts as a coil near the bridge, which almost disappears when the string is installed. I haven't tried the Warchal Amber, but others say it goes false quicker than other strings, and that's what I noticed with the Kaplan. Generally, lower tension E strings are less squeal prone. On my violins, the Pirastro One E string solves squeal, period. I mean I simply cannot make the E squeal after changing strings no matter how hard I try. Your bridge and sound post setup also can have a big impact on squeal, but it's more costly to experiment with that. It's better to set up your violin to not squeal, once, than develop a strange bowing anomaly that hinders your playing fluidity all the time.
thanks