Frequently Asked Questions About Violins & Fiddles: Tonal Problems

Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2004 23:22:02 +0000

Hi Mickey,

Greetings,

First, Thanks for your great effort in helping violin amateurs and prof.s

Glad to have assisted...

I'd like to know something.
When i play a note on a string { for example string (D) } and play the same note on any other string
such as string (A) i feel that the sound is different{ the note is not soft as if i played it on string D} but it sounds the same note . also that happens when i play a note on string (A) and play it on string (E)

This is because the A string is unwound...this makes the note somewhat more trebly than the wound string of the D. You'll notice that both the G and D string have similar tonality; whereas, the A and E string have their own more trebly tonality. I believe the attributes of the string itself contributes to this difference in tone that you describe.

After all , i mean that the pitch has the same frequency but sounds harder (sharper)

Yes, this is truly the construction of the string that influences this tonal difference. I also play violin...and if I'm looking for a more piercing tone, I'll look to play the note of choice on the unwound strings...if I'm looking to soften the note, I'll attempt to find the note on the wound strings...it also seems to be warmer in tone on the wound strings. Another approach to softening the tone is to draw the bow closer to the fingerboard...for, when drawing the bow closer to the bridge, the tone becomes more piercing and trebly...

I asked someone but he told me that this is normal so composers do something called (Sul D)
Is he right? or my violin has a problem?

Nope, you violin appears to be playing as expected...

If you want a softer warmer tone on the treble strings, you might consider changing your strings...and finding a brand of strings that will contribute to this softer sound on the treble side...

Mickey

if he is right how can i do this (Sul D)?
I would be grateful if you could answer me.
Ahmed,(Vilion self-teaching)