Thought Of The Week: Choosing Strings

Choosing the right strings can feel like an overwhelming task. There are so many different brands and it can be challenging to know where to even begin.

The very first thing that you need to consider is what are the tonal qualities of your violin. Do you have a darker instrument? Or do you happen to have a brighter instrument? There is nothing wrong with having either but it is really important when you look for strings. 

My recommendation would be to begin with a set of extremely neutral strings like Thomastik-Infeld Dominants. These strings are a perfect starting point, they sound good and for many this is where their string choosing journey ends. For those that are a bit more curious keep on reading…

If you have a darker sounding violin perhaps experimenting with a brighter set of strings. It could help bring out some more colors or characteristics in your instrument. My suggestion would be to try Thomastik-Infeld Pi. 

If you have a bright sounding violin you might want to try something a bit warmer like Pirastro Obligato. 

Selecting strings can be very personal and I am not being sponsored by either Thomastik-Infeld or Pirastro but this is a great starting point. Changing strings can completely change the way your violin plays for the better and perhaps can even be better than you thought it was before.