Is my violin busted, or am I doing something wrong?!
Question: Basically, I used to play violin in 3rd grade and I am really interested in it again but I wasn't exactly sure if I would STAY in it because I already play, like, 8 instruments. So basically, I got this violin off of Ebay, because my parents really didn't want to pay 1,000 dollars for something that they weren't sure I wasn't going to stick with. Here's what I need help with:
Problems:
-the bow is too loose. I tightened it and put rosin on it, but it just makes a muffled noise that is barely audible.
-The freakin thing will not stay in tune! I restrung it, but I can't even go from G to E without having to repeat it all over again. I finally got soooo tired of tuning the thing over and over for like 20 minutes that I stopped.
I am almost POSITIVE that the thing is a cheap imitation. I think we are going to send it back but I didn't know if it was something I was doing wrong.
If somebody could help me that would be great!
Answers: Basically, I used to play violin in 3rd grade and I am really interested in it again but I wasn't exactly sure if I would STAY in it because I already play, like, 8 instruments. So basically, I got this violin off of Ebay, because my parents really didn't want to pay 1,000 dollars for something that they weren't sure I wasn't going to stick with. Here's what I need help with:
Problems:
-the bow is too loose. I tightened it and put rosin on it, but it just makes a muffled noise that is barely audible.
-The freakin thing will not stay in tune! I restrung it, but I can't even go from G to E without having to repeat it all over again. I finally got soooo tired of tuning the thing over and over for like 20 minutes that I stopped.
I am almost POSITIVE that the thing is a cheap imitation. I think we are going to send it back but I didn't know if it was something I was doing wrong.
If somebody could help me that would be great!
Well, that is what you get for buying a violin from ebay.
NEVER BUY AVIOLIN FROM EBAY OR SECOND HAND UNLESS YOU KNOW A LOT ABOUT VIOLINS.
Go to a proper violin shop...NOT a general music shop....and see what they have for beginners. Violins have to be set up properley and it takes a luthier to do this correctly.
A beginners outfit will include violin, bow, case, rosin and perhaps a shoulder rest.This will cost about $250.
Don't worry about brands ; as long as the violin is purchased from a violin shop then they will set it up so that it sounds okay.
http://www.sharmusic.com/violins_beg_bod...
PROBLEMS WITH YOUR VIOLIN :
1.The bow may need a rehair. This could explain the muffled sound. That will not be worth doing if it is a cheap bow.
2.Is the sound post still in position ? Look through the F holes.It may have come loose or it may not even have one !
3. If your violin is going out of tune all the time then it sounds like your tailgut is slipping. This is easily replaced yourself and they cost about $5 from the violin shop. The tailgut is the piece of nylon that holds the tailpiece on to the end button.
4. The pegs could be slipping too. Make sure you are pushing them in as you tune. Use some peg compound (Pirastro) on the pegs to stop slipping or stiff pegs. But it really sounds to me like the tailgut is gone.
PS Judge a violin on its sound....not its price. I have owned $200 violins that sounded much better than some $1,000 violins.
Play it before you buy it.
ebay????
hmm... doesn't sound dodgy AT ALL?
your violin sounds like its totally busted - the bow at least anyway... the tuning thing happened to me when i changed my strings - push the peg in when you're tuning: but in the end i just took it to my teacher and she did... something... with it :)
take it to the shop. now. But is has to be a proper violin shop - one that only sells and fixes violins ( or cellos)
good luck in getting another violin!
maybe look at buying a second had one from the shop - don't buy a violin unless you've looked and listened to it in person!
With ebay it is very very possible.
hahahh! ebay product.. =D