Hacker News Reader

Comment by sporkl | Hacker News Reader

One not-exactly-related thought is that with violins, both the room and the bow have a very large effect on the sound; it certain cases, it might be quite difficult to tell the sound of violins apart because the room itself is having an outsize effect on the sound. This doesn't by any means reject the findings of the study, was just a thought. Source: violinist for 13 years, currently attending a top US music school (for composition, not violin, but I still play in ensembles and take lessons).

Happy to try to answer any violin questions!

View on HN

> Happy to try to answer any violin questions!

As a math grad student at Indiana University, liked music, had recordings from Vivaldi through Rachmaninoff, had a dorm room next to the music school, got started on violin, and eventually make it through a few pages of Bach from the E major Preludio and the Chaconne.

Now I'd like to get back to violin, and wonder, what strings should I get? There at IU, I was told that Piastro Eudoxa strings were "good" so always used those.

What are some more recommendations?

I personally use Dominant strings for A, D, and G, with Pirastro Gold for the E string. Besides the E string, I haven't experimented with much else. If you're just getting back into things, it shouldn't matter too much; Pirastro Eudoxa also seem good. You likely already know this, but if your violin has fine tuners, you probably want to go with ball end strings instead of loop strings, and make sure to get the right size (4/4 if you're on a normal full-size violin).

Thanks. I'll keep that and use it!

My violin is a decently good one,grown up size! And I have a fine tuner only on the E string.

Is the experience of playing a very expensive violin more enjoyable? Is it easier to express the music on such an instrument? I ask because, for me, a pianist, an older Steinway B that has been meticulously maintained is so much … nicer, even easier, to get the sound I want out of the instrument, when compared to almost any other piano (with some exceptions, such as Grotrian, some Mason & Hamlins, Fandrich & Sons Custom and a few others).

It's a law of diminishing returns type of thing. I haven't played on any super super expensive violins, but there is definitely a big difference between ~$100 violins and ~$1000 violins. Generally, the more expensive the violin, the more resonant (as opposed to squeaky) it is.

Maybe I should have phrased it as “exalted” rather than “expensive.“

I play a new Bosendorfer and it’s a crazy good experience. Nothing like a Steinway though. I just don’t like Steinways but obvs not dissing them.

Violins feel markedly better at about the $3K, $5K, and $15K levels, but I’m so bad at violin that my $1K antique is perfectly fine. But bows, strings (and separately the E string) also play huge roles. Much bigger than say guitar strings for that instrument.

As someone who plays violin and piano, it's a similar experience. The more expensive violins will certainly sound better (at the minimum, they are usually more resonant), and it's much easier to evoke the emotion you'd like. The diminishing returns hit hard though, above a certain price you're paying for the history and brand.

The steinway's are wonderful instruments aren't they! I've been dreaming about it and recently had the opportunity to buy a personal NY model B and I don't regret it. The joy it brings you when complex sounds are so easy to get out the instrument, it's priceless.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com