Violin string gauges

[raguanu]

Hello,

Could someone throw some light on using numbered strings from Karuna, gauges like 22, 24 etc., like which numbers usually correspond to 1st string, 2nd string on violin like that.

I'm a student, I tune my violin to 3 kattai sruti. I'm just trying to experiment with different strings. Other suggestions on strings are welcome too.

Thanks for your contribution.

[appu]

raguanu, This topic has been discussed in the past. Do a search on the website, you may find it.

[msakella]

Dear b/s-member, raguanu, The guages of Violin-strings are tend to differ from person to person depending upon his/her personal finger- touch with the strings on the finger-board while playing the instrument. For a professional there is lot to do in this connection. But, for a student, you can get the strings of all the different guages and go on changing them until they suit to your finger-touch. If not there is every possibility of some inconvenience or other if you depend upon others suggestions. Please be careful. amsharma

[raguanu]

msakella sir, Thanks for your valuable suggestion. Actually I wanted to try slightly thicker strings than the ones on my violin. The shop keeper suggested some 2 particular numbers for strings 1 & 2. They looked indeed thicker than regular EADG labelled strings. After breaking the Sa string I realized what I had bought should be useful as strings 2 & 3 rather than 1& 2.

I realize choice of strings is very personal. However, any rough idea might keep me from breaking more strings, something like '20-25 are usable as A string for sruthis 2-3'. Thanks, once again.


@appu: I did search a bit, but everytime I ended up reading some fascinating posts, but not related to violin string guages

[appu]

raguanu, Just to quote a famous violin maestro. " A teacher knows that a student has practised based on how often the string breaks. I have known students who practice 4 to 6 hours everyday, whose SA string lasts for no more than a month.

[msakella]

Dear b/s-member, raguanu, These guage numbers from around 20 to 29 are of BWG - British Wire Guage. According to this numbers, in general, for Shruthis 2 & 3, numbers 31, 26, 25 & 22 for E, A, D & G respectively are used. If you get a ‘screw-guage’ which is used by Engineering students, it gives you still more sensitive difference of milli-metres and if you test the thickness of 3 or 4 strings of ‘26’ istself you will find the difference among them. For professionals this screw-guage is more reliable than the BWG round-plate. In fact, there are so many intricacies to find even in getting suitable Violin-strings. For any analytical brain there will always remain something to learn and there is no end for this. amsharma

[srikant1987]

A and D strings have almost same thickness? And are these numbers 31, 26, 25 and 22 indicative of the inverse of diameter (since the E string is thinnest and G is thickest).

Hmm, I tend to be gentler on strings as they look like they'll break so they last long.

[msakella]

Dear brother-member, srikant1987, I know a little of music and I try to manage myself to get on with the available limited knowledge I already have. If you ask me this kind of words like inverse or reverse or converse etc., etc., I cannot understand them and respond positively by which you will fail ultimately. amsharma

[ganesh_mourthy]

msakella sir is often times becomingly selfeffacing. probably it is a little out of his dimension of interest i.e. Thalaprasthara. dont worry he would try to give you the best answer. Of course violin was also his area of expertise. Talaprasthara came later , I presume.

[raguanu]

Thanks for the info msakella sir and others. As srikant mentioned, 'bigger the number - thinner the string' thing is a bit tricky.

@appu: I've been using the same set of strings for about an year. My practise is good, still with my low tuning (3 kattai) it's very difficult to break even the Pa string

[ganesh_mourthy]

Hi Raguanu,

I am able to recall now. In the Karuna for a 3 kattai 31 would be the steel string. The adjacent would be 29 , then 26 and the last thickest string would be 23. Hope this helps.

Ganesh_mourthy

[Sam Swaminathan]

GM - I agree with your arrangement. I do also practice at "E"- that is 29 is set in E, rest of them, 31 - Pa, 26 - Keezh Pa and 23 becomes Keezh Sa.

For accompanying adult singers, I switch 26 to the second string and set it at what ever sruthi required, say, C or B or Bs. Therefore, 23 becomes Keezh Pa and even a thicker 21 becomes keezh Sa. It goes with out saying though, that, 29 becomes your panchamam thandhi.

I do not know whether this works for others, it certainly works for me. But at the end of the concert, the fingers definitely hurt!

[ganesh_mourthy]

I have observed few violinists who play for both male and female singers , adjust the lower paa string to Madhya Sa when playing for male singers and this way one need not change the complete strings for male and female. little cumbersome though. but the problem is he cannot play mandhra Ma . but not needed really in carnatic music. It is a rare thing during accompaniment.