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I have a violin made in 2021 but I've had a couple of months.
If I bow lightly on the open G or bow hard it sounds beautiful. But when I play any note on the string lightly it sounds odd to me. But if I play the note really loud the string sounds better. Much better. My other strings don't have this issue. I switched to Pro-Arte strings but it is still doing it. I took off the practice tapes my teacher put on and it still sounds odd when playing notes on the string. I have tried different bow speeds. The only thing that seems to make it sound right is playing notes on the G string loud, like Piere Holstein plays on his YouTube videos. He seems to really dig into his playing.
I checked the bridge. The feet are flat on the violin. I looked at it super closely with a flashlight. It is at the proper 90° angle. I did put Wittner geared pegs on it myself and Wittner tailpiece with 4 string adjusters on it myself as well. When I installed the tailpiece I put tape up against the feet of the bridge to mark exactly where it goes when I re-installed it. So I know the bridge is where it was when I got the violin.
Well I'll be dang, I was just listening to Piere's "Learn to Play Raglan Road on the Violin" here: (52) Learn to play Raglan Road on the VIolin - YouTube
and his G string sounds exactly like mine when I play notes on it. If you go exactly to 1:28 you will hear it.
Do you think it could be a post issue under the bridge?
I have attached a file playing open G and A on the G string.
Regulars
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Do you mean the slight gap, if so it could be either too much rosin build up on the string, or the bow, have you another bow to try. if its neither of these it may well be a matter of your own bowing, dont think sound post would affect it, maybe others on here have an idea.
Cant beat a sunny day
Regulars
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I think your A sounds fine.
You should double check your tuning to be sure you're in tune. Then try posting a new recording using long slow bows instead of the short bows if you're still concerned but I think the A sounds fine.
The tone of the open G, to me, is a bit raw but that could just be the violin's voice or the recording quality. I doubt any of it is a soundpost issue. You can check your string height over the fingerboard to be sure that your G string isn't buzzing against the fingerboard when vibrating. If the string heights are to spec then its probably just your ear hearing something that you personally don't find "correct." That doesn't mean it isn't "correct", it means that you hear it in a way that doesn't strike you as being on the money.
You mentioned taking off the fingertapes your teacher had put on your violin. You can (should) ask your teacher for their opinion on what you think is happening. If you're unhappy with your sound, then that's a discussion that needs to be had with a knowledgeable someone who can actually assess what's going on in real time.
Hi RDP and Stringy,
Thanks so much for your help. It could be my own ear. I have re-done the recording. It could be I have over-rosined my bows. Anyway, maybe after you hear this recording, you can tell me if it sounds okay to you. I used a tuner to make sure it is tuned to G and then played a A on the G string using my tuner as well.
My G string is 4.5mm and E is 3mm height.
There is no buzzing on the fingerboard.
P.S. I only had a teacher for 2 weeks and he retired.
Regulars
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@tnungesser -
There's nothing wrong with your G string.
You have to treat each string differently, with the bow, to get the best sound - big difference between playing the G string & the E string.
If you think it doesn't match well with your other strings, then experiment with a different brand of G string.
- Emily
Regulars
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Emily is right, nothing wrong with your string, sounds good.
Cant beat a sunny day
Regulars
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I listened to the second recording - there's nothing wrong with your G string. Absolutely nothing wrong with your soundpost either, your violin has a beautiful voice.
Regulars
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@tnungesser G string sounds fine. The G string is thicker, and the angle to bow it can sometimes take more time to get used to.
Characterize people by their actions and you will never be fooled by their words.
Thanks to all of you for taking the time to help me on this. I really appreciate it.
Tony
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Hey,
The unfocused sound spots from the first recording sound as though your bow was traveling too close to the bridge. In order to play real close to the bridge one most press very hard. Not recommended as a beginner and this will produce a very powerful sound.
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