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(3 votes) 
Some time ago on here, maybe a couple of months ago, I made a post about a Possible problem with my G string. To me it sounded really odd.
Well, since getting my MJZ925 from Fiddlershop, and adjusting the weight of my bow on the string, speed of attack, distance from the bridge, etc. it sounds much better.
If any of you have better tricks for getting the very best sound out of your G string, I'm all ears.
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@tnungesser -
You are already way out ahead because you notice this issue!
I am guilty of not playing enough on my C string, but I play much more on my G, so I don't find it as much of an issue.
My instruments have 5 strings - the C string is much thicker than the G string and even harder to get sounding nice - I still struggle with it. As the strings get lower, larger in diameter, they respond slower. There is such an obvious difference between playing my lowest vs highest string, I'm not sure I would've noticed the same with just 4 strings, but all the strings are different.
Think I'd recommend playing as much as you can on the G - there's a lot of stuff going on all at once, so you probably notice enough that your ears/brain/bowing arm & hand may just need time to work out finer details with each other. 😊
Some great tips here... have you seen this video?
Hey ELCBK,
Thanks for the nice post.
I'll have to look at that video. Thanks!
Tony
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@tnungesser -
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I saw that Red Desert video before - the chinrest is interesting. It is deliberately filed off to enable the chin to rest on the far left edge of it for the purposes of playing the G string, hence it looks whiter than the rest. That's my position with my standard Guarneri, but improvements could be made.
Andrew
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@TNungesser - Glad to hear it's all better now, and also about the MJZ925 😁
You nailed it with the parameters that affect the sound. Of course the bow speed is another one, but I'm sure you're doing that automatically.
The G string does require that we left our arms up a bit more which is probably not as comfortable as the E string, but when you get into good habits, it's like anything else. You just need to get used to it.
Most people who get a bad sound from the G string are playing too close to the bridge, or not pressing hard enough to compensate for the close distance to the bridge.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Red desert, I think, comments that her trick with the G string is not universally approved, and my teacher probably wouldn't approve. The problem is, it puts the violin in a bad position for the other strings. To use this trick you have to be able to revert to a higher, less sloping position for normal play. Before deciding that you have to play the G sting this way, it's worth watching an alternative. The main points are, the right shoulder is low, the right elbow is high.
pp=ygURTWVudWhpbiBhdmUgbWFyaWE%3D
Otoh, Hahn's violin is on quite a steep slope
pp=ygULTW96YXJ0IGszMDE%3D
Andrew
Verified human - the ignominy!
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@Gordon Shumway -
I would look to a more recent video of Hilary Hahn - it appears (to me) she has changed her violin position.
Worth looking at the Some Tips on String Crossings Thread - good timing of elbow height change is a consideration for tone when moving over to the G string.
Mouse
Fiddlerman
ELCBK
