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difficulty in high e string
Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 (1 votes) 
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dethklok241

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November 2, 2015 - 10:01 pm
Member Since: August 9, 2015
Forum Posts: 6
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 When I play passages that require higher positions on the e string, it sounds okay until i go higher up on the finger board.  It becomes very hard and difficult for me to press down all the way, and when i do, it sound like a bird trying to chirp but failing.  How do i fix this?

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coolpinkone
California, the place of my heart
November 9, 2015 - 2:42 pm
Member Since: January 11, 2012
Forum Posts: 4180
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I didn't want to ignore your question.. unfortunately I don't play up there yet.   Good luck with that .. I know it takes some skill,1st-place time.. a good violin and string... ;)

Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

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Hermes
Athens, Greece

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November 10, 2015 - 6:59 pm
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Hello

Please, let us know of the action (or relief) you've got in those areas up there. Meaning the distance between the string and the fingerboard, and the same distance, where the fingerboard ends. Something close to 3.5 mm is expected up there in the E string. That way we may eliminate a set up issue

Also, is there any chance you've got a really heavy/stark tension/gauge e string mounted? Or a particularly old one? Or a wound one?

Does this happen in the G string as well? Any chance of an incorrectly scooped fingerboard? 

 

We have to pay attention to this issues first I guess, to avoid fatigue and injury :)

Now let's suppose that everything above is ok,

Many strings could possibly work without been pressed all the way down to the fingerboard, especially e strings "up there". Up there, I relocate my fingers according to where my thumb rests to "find my way" and avoid getting lost. And sometimes, all it takes is a little pressure on the string maybe without touching the fingerboard in those really really high position, depending on the string, the player and the instrument. The weird sound you mention, could be caused by the string being pressed over it's limits. You could experiment with your bow contact point, and play where it feels less tense, and see what happens.

If still nothing happens, everything is okay with the set up, and you are sure that it's the string's fault, change the string type, or move to lower tension. After all, it's all a matter of taste :)

here are some I found softer to the left hand than others 
Thomastik Infeld Vision titanium Orchestra E
Pirastro Gold label Wondertone E
Pirastro Obligato gold plated E

And another two that I have not used before but their tension seems remarkably lower imho

Fiddlerman E String 
Warchal Amber E

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ladyeclectic

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December 3, 2015 - 11:26 pm
Member Since: December 2, 2013
Forum Posts: 45
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Is your bridge too high for the fingerboard? My previous violin had an absurdly high bridge that, whenever I tried to go above first position (or heck, even IN first position), the strings would cut into my fingers any time I'd press them. I didn't know it at the time, but I'm pretty sure somebody just ordered a standard bridge and put it on the violin without even carving or sanding anything down to make it fit the instrument.

If you can, take it to a luthier and see what they have to say. Otherwise, you might just need to develop some calluses on your fingertips (gah, what a painful procedure!) and work your way slowly up to the higher positions. Still, hope the luthier can fix whatever's the matter!!

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AnnyJ
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December 4, 2015 - 12:30 am
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I second what ladyeclectic said, I have one violin like that with a way to high bridge and going up in an even slightly higher position like 3rd just sounded awful, I only recently found out (thanks to this forum) that the bridge was to high.

I now have a second (cheapy) violin and the bridge is much lower, doesn't hurt my fingers as much and it sounds better also.

It's easy to play any musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will play itself. Johann S.Bach

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cdennyb
King for a Day, Peasant for many
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December 4, 2015 - 1:51 am
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String height is a function of bridge height, plain and simple. Some violins are built rather quickly and not necessarily correctly. It takes me about and hour to make a bridge so it isn't something to take lightly. Even after making it, I still usually spend a few hours playing, analyzing, and modifying them. I have a stick I use that is 3.5mm on one side and 1.5mm on the other side. I use that to mark the edges of the bridge and then draw a line using my 42mm radius gauge to connect the dots, and that is the proper angle or curve for pretty good string height.

IMG_20120218_210041.jpgImage EnlargerSi853555comp.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_20120218_210004.jpgImage Enlarger

"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein

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Kevin M.
Nicholson, Pa
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December 4, 2015 - 4:51 pm
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I like the stick idea.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
December 13, 2015 - 10:37 am
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16430

The stick is a great method. We use a longer stick, similar to Dennis's that lays across the whole fingerboard and has millimeters on the end. Mark the E and the G, take off the bridge (bridge jacks are handy for this) and use a template. The template can be made using a standard bridge curvature, or copy the fingerboard curve, or the curve that you already have on your bridge providing you like it.
The curve is based very much on personal and individual preferences and experience.
Be cautious not to bring the G too low as there is a risk that the string can vibrate against the fingerboard when playing.
Lastly, the nut height and fingerboard shape plays and equally important role in the final adjustment.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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