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Hey guys, I'm just curious if any of you actually play a 5 string violin, I heard there were even 6 and 7 string violins, but what is the main reason to have more strings? my best bet is that it simply allows you to have more notes, but does it count as a standard? And another thing is how hard can it be to switch from 4 to 5?
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I certainly can't answer your questions 
, but have you heard Peter Lee Johnson play? He plays a 5 string. Look him up on YouTube - amazing!!!!
Chinny plays 5 string electric violin =) You can watch her videos... BTW haven't seen her for a while 
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IggyZuk said
...And another thing is how hard can it be to switch from 4 to 5?
As for me it's harder only in case that there are distances between strings a little smaller =)
But playing 6 (7) string violin.... That i think is hard! 
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Woah Peter Lee Johnson is amazing!
As for me it's harder only in case that there are distances between strings a little smaller =)
I did not think of that, but that is true you have to be really careful there, I my self even with 4 strings hit the other strings all the time 
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Having 5 strings is not much harder just that you have an additional string not to hit by the G string. The top strings are the same and the 5th string is a C string just like a viola. Many violists like to play a five string to come up higher and violinists like doing it to get down a fifth lower.
You don't see 5 string violins in orchestras or chamber music though I don't doubt that it has been done. You see them more with pop, rock, jazz and unique ensembles. I would have one if I didn't play so much chamber music and in orchestras.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Many thanks FM you have answered on all my concerns, I think I might actually get a 5 string violin later on, specially since I don't exactly see my self playing in an orchestra, I personally prefer to be the solo violin, playing all sorts of music styles, and an extra string could come in VERY HANDY! 
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I agree. Would be cool to have that without having to switch to Viola. Plus you have the best of both worlds.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Speaking about the viola I recall hearing somewhere that there is either a three string version of the viola or, perhaps certain types of musicians playing with only three strings.
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