13 Hacks to AVOID a WHISTLING E String on the Violin | Violin Lounge TV #399
Not sure why your violin E string whistles, doesn’t speak or gives a horrible noise?
With these 13 checks the problem will be solved:
No need to switch to the viola 😉
Let’s start with the checks for your violin, because the fault could be the material and not your playing.
#1 Remove rosin with a cloth or even alcohol.
#2 Is the bridge set up correctly between F holes and is it standing up straight?
#3 Is the finetuner installed correctly and is the string placed correctly in the finetuner?
#4 Check if the bridge protector is not too much over the string.
#5 Find a different E string. For me no 1 by Pirastro solved my E string whistles.
#6 Changes in weather condition, humidity or temperature could cause whistling. Let your violin get used to a room, keep it out of it’s case and/or use a humidifier if necessary.
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Playing technique tips to avoid a whistling violin E string:
#7 Make clear string crossings. Too light bowing will not let the string speak properly. Check your arm position as I show in the video above.
This video with 20 tips to not hit other strings and sound scratchy on the violin might be useful to you.
#8 Experiment with bow speed: superficial bowing will trigger a whistle.
#9 Free the E string from your left hand index finger. It sounds silly, but this happens on every level.
#10 Use more weight in chords.
#11 Make a subtle accent to make sure the E string will speak.
#12 Experiment with the contact point: the E string won’t speak well near the fingerboard. In higher positions you should move even more in the direction of the bridge.
#13 Start bow stroke a bit crooked on the E string (frog to your body and tip to scroll) and straighten it out right away. This might work for some (softer) bows.
Very helpful tips! I will try these. I appreciate your wisdom!
Happy to help!
Thank you! Trying to find your comment information as I purchased your class. At 73 years of age I’m about 2 1/2 years along. This is a wonderful thing to be learning!
I hope to find a way to send comments to you.
Welcome to Bow like a Pro, Susan! As I didn’t want to provide your log in details here in the public comments, I’ve just sent you an e-mail. Please let me know if everything works! All the best, Zlata