6 Tips to STOP that SQUEAKY E String as a Beginner Violinist | Violin Lounge TV #413

by | Mar 31, 2021 | Beautiful Tone, Bowing Technique, Start to Play | 8 comments

Getting a horrible noise on the violin E string?

Here are some easy to follow tips that will get you a good sound as a beginner violinist:

#1 Wipe rosin remains off your string

With a layer of old rosin on your E string it can sound very scratchy. Just wipe off the rosin with a clean dry cloth or use a string cleaner.

#2 Bow straight

Check in the mirror if you’re really bowing straight. Traveling over the string with the bow between the fingerboard and the bridge can cause some horrible noise if you don’t use it in a controlled way.

#3 Consistent contact point

Stay in the same spot between the bridge and the fingerboard. This is called the contact point. Move the contact point a little nearer to the bridge to make the E string speak more easily.

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Hi! I'm Zlata

Classical violinist helping you overcome technical struggles and play with feeling by improving your bow technique.

#4 Most common beginner problem: consistent bow speed

Make sure the bow travels over the string with a consistent speed. Slowing down or speeding up can cause some terrible sounds.

#5 Bow flow with finger action

The wrist and finger movements while bowing are very important to get a good sound out of the E string. Click here for my lesson about bowing smoothly.

#6 Try a different or at least new E string

It might be time to replace your E string. E strings are fairly cheap to experiment with and there are E strings on the market that simply speak more easily.

Click here to buy the E string Zlata personally uses and recommends.

Is your problem a whistling E string?

In this lesson I show you 13 hacks to avoid that.

Let me know in the comments below which tip was most helpful to you!

8 Comments

  1. Dagny

    Thank you for E string tips! The bowing speed tip works! My private teacher noticed this problem so I am practicing bowing speed.

    Reply
  2. Sylvia Ladan

    I will try your tip about bow speed. You have given a lot of interesting information. Thank you.

    Reply
  3. Jen

    Thank you, Zlata! As a beginner, this has been really helpful, especially tips 3 and 4. I think I have a better idea on where to start consciously fixing my bowing 🙂

    Reply
  4. Sherolyn

    Hi Zlata, will you please elaborate on why you like the No. 1 soft E string? I’ve never tried any soft strings, only medium. Do you have a recommendation for strings to make a bright violin sound sweeter and warmer? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Violinist Zlata Brouwer

      I picked this one because it’s wound, doesn’t whistle and makes my violin sound sweeter and warmer, so I’d definitely try this one.

      Reply

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  1. Sound Great in High Positions on the Violin E String | Violin Lounge TV #417 - Violin Lounge - […] Watch this video lesson! […]

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