No guts!

[hazel]

The D-string of my cello broke this week and I had to buy a new one. It was only when I got it home and was stringing it in that I realised it was a metal string, not gut. Either they aren't making gut strings any more or you have to ask for them explicitly (and I bet they are twice as expensive).

A metal string plays differently. I am going to have to learn how to make it sound right. And I was just thinking: if this was a computer program, I could just post a question in the forum.

Hey, does anyone here use the new metal D-string? I just upgraded from gut and my bow 
doesn't work the same way. I'd appreciate a few tips.

and I'd get plenty of good advice.

What a pity real life doesn't work that way.

[Irithori]

No idea about these guys here, but maybe worth a try?
INTERNET CELLO SOCIETY
Cello Heaven • Index page

Seems, non-IT people also use the internet

[hazel]

Thanks, Ithori! Now why didn't I think of googling that?

Actually I've been browsing around those sites today and they are full of professionals who buy their strings by brand name (and think nothing of paying $100 per string!). It seems from what I have seen around there that everyone uses steel strings nowadays. They only try gut out of curiosity to see what cellos used to sound like.

They don't give any tips on how to play steel strings because everyone is supposed to know that, but they do frequently mention that you need a different technique to play gut strings, so the reverse is also likely to be true.

I think I've cracked it. This string has a higher tension than the old gut string so I have to press down harder on the fingerboard and dig in a bit deeper with my bow too. It was easier today than yesterday and I feel a bit less miffed.

[cousinlucky]

Have you recorded anything, Hazel, I'd like to check out your music??

[Freston]

I have to press down harder

I don't know if it's any help, but I know everyone, but specially guitarists, are always putting too much force on the strings when playing my bass.

The thing is, bass strings are thick and have a high tension. So when you hold it, it feels as though you need to use force to bend the instrument to your will. But as steel is stronger than your fingers, you're gonna loose. And the more force you put on it, the faster you're exhausted and your fingers hurt.

I know it took me a while, but you get a feel for what is the lightest possible touch. It should not be a struggle, and if it is a struggle then either the instrument isn't tuned right, or you should look at your technique.


At the risk of becoming tedious, but if you put force on the instrument, you effectively lock your hand in place and you loose all finesse. You should always feel you're holding it gently, being able to slide, adjust your hand position and move your fingers freely, and that includes your thumb.

[hazel]

Have you recorded anything, Hazel, I'd like to check out your music??

Who do you think I am? I'm not even up to orchestral standard, let alone solo. I'm just a rank amateur who plays base parts for the local church gospel choir. I mostly make up my own parts and print them out from my computer using an incomplete music package called StaveScribe that I'm working on concurrently.

[cousinlucky]

Please, Hazel, I did not mean to get you upset. My large family contains a lot of musicians, some of them world famous, and I like being exposed to all kinds of music!! I hoped that you could play your cello as well as you write!!

[Rubberman]

Strings are always a picky subject (pun intended) amongst instrument players. Usually it means trying different brands and different guages until you find the ones "just right" for you. Unfortunately, none of them have a "try first" policy... I know that my sister is very specific about what strings she wants for her viola, and I with my mandolin.