Why did my violin string break when tuning?

Breaks between the upper nut and peg: in almost every case, this breakage is caused by tuning/tightening the string too high. The transition to the upper winding, where the string goes from metal to thread wrapped, is the weakest part of the string.

Can a guitar string snap while tuning?

Just as sharp tuning posts can act like little string cutters, dirty or misshapen nut slots can break strings too.

What happens if a violin string breaks?

If you’re talking about a violin soloist playing a concerto, it depends on when the string breaks. If it’s at the beginning of the piece, the soloist might simply replace the string then and there. But if the concerto is in progress, the concertmaster might hand the soloist his or her instrument.

What causes a violin string to snap?

If they are sitting on top of the grooves (because the slots or top nut is too narrow) then they won’t be able to slide properly while tuning. This generates a volatile stress point, which is typically followed by a snapping sound, whipping noises, and mumbled cursing.

Do old violin strings break easily?

Proper violin care begins with the right case, a high-quality humidity control accessory (like Boveda’s) and proper storage locations. Constant fluctuations of hot-to-cold, humid-to-dry, and then back again causes brittle strings that are more prone to breaking.

Does it hurt when a guitar string breaks?

Guitar strings are not dangerous, and it’s extremely rare for them to cause significant injury. However, the ends of guitar strings can be sharp enough to break the skin, and a broken string can whip with a decent amount of force—trim strings at the guitar head to reduce the risk of eye-poking.

Are violin strings easy to break?

Violin strings are tough enough to withstand the rigor of your fingers, the tension between the pegs and the tailpiece, and your bowing. They are not designed to withstand certain issues with your violin anatomy. Paying attention to where they snapped along the violin’s body is a clue as to why they broke.

Can a violin string break while playing?

But all strings can break from ordinary use. As you play the violin, the metal is gradually worn away; which will ultimately cause the strings to break. Violin strings can also break when they are over-tightened. Inexperienced players have a tendency to turn the peg too far when setting up the strings on their own.

How much does it cost to fix a broken violin string?

We recommend taking your violin to your violin instructor or your luthier, the first time or two. While replacing violin strings isn’t a complicated task, it’s important that you learn to do it correctly. Most music stores will change violin strings for $20 or less, so it’s an affordable repair.