You are here: DIME Home > Music > Types of Cello Strings: An Overview


Types of Cello Strings: An Overview

There are many, many different brands and types of cello strings for the beginner, intermediate and professional player. Some of these strings are very affordable, some less so depending on their core material as well as the material they are wound with.

Author: Nathan Weiss
Date: Dec 16, 2013 - 5:19:03 AM


Printer FriendlyPrinter friendly page

There are many, many different brands and types of cello strings for the beginner, intermediate and professional player. Some of these strings are very affordable, some less so depending on their core material as well as the material they are wound with. Cello, viola and violin strings look deceptively simple, but modern strings are actually quite complex in their technology. The story of the evolution of the cello string is an interesting one.



Cello string cores have been typically made of gut or metal. Gut – from goat and sheep – was the sole material used from the earliest periods of bowed stringed instruments up to the early 20th century, when steel strings were finally introduced. Gut strings were used because of the beautiful warm tones they produced. Their drawback, however, was that pure gut strings lacked brilliance and volume.



The materials used to make strings, as well as how those materials are used, have a drastic effect on the weight of the strings. This in turn affects the tone and volume output of the strings by allowing for greater or lesser tension.



By the early 20th century, there were two types of strings: traditional gut strings and the steel core strings, which were finding favor with the top performers of the day. Soon, inventors in Austria created a hybrid string, which had a gut core but was wound with metal, allowing for the best of both worlds. These strings were a mix of the warm sound produced by gut and the more brilliant strings produced with metal. Newer, modern strings are increasingly using synthetic materials, like plastics and are referred to as “synthetic core strings”.



The open cello strings are pitched, lowest to highest C, G, D and A respectively. Today, with all the choices of core strings, choosing the right strings for your cello may seem daunting. Especially since most major manufacturers like Thomastik-Infeld, Pirastro, Larsen and D’Addario now offer a multitude of brands. Each brand offers the standard cores like gut, metal and synthetic, but also different levels of tension, labeling the strings “soft”, “medium” and “hard”.



Even more considerations to take into account are: What type of music are you going to be playing on your cello? Where are you going to be playing? What is the weather and humidity where you live? What type of cello do you play?



So how does one choose? Aside from the tried and trued method of trial and error, it is advised to take your cello into a highly regarded violin shop close to you and ask their experts for assistance. They will ask you the questions above and help you to put together a collection of strings that will produce the volumes and tones you desire. Unlike violins and violas, for which string sets are typically used, you will find that on the cello, the expert will most likely recommend different types of strings for each string position. Choosing your strings is a different process from choosing any other cello accessory, like cello rosin. You want to perform your due diligence because, aside from purchasing your instrument, choosing the right strings for your cello is the biggest and most important decision you will make in terms of achieving the best sound and tone from your instrument.

Cello, viola and violin strings look deceptively simple, but modern strings are actually quite complex in their technology.Choosing your strings is a different process from choosing any other cello accessory, like cello rosin.



View all articles by Nathan Weiss

Link to this article:

Code to copy: <a href="http://www.dime-co.com/music/Types-of-Cello-Strings-An-Overview.shtml">Types of Cello Strings: An Overview</a>




Related Articles...

Why MP3 Search Box is Revolutionary

May 23, 2011 - 3:11:46 PM

MP3 Search Box is an absolutely free program allowing you to save any audio track from any music video. If you like any music on YouTube, but are not interested in its video then use Download music from YouTube to easily download the music separately.... [Read the full story]

How To Play Electric Guitar

May 5, 2011 - 3:26:11 PM

The first electrical guitar was a train line sleeper with strings.... [Read the full story]

The DJ from the 40s to Nowadays

May 3, 2011 - 9:19:39 AM

When you go to the disco or attend an electronic music concert, much of your fun is due to the DJ who works at the console, who use a Behringer mixer, for example, and who chooses the songs to mix and play trying to make everybody dance and have fun.  ... [Read the full story]

Benefits of Music –The Information Your Children Must Not Live Without

Apr 19, 2011 - 8:30:08 PM

Adults and children alike are able to access the benefits of music, and it is a universally accepted fact that parents want the best for their children, right? It is also a universally accepted fact that music can, and does, affect the brain in many, many ways. The purpose of this article is to highlight the benefits of music and the major ways I believe that learning a musical instrument, particularly the piano or keyboard, is one of the best ways to build confidence in children.... [Read the full story]


Newest Articles in Popular Topics:

Business & Marketing Computers & the Internet Entertainment Health & Fitness
Finding Ways To Save Money And Maximize Revenue In Business
Cooper's Golf Park Tees Off Their New Website
Fiinovation Adjudged CSR Team of the Year & Caring Company at World CSR Day
Reasons Why Kale Realty is the Best Real Estate Firm in All of Chicago
Montreal Tech Startup Kangaroo Rewards Launches Mobile Loyalty Program for Local Merchants
It is time we break out of the SEO Shelter
3 Strong Reasons You Should Start Your Own Blog
Evolve Your Career With CompTIA A+ Certification Exam
High speed VMware Backups - Powered by UltraBlaze(™) from Vembu
Things to Consider When Selecting a Domain Name for Your Website
Fling Boom "Launches" This Holiday Season
Beautiful Abstract Canvas Art is Up for Grabs
Buying Art as a Gift: Tips From an Expert
Complete Guide to the 2014 Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival Released by Jackson Mountain Homes
Learn Blues Music Online-Alternative to Traditional Piano Lessons
Causes and Treatment of Acne
What Type Of Constipation Home Remedies Are There?
Manual Wheelchairs: Buying One
Instant Facelift with Dental Implants
Lasik Surgery Leading Correction Of Vision Issues

Home & Family

Shopping

Sports

Travel
Enhance Your Learning Experience Through Best Responsive Elearning Development Tools
Best Apps for Learning German
Esvees is Cranbourne's Elite Hair Dressing Company
Ozone Generator
Practical Tips When Choosing Gates and Gate Openers for Your Home or Business
Why Cases are Required for Mobile Phones?
Are Dealership Services Worth It?
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Named Must-Shop SUV for Towing from AutoTrader.com
Online Selling With An Appraisal Advantage
Macsome AudioBook Converter released New Version V2.0.4
Aditi Ashok signs off with a double
Softball Coaching: Avoid Becoming A Nattering Nabob of Negativity
Softball Coaching Tips - The Funnel Approach
Pick Up Specialized Advice on Jumping Exercises Which Are Highly Effective
Vertical Jump Training Tactics to Increase Your Athletic Performance
Tips for Choosing the Right Paris Short Lets
Hostels - the best choice for working womens and college students
Perfect holiday? Book a cruise and sail in Croatia!
Say Aloha to Your Best Vacation Ever with Kohala Coast Properties
The Perfect Guide for a Fantastic Family Trip to Kansas City

 



Follow & Share Your Favorite Video Articles

Tell a Friend About This Site



Chamber of Commerce - on the Web logo



Subscribe to the eMarket SmartsTM Newsletter in order to keep up to date with what's happening with dime-co.com, get the emails on new video articles, featured articles, and more. Your privacy is always protected. We never rent, sell or trade your private information

:
:

Service provided by GetResponse Autoresponders


Recommended Associates


Latest Articles in All Categories


Putting Up a Small Commercial Printing Business
So You Might Be Unemployed And Desire To Become A San Francisco Real Estate Investor Now
Meditation and Mindfulness: Dealing With Emotion
CPA Websites: Five Essential Ideas for Composing Convincing Articles
Set Goals In Order to Come Up With Your Action Plan
Is the Air in Your Home Safe to Breathe?
Coarse Fishing Tackle Review: The JW Young 13ft Trotter Rod
Section 1031 Exchanges For San Diego Real Estate Investors
Phoenix Real Estate Investing For Highest Possible Earnings
Legendary are the Volk Racing TE37 Wheels
Developing the Next Generation Wall Station (ChaseDesk™) for Healthcare - A Case Study
What are step down transformers?
Introducing Sharehype, the Revolutionary Tool for Online Marketers
Rewards To Shopping For Austin Real Estate On The Web
Hydroponics for Beginners



Do you write?

Would you like submit your articles and have them approved on a priority status? Find out more about how you can become a Priority author for pennies a day! Click here.

Dime-co.com Home
  • Business (9328)
  • Computers & The Internet (5740)
  • Entertainment (1348)
  • Family (958)
  • Finance (1963)
  • Health (4246)
  • Home and Living (6670)
  • Marketing (6113)
  • Shopping & Product Reviews (2624)
  • Sports (694)
  • Travel and Vacations (1689)
  • Video Articles (1)
  • Editors Pick (1)