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Why do my violin strings keep breaking in the same spot?
If you have ever experienced your violin string breaking in the same spot repeatedly, it can be frustrating and perplexing. Sometimes it's very easy to know why a string broke, but other times it's a mystery that must be solved.
In this blog, we will explore some of the most common reasons why a violin string might be breaking in the same spot every time and what you can do to prevent it.
1. Rough or Sharp Edges
One of the most common reasons why a violin string might be breaking in the same spot every time is due to rough or sharp edges on the nut or bridge. These rough or sharp edges can cause the string to get snagged whilst tuning with the pegs, causing the strings to tear and eventually snap.
This can happen if your instrument hasn't been professionally set up by a trained luthier, or if the grooves have worn down over time. To avoid the hassle of strings breaking in these areas, we recommend purchasing a violin from a string specialty store and to have your violin serviced regularly.
A trained luthier will ensure that the grooves on the nut and bridge are filed to the correct depth and angle, and free of any sharp edges. They will also lubricate the grooves with a lead pencil to ensure the strings glide smoothly through the grooves when being tuned with the pegs. For more info on professional setups, check out our blog 'What is a professional string instrument setup?'.
Below is an image of a string that has caught at the nut and is about to break. If your string is breaking around this area, or around the bridge, we recommend booking in with a trained luthier so that they can assess your instrument and smooth out any sharp edges.
2. Playing Style & Fingernail Length
The playing style and fingernail length of a musician can also contribute to a string breaking in the same spot every time. If the musician tends to bow with a lot of force or uses a lot of vibrato in a particular area of the fingerboard, it can cause the string to wear unevenly, leading to breakage.
Something that we see quite regularly are strings that have started to unravel where the player puts their fingers, and this is caused by having long nails. Once the outer winding of the string is damaged and begins to unravel, not only is it uncomfortable to play on, but it is more likely to break. To avoid this, keep your fingernails clipped nice and short and round them off with a nail file.
Below is an example of a string that has begun to unwind due to the player having long fingernails.
3. Over Tightened Strings
Finally, over-tightened violin strings can also contribute to strings breaking, often in the same spot. When a string is tightened too much, it can put excessive pressure on the string at certain points, causing it to snap. These pressure points are normally at the nut and bridge of the violin but can happen at any point along the string.
To prevent this from happening, avoid tuning with the pegs if you haven't been shown how to use them yet (by a teacher or string specialist), and never tune a string higher than the pitch it's supposed to be. For example, if you're not confident using your pegs and you're tuning a D string, only use the pegs to get to a C#, and from there use the fine tuners to get to a D.
Check out our video below on 'How to Tune a Violin' for a demonstration of how to correctly use fine tuners and pegs.
Environmental factors can also cause a string to become over-tightened. If the instrument is tuned in a warm environment and then the temperature drops significantly overnight, your strings will contract, making the tension and pitch higher.
If the pegs don't pop out overnight and release the tension, and you apply more tension to the strings in the morning by playing your instrument with a bow, the strings can snap. This can feel like they have seemingly broken for no reason, however, if you live in a cold environment this is something to consider when determining why your strings are breaking.
To prevent this from happening, store your instrument in a safe and controlled environment, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperature changes. We also recommend having your instrument serviced regularly so that a luthier can ensure your pegs are running smoothly.
***One other thing worth mentioning is that occasionally strings can be defective. This is more common with poor quality strings found on cheaper student-grade violins from Aldi, eBay or some general music stores, but can happen on runs of good-quality strings as well.
Whenever you have a broken string, we recommend taking a photo of the string and the area in which it has broken. This way you have a record, to give you and your luthier more insight into why your strings might be breaking. Before determining that a string breakage was caused by a manufacture's defect, however, we must first rule out any other causes of breakage.
In conclusion, there are several reasons why a violin string might be breaking in the same spot every time, including rough or sharp edges, playing style, and overly tightened strings. It's important to have your instrument checked by a professional and to practice proper technique and maintenance to prevent this issue. By taking good care of your instrument, you can ensure that it produces beautiful music for years to come.
Still unsure as to why your strings are continuously breaking in the same spot? Our experienced luthiers are always happy to give some advice.
If you'd like to speak with one of our luthiers about your instrument, or would like to have your instrument serviced, please book an appointment via our online booking form.