Question for experienced violin players?

Question:how often should i change the strings on my violin? i have a full sized shen and the strings that are on it have been there since 05. the part of the strings that i play on are kinda discolored (white, orangery) and dont sound as nice as they use too. does that mean that i have to get new ones? ive been playing for 6 years but have never heard that the strings have to be replaced..

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: how often should i change the strings on my violin? i have a full sized shen and the strings that are on it have been there since 05. the part of the strings that i play on are kinda discolored (white, orangery) and dont sound as nice as they use too. does that mean that i have to get new ones? ive been playing for 6 years but have never heard that the strings have to be replaced..

Yes, violin strings *do* need to be replaced from time to time. I use Helicore steel-rope-core strings on my fiddle, and I replace them about once or twice a year, when the windings on my A string start to come undone, and I notice that its getting harder to keep the strings in tune.

You've had the same strings on your violin for 2 years, and you've noticed that the strings on your fiddle don't sound as good as they used to, and they're discolored. Time to change strings!!!!

In general, strings don't need to be replaced unless they've snapped while over tuning. However, if you feel that your strings need to be replaced because of the poor sound quality, take it to the place where you bought it from and have them look at it. See if it needs to be replaced or not. If you don't trust them (thinking they're trying to scam you for your business), ask your violin teacher and ask for their opinion.

In my experience, the sound of a string tends to imrove with age. I would avoid changing them until I absolutely have to.

i am a violinist too and you need to clean your strings because the resing damage your strings and i think that you have to replace yours strings. dominat string are great {a little spensive}

oh wow.
ive been playing for 11 years and ive never changed the strings except once when one broke.
ive used different strings because i got new rentals as my size went up
i dont think you have to change the strings unless one breaks or they start sounding crappy.

Even students who don't play very much should change strings once a year.

We professional string players replace strings as often as we can afford to. For a professional violinist every three months or so is a good run on a set of strings. If you are playing for your own entertainment and don't play 4-8 hours a day probably once a year wiould be fine for you.