How to Identify Violin Strings
The violin, like other musical instruments in its family, contains four strings, G D A and E. Each string has five tones that separate it from the previous string. For instance, the D string is five tones higher then G string. It is easy to identify violin strings as they can be recognized by appearance and pitch.
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Instructions
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Hold the violin up so that you can look at the strings located over the fingerboard. Go to the G-String. This is the one on the far left side of the fingerboard. Notice that compared to the other strings, it is thicker. When strings are thick, it takes longer for them to vibrate and they tend to produce deeper sounds than thinner strings. See this for yourself. Place your fingertip under the G string and gently pluck the string. You can hear that it has a rather deep pitch.
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Go to the D string located immediately to the right of the G string. Note that this string is a little thinner than the G. Pluck it in the same manner as the first string. Note that it sounds is a little higher, in fact it has a pitch five tones higher than the G.
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Go to the A string located to the immediate right of the D. Pluck this string. Again, as it is thinner, it has a higher tone than the D string.
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Go to the E string to the right of the A. This is the thinnest string and can at times be difficult to tune due to its size. Pluck this string in the same manner as the others. Note its high pitched tone.
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Tips & Warnings
Strings may also be identified by their thread color. For example, the makers of Dominant perlon strings use colored thread at the bottom--near the end loop--and at the top of the string. To identify a string, you can use the string ID database on the Quinn Violins website (see Resources below). To be certain that the string you have on your violin is one of the strings listed, you will most likely need to get a sample of the strings Quinn lists on its website. Look at the strings or play them to see if they are similar to what's on your instrument.
