Adding Graphite: Changing Violin Strings

Video Transcript

"Hi I'm David Kaynor for expertvillage.com. I'm talking about changing strings on a violin. Now I have got the string roughly where it needs to be, this is where the pencil comes in. The tip of the pencil, it's considered, some people think this isn't very important, but somebody once told me it was and I have done it ever since. A little graphite, a little pencil lead goes into the notch in the bridge, and I even rub some on the underside of the string. The idea is that if the string is able to move freely, it will have a longer life because the wrappings won't get stressed and pull apart right at the contact point with the bridge; and the same is true up at the other end, at the nut. There is a small notch in the nut; and so I'm running the tip of the pencil into the notch, and then I'm going to even rub it on the underside of the string a little bit, and this will lubricate the string somewhat. Now when I tighten it, it will slide more freely through the nut notch. I tend to tighten the strings gradually rather then all at once. I have heard it really doesn't make a difference, but for me, it makes me feel good even if doesn't matter to the string. So I pluck the string as I tighten the peg, and I also support the peg box opposite the peg, because I'm pushing in slightly as I turn, so as to maximize the friction between the peg and the peg box. You can here the pitch rising. It's got a long ways to go. Its got to go up four more tones. You can here stretching as you go. It is going to have to go up one more tone."