Which strings go to which pegs

They can show you how it's done, and, at the same time, check your fiddle for any problems that could make installing new strings difficult. Later, when you try it on your own, these instructions can serve as a reminder, and will help you get the best out of your new strings while keeping your fiddle safe and happy. If your fiddle is in good working order, changing the strings will be easy. However, warped pegs, warped peg boxes from sitting in the attic , peg holes drilled too small, too big, or very, very frequently in the wrong places, etc.

If you run into problems, get some help. Check out our Guide to String for assistance in selecting the best type of strings for your instrument.

Here, I'll just note that if you are switching from steel strings to synthetic or gut, be sure to check the grooves in the nut, where the strings come out of the peg-box. Synthetic and gut strings are both wider and more fragile than steel. If the grooves have any sharp edges or are too narrow, you can easily strip the winding from your new strings as they pass over the nut. Before we begin, I'll also just note that any major change in string tension, i.

Lastly, be sure to select the appropriate type of E string A on viola for your fine tuner. The lower three strings will always have a ball end. But, some E string fine tuners are designed only to accept a loop end string. Change strings one at a time. Removing all strings at once could cause your soundpost to drop, and makes it harder to keep your bridge set in the right place. Loosen and unwind the tuning peg and remove the string. Then, remove the string from the fine-tuner or tailpiece.

Be careful not to scratch the varnish; string ends can be sharp. Remove the peg from the peg box. Lubricate the worn surface of the peg the shiny rings on the shaft of the peg, where the peg touches the pegbox with Hill Peg Compound. If you don't have this on hand, you can use the traditional method of applying a layer of standard blackboard chalk, followed by a layer of soap regular bar soap , although this is not always as effective.

Avoid the use of peg drops, except in the most severe circumstances. The best solution for a peg that won't hold is to have a professional examine it and, if necessary, re-shape the peg and hole. Replace the peg and turn it back and forth a bit, to work in the lubrication.

Note: Don't mix up the pegs. They are not interchangeable! Use a sharp pencil to lubricate the bridge and nut where the string makes contact. The goal is to allow the string to pass easily over the nut and bridge as it is tuned up to pitch.

If using an E string with a bridge protector little piece of plastic that slides up and down the string then you don't need lubricate the bridge under the E. Visually locate the string hole drilled in the peg.

Be sure you have the correct peg and you're not installing the D string on the G peg, for example. You'll want to install the strings in the correct location, relative to each other. If installing a G, for example, be sure you're installing it to the left of the D string. Depending on the location of the hole in the peg, you may need to loosen the peg and move it out slightly in order to align the whole with the correct location relative to the other strings, before inserting the string you're installing.

Otherwise, you may end up with strings crossing over each other within the pegbox, which simply won't work. Thread the end of the string through the peg-hole so that a small amount approximately mm sticks out the other side of the peg. Start winding the string onto the peg.

Wind the first loop of the string toward the pointy end of the peg, then cross over the first loop and wind the rest toward the opposite end of the peg. Winding over the first loop in this way will "tie" or "lock" the string onto the peg and help keep the string from slipping. Keep winding away from the pointy end of the peg, making a neat row of coils, until the string is the correct length. When finished, you want the string to come just to the edge of the pegbox. If the string is crushed up against the edge, unwind it and try again.

If the string rubs against the pegbox when the peg turns, the peg will constantly push itself loose, the string will be difficult to keep in tune, and the friction may even cause the string to break. Some players, before attaching the string to the tailpiece, will gently bend the string as they run it between thumb and index finger, in order to pre-stretch the core and help the string settle more quickly.

Although, this is preferable to the more common method of stretching the string by pulling on it after installation which can damage the string , for amateurs, we recommend letting the string stretch and settle naturally on its own.

Place the string carefully in the appropriate slot of the nut and bridge. After carefully removing a string remember remove only one string at a time , slide the peg out of the pegbox and hold it up to the light. As you rotate the peg you should be able to see two shiny bands that wrap all the way around the peg without interruption; this where the pegs rub against the pegbox. Continuous contact in this area is a must for the pegs to hold their tuning.

Violin scroll. Changing Violin Strings Tips. The four strings on the violin are: G, D, A, E. Visit our violin tuning page to learn how to tune these strings to the correct pitch. If you need assistance deciding which strings to use, visit our choosing violin strings page.

When replacing all of the violin strings or stringing a violin for the first time, violinists generally replace one violin string at a time. Do not remove all of the violin strings at the same time, or the soundpost could collapse. The tuning pegs are located on the head of your guitar, and change the pitch of the guitar strings. To make the pitch go up, turn the pegs to tighten the strings.

To make the pitch go down, turn the pegs to loosen the strings. Guitars can go out of tune for numerous reasons, for example from warm weather to cold weather, or even playing for a long time.

The best way to tune the guitar is with an electronic Chromatic or Pitch Tuner. You can also tune by ear, and by using another instrument for reference notes. For beginners you might even consider using a free guitar tuning app, that can walk you through each step of the process. Check out Amazon for some great deals! Relative Tuning is a technique many guitar players use to quickly tune a string if it goes out of tune.

Relatively in Tune means you are tuned based off the 6th string, regardless if the 6th string is the correct pitch. To start, press your finger on String 6, Fret 5, and listen to the pitch. Then move down a string and repeat the process for each string String 5, Fret 5, tune open String 4 and so on.