Whistling E Strings

April 29, 2013 at 5:10 PM

Whistling E strings can be a royal pain in the neck but there is hope and help. In this video, I discuss what can be contributing factors to the whistling E string. Make sure to replace your E string regularly. Old E strings will whistle - I replaced my E string right after this video. If the E string is more than three months old and you practice or perform on a regular basis be sure to change the E string at least every three months. E strings tend to get worn out before the other strings.

I also discuss "Going Tubeless" and how to "Go Tubeless" with your E string in this video.

Enjoy the video :)

Happy Practicing!

Heather Broadbent

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From Roger St-Pierre
Posted on April 30, 2013 at 3:01 AM

Very informative video, tx, at last someone who demonstrates what a whistling E String is, and tips how to avoid it. I have noticed one thing that I do consistently, which causes the E String to whistle. It is lowering my elbow as I draw the bow downward on the E string, hence changing the angle of the bow relative to the string. I think what happens is as the string begins to vibrate in one direction from the initial pull, the changing bow angle causes the string to be pulled in different directions than the initial vibration, hence cancelling it, which result in whistling. I usually avoid the whistling by making a conscious effort not to continue lowering my elbow as I draw the bow. I guess any string could whistle if you were able to change the bow angle sufficiently while drawing it, which isn't quite as easy on any string other than the E String. Also, lower pitch string will have a lower vibration frequency and higher amplitude, which is perhaps less easily "cancelled" by drawing the bow in a different angle (at least that's my theory ;-)

From Erik O'Malley
Posted on April 30, 2013 at 4:02 AM

Thank you. I recently encountered this problem when I was practicing and I couldn't for the life of me figure out why it was happening.

From Peter Currivan
Posted on April 30, 2013 at 5:25 AM

Nice video. I don't think you mention that accelerating the bow during the string change will also cause the whistle. I can't find the post now where I read this. Decelerating the bow seems to work very well to avoid the whistle, given you aren't accidentally touching the string, but of course that is difficult in fast passages.

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Whistling E Strings

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