So I went to practise my violin yesterday... and something funny happened. I took it out of its case and went to play it, and the E string fell off! It didn't break, just fell off. Then I checked the other strings and they were all so loose they must have been about an octave too low. I thought that the pegs had just been knocked in the case, so I tried to tighten the strings but they wouldn't tighten any further and I was afraid of snapping them so didn't force it.

Do I need a whole set of new strings, or is it something to do with the pegs, or am I doing it wrong and should just wait to ask my teacher?

Thanks!

A sudden change in temperature can cause pegs to slip dramatically! If your pegs are a bit tight, that might be why you are having trouble retuning it...

Yes, perhaps the snow has affected it! Haha...

I don't know, the pegs are very tight but if I turn them the other way, the strings become even more flat (and we're talking more than just a tone- i don't know how flat they are exactly, but it's at least three notes).

Now I can't practise until my lesson tomorrow

Something similar happened to me. When I first got Vicki last week, I tried to move the C-String and it all came loose and refused to tighten again. It didn't come off, but was unplayable. Just like you, I was having my lesson the next day too, so I didn't have too long to wait, but even one day is FOREVER when you're impatient to get on!

I think some or all of my strings have come out of tune since my last lesson last Thurs, so I don't know how well I am doing at finding the right note. I should be at my lesson now, but she got delayed elsewhere with the snow. So, waiting until next Tues now.... I daren't try and re-tune Vicki as I'm afraid of goofing it and being unable to practice for the next 5 days! I meant to ask her how to do it today, but no chance now.

It sounds as if you might have a slipping tailgut.

So what do I do to it?

Well, you need to find out first if that's what it is. They are quite easy to spot. As you tune up, the pitch keeps slipping down again, sort of in jerks (as the screws slip up the tailgut). Replacing the tailgut is very easy and they only cost a couple of pounds, but of course if it isn't that, you will be no better off.

I'd suggest asking your teacher, and if it does look as if there is a fault, get in touch with the retailer, and make noises about the Sale of Goods Act if you have to.

(One of these days I will say something like that and the person will come back with "actually I bought it from you!" )

Liz

Ah ok, thanks!

I shall ask my teacher tonight.