How to Correctly Change Your Violin Strings
- Rebeca&Leon
- Oct 27
- 2 min read
Sooner or later, every violinist needs to change their strings, whether one breaks during practice or they’ve simply lost their shine. If you’ve never done it before, it can feel a little intimidating… but don’t worry. Changing strings is easy once you understand the steps, and it’s one of the best things you can do to keep your instrument sounding fresh and alive.
Below you’ll find everything you need to know, and at the end of this article, you’ll find a link to our step-by-step YouTube lesson where we show you exactly how to correctly change your violin strings.
Why Changing Strings Matters
Strings don’t just break — they age. Over time, they lose their tension, response, and tone quality. Old strings can make even the best violin sound dull or uneven.
Changing them regularly (every 6 months, depending on how much you play) keeps your sound clear, bright, and in tune.
What You’ll Need
Before you start, prepare:
A new set of strings
Your violin
A tuner
Step-by-Step: How to Change Violin Strings
⚠️ Important: Always change one string at a time, never remove all four at once, or the bridge and soundpost can shift.
1️⃣ Loosen and Remove the Old String
Turn the tuning peg slowly to release tension.
When it’s loose enough, remove it from the peg and the tailpiece.
Wipe away any dust from the fingerboard and bridge while the string is off.
2️⃣ Thread the New String
Insert the string’s ball end (or loop end) into the tailpiece.
Guide the other end through the tuning peg hole.
3️⃣ Start Winding
Turn the peg slowly so the string wraps neatly toward the pegbox wall.
Keep even tension and make sure the windings don’t overlap.
The string should enter the nut groove and sit properly on the bridge.
4️⃣ Tune Gently
Bring the string close to pitch, but not full tension yet.
Give it a few gentle stretches along its length to help it settle.
Tune again — it will need several small adjustments until it stabilizes.
Repeat for each string, one at a time, until your violin is fully restrung and tuned.
Tips for Better Results
✔️ Always check that the bridge stays straight while tuning.
✔️ If the pegs slip, apply a bit of peg compound or gently push inward while turning.
✔️ After changing all strings, play open strings for a few minutes to help them stretch evenly.
If you’d like to see each step in real time, watch our detailed video tutorial here:
Do you want to have the most beautiful sound that makes people say: "Wow, you play amazing"? Check here our Tested Vibrato Learning Method!
Enjoy your music! 🎶
Check out our E-books with daily practical exercises:
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