Lia Zito: Violin / Fiddle Accessory Resources

lia zito teacher and performer violin fiddle anchorage alaska

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The basics can be bought wherever you can buy instruments. If you're looking for the uncommon, a wider selection, or mail-order bargains, I recommend
Concord Music for fast, friendly service, and really cheap shipping. For the things Concord doesn't have I will try Shar Music. I don't like that they don't quote shipping prices to Alaska on the webpage, but if you follow through with the order the shipping charges have never been unreasonable.

Strings

There's no way to make universal recommendations for strings, because they all react differently on different instruments and in different climates. Currently, I use Warchal Karneols and Thomastic Visions. The Karneols are the ringiest (is that a word?) string I've ever played and make my fiddle sound almost like a hardanger they resonate so much. That's not for everybody. Visions are clear, powerful, colorful, but withouth the metalic sound of Dominants (which I hate). The Infeld Reds are a lot like the Visions but bring out dark and warm tones.

Crystals haven't been favorites of mine before, but often recommended by fiddlers, they are warmer than Dominants and less expensive than Obligatos. I've had good experience with using them to sweeten up the tone of student instruments, but they can be disappointing if you are already used to playing something like the Obligatos or Evah Pirazzis.

Pirastro Tonicas are a good choice for fractional student instruments, I like the sound and the price is usually less than Dominants.

Helicores are a standard fiddler's choice. Steel cores make them very stable in tuning, responsive, and long lasting. Unlike other steel strings they also have a very warm, pleasing tone.

On my last instrument I used Pirastro Obligatos, a common fix for an instrument which is too bright or harsh, and they didn't make me love the fiddle but I did love the strings.

For more on strings, check out Strings Magazine Guide to 30 Brands of Violin Strings and Ifshin Violins Guide to Choosing & Using Strings. Strangly enough, I've just noticed that both these articles are written by the same person.

Rosin

Mostly, just don't use too much, and keep it cleaned off of your strings and violin regularly. Hill Dark is good, popular, easy to find, and inexpensive. I use Tartini Green. I have several brands if you'd like to try them. Maybe you'll be able to tell what all the fuss was about -- I couldn't.

Recording Gadgets

If you want to learn traditional music it is a good idea to have a recorder for grabbing tunes at sessions & recording lessons & workshops. Lots of little mp3 players have internal mics for recording voice memos, and for learning purposes those are great. For better quality sound check out Edirol's R1 and R09 recorders. For complete detail, read this page from the Vermont Folklife Center on various field recorders.

Humidifiers

I used to use internal humidifiers on my violins but a friendly luthier convinced me not to. He says he's opened up instruments to see water damage near where the humidifier sits and dry problems everywhere else. Could just be operator eror but all the same, I'm following his advice and using a case humidifier instead. Planet waves makes the only one I've seen for sale locally. read more (I haven't done this myself, but when I ever get around to it I probably will.)

Software

Get the Amazing Slowdowner!
iTunes: Here's an explanation of how I put playlists to work for me.