Quick And Easy Violin Mute

Quick And Easy Violin Mute

Quick and Easy Violin Mute

Most widely available violin strings fall into one of three major categories: 1) steel; 2) gut core wrapped in various different metals; and 3) synthetic (i.e. plastic) core, wrapped in various different metals.

With its Passione String Set, Pirastro has introduced a fourth category: a gut and synthetic core hybrid (wrapped in various metals). Pirastro claims this product has been many years in the making, and that it truly unique. From my experience with traditional gut core strings, (such as Pirastro Oliv or Gold Label), they can seem quite unresponsive, feel odd and soft under the fingers, and “die” quickly (as might be expected from a product incorporating organic material). With the Passione set, however Pirastro has sought to combine the warmth of gut with the longer shelf-life, stability of pitch, and easy response of synthetic core strings. But do they succeed? My feeling is yes and no.

When first installed, the Passiones are quite responsive — aside from the G, which feels a touch loose (i.e. less responsive). For a few months, they do seem to add warmth and color that I have not seen in any other synthetic core offerings, while, for the most part, retaining playability consistent with other synthetic-core strings. However, perhaps again due to the “organic” component, I thought they lost their luster rather quickly.

Which is rather unfortunate, given that these are among the priciest sets on the market. Additionally, despite their relatively easy response, they still feel a bit soft under the fingers, which for some violinists may feel comfortable but for others is a very foreign sensation. Finally, another quality of the Passione set is that they are lower in tension, and thus may be optimal for certain violins (especially highly arched violins) that can tend respond to higher tension with a choked and muted sound.

I would recommend a Passione set to the violinist who has been searching for that “gut sound” but strongly prefers the tension and response of modern synthetic core strings.

Lisa Ann Berman, M.M.
Masters of Music in Violin Performance, Yale School of Music http://www.simplyviolin.com

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