How do you know when you need to change a string/s on a violin?

you'll find firtstly the the tone starts to become a little "tinny", this is caused as the tring begins to stretch. another indicator is if the string keeps going out of tune (my violin does this a lot). again you'll find that the string becomes slacker than usual. but too be honest it is best too look at the pegbox. if the string looks like its beginning to fray, then you need to change it.

When it frays over the bridge

WHEN IT BRAKES Ha''

It can be difficult to tell. Signs are dullness of sound, fraying, and pitch instability. If you play about 3 to 5 hrs a day, I would say you probably need to change them about every 4 months. That is of course just an estimate.

Well, the good quality strings like Dominants start to sound a bit dull. Some strings will refuse to stay in tune as they get older ; they stretch and have to be re-tuned every 15 minutes.

The cheaper quality strings always sound terrible anyway (even when new) so I just leave them on until they break LOL.

Students should change their strings at least once a year, sooner if they play a great deal, or if a string is at all damaged, frayed, etc.

If the strings sound dead, a new set of strings, like Evah Pirazzi will improve your sound enormously:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CQ56XS?&cam...